2025 NWSL season preview: Stars, storylines and teams to watch after league’s biggest year

Ever since a 2021 scandal upended the National Women’s Soccer League and brave players forced it to evolve, the league’s trajectory has been upward and steady. Three straight years of attendance records and expansion fees now cracking nine figures are evidence that the NWSL, more so than ever before, is on solid ground.

And so, as it enters 2025, the apparent goal is to accelerate.

It’s explosive growth, the type that indelibly changed the WNBA, a league that the NWSL has looked to as it plots its path.

Commissioner Jessica Berman was asked late last year about that comparison, and about replicating women’s basketball’s mainstream breakthrough. “I think the takeaways from the WNBA’s success are clear,” she said, and then she made a point that she’s reiterated throughout this offseason: “No. 1, you have to create stars. You have to help fans to relate to these incredible athletes in order to drive people to prioritize watching and attending games, and really reach beyond your core audience. That happened for them, and it’s resulted in incredible growth.”

“I think the second takeaway, which is also really important, is that this didn’t come out of nowhere,” Berman continued. “Caitlin Clark has been emerging as a star for three straight seasons. Of course, she transcended this year … But it was a build over several years. And these things don’t happen overnight. It takes time to build the kind of authentic stars and stories that will resonate the way that she has.”

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The NWSL, in that sense, enters its 2025 season trying to build. Its problem, one the WNBA will probably never face, is that women’s soccer’s stars mostly play outside America. As Berman spoke about “storytelling through star-making” and “leveraging the power of our incredible athletes,” Naomi Girma, widely regarded as the sport’s best defender, moved from San Diego to English club Chelsea for a record $1.1 million fee.

Other mid-20s stars have also departed. And while the exodus has perhaps been overblown — it’s neither new nor an existential threat to the league — it does represent a challenge. European teams, who aren’t burdened by salary caps, can woo stars. The NWSL’s strength, supported by its salary cap, has long been competitive balance and parity … which contradicts the very concept of building business around a select few standout players.

The NWSL, to be clear, does have a few. It has the GOAT. It has the USWNT’s “Triple Espresso.” But its stars in 2025, as ever, will be its teams.

So that, naturally, is where we’ll begin our preview of the league’s 2025 season.

The 5 most interesting teams to watch

Orlando Pride — After smashing records and lifting the league’s two major trophies in 2024, what could the Pride possibly do for an encore? History and logic suggest some regression is coming. But then again, the core of the team that soared from seventh to first last year remains intact. Its spine is unchanged. Barbra Banda and Marta should still torment opposing defenses. Haley Carter and Seb Hines, the GM and head coach, are still running the show. There’s no reason Orlando can’t defend its maiden title(s).

Washington Spirit — If and when healthy, the Spirit’s starting 11 will be the envy of the NWSL. It’s loaded with experience. It’s brimming with bright young stars. It already featured seven U.S. national teamers, including Trinity Rodman and 2024 Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune. Now, add in a fully integrated Leicy Santos, plus offseason signings Rebeca Bernal and Narumi Miura. Give them all a full year to jell under former Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez. Once Bethune returns from her meniscus injury, Washington has all the makings of a juggernaut — and a wonderfully entertaining one at that. (Even without Bethune and Rodman, Washington topped Orlando in last week’s Challenge Cup.)

Kansas City Current — Underlying metrics pegged KC as the league’s best team in 2024, even as Orlando rolled to a near-unbeaten season. And CPKC Stadium instantly became a fortress. Vlatko Andonovski proved he can still coach. Temwa Chawinga proved she’s a superstar. Lorena, signed from Grêmio in Brazil, should solve some of last year’s goalkeeping woes, and the Current should contend again in 2025.

North Carolina Courage — The Courage, playing in a mid-size market at an unremarkable stadium, with one of the league’s lowest attendance averages, are never going to be mistaken for a glamour club. But on the field, they’re all sorts of intriguing. They already have a strong back five. They replaced playmaking midfielder Kerolin (who left for Manchester City) with Jaedyn Shaw, who has even more final-third upside. With a full offseason to work in 2024 summer signings Aline Gomes and Cortnee Vine, North Carolina could sneak into the Shield race.

Gotham FC — Who the heck knows what to make of the 2023 champs? A deluge of winter departures — Crystal Dunn, Lynn Biyendolo, Yazmeen Ryan, Jenna Nighswonger, Delanie Sheehan, Maitane López — compelled GM Yael Averbuch West to write an open letter to supporters, in which she acknowledged that the offseason had been “a time of uncertainty for our fans.” But she did add Brazilian star Gabi Portilho and a second strong midfielder in Jaelin Howell. She took advantage of the abolishment of the NWSL draft to sign several coveted rookies straight from college. Gotham is no longer the “superteam” that it looked like 12 months ago, but … might it be just as good?

The California chaos

A year ago, three California clubs seemed to represent the future of the NWSL. The San Diego Wave were breaking attendance records. Angel City, at $250 million, was the league’s most valuable franchise. Bay FC, before it had even played a game, was touting unprecedented investment and talking about becoming “an iconic global brand.”

A year later …

• The Wave, amid allegations that club president Jill Ellis had fostered a toxic, abusive work environment, have lost their three most popular players; made a questionable coaching hire; and appear, on paper, to be one of the league’s worst teams. (Ellis, by the way, jumped ship to work for FIFA — two months after five former Wave employees sued the club.)

• Angel City looks just as undermanned and doesn’t even have a permanent head coach.

• Bay FC is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. First, it hired Graeme Abel as a scouting director — four months after Abel left the University of Oregon, having been accused by at least a dozen former players of abuse. Amid backlash, Abel resigned less than a week after Bay FC hired him. Then, the following week, the San Francisco Chronicle revealed that head coach Albertin Montoya — a surprising and seemingly underqualified hire ahead of Bay’s inaugural season — is the subject of an NWSL investigation after at least two former players accused him of creating a “toxic” culture.

As Berman met with media on the eve of the 2025 season, those allegations — not momentum or stars — were the main subject of questioning.

The 4 can’t-miss stars

Marta, Orlando Pride — At 38 years old, Marta is still one of the league’s biggest stars and the face of the Pride. After winning the NWSL championship and the Shield off a stunning 2024 season, Marta had the chance to retire on top. But the Brazilian forward and mononymous icon isn’t done yet: After tricking people into thinking she might be hanging up her cleats, she instead signed a two-year deal to stay in Orlando.

In 2024, Marta returned to an elite level of play after a few down years. Her 11 goals were fourth most in the league; she scored one of the best goals of the year during the NWSL semifinals, crossing up three Current defenders and the goalie to help secure the Pride’s win. Her minutes aren’t slowing down either: Marta played in 26 games last season, putting in more total minutes than she had since 2017. In an additionally iconic move, Marta even won the first-ever Marta Award, a FIFA honor given for the best goal in women’s soccer, and named for the Brazilian herself.

All of this points to another big year for Marta as the Pride defends its titles. Expect more goals and more big moments from the veteran forward in 2025.

Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit — Rodman, the most well-known and creative of the Triple Espresso, needs no introduction. She’s been a household name since she entered the league. What is worth noting, though, is that 2024 was her most productive season yet. Olympic gold medal aside, she developed into arguably the league’s most well-rounded forward. After a long, grueling year, she’s still working her way back to full fitness for the season ahead; but once she gets there, watch out.

Barbra Banda, Orlando Pride — Banda, the second-most expensive forward in women’s soccer history, lived up to her price tag and then some in 2024, her first year in Orlando. And if there were whispers that the NWSL had figured her out — she notched only one goal and one assist in 10 regular-season games after the Olympics — the 24-year-old Zambian striker hushed them in the playoffs. She scored in every round, and tallied the only goal of the final. Don’t be surprised if she builds on last season’s 17 goals, and contends for the Golden Boot with …

Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current — Chawinga, last season’s MVP, took the NWSL by storm in 2024. And there is absolutely nothing to suggest she can’t do it again.

Potential breakout stars

Ally Sentnor, Utah Royals — Last year, Sentnor, as a rookie forward, was a major bright spot in a bleak Royals season. Although she lost out on 2024 Rookie of the Year to the Spirit’s Bethune — another brilliant young player who is sure to make a comeback of her own after a midseason meniscus injury — Sentnor is only getting better. The 21-year-old forward scored three goals and four assists during the regular season last year, but it’s her work with the USWNT that points to a potential breakout. Sentnor made her senior USWNT debut in November and, in the months since, won U.S. Soccer’s 2024 Young Player of the Year, got her first USWNT start and scored her first USWNT goals (plural!).

Both of Sentnor’s goals came during the SheBelieves Cup, with a long-distance banger in the team’s game against Colombia and a brilliant equalizer in the U.S.’ eventual loss to Japan. In that tournament, Sentnor proved that she has the guts and the skill to take those kinds of shots. That kind of energy — if Utah can find a way to harness it — will be invaluable moving forward.

Hal Hershfelt, Washington Spirit — Just one year in, Hershfelt, a defensive midfielder, has established herself as a key part of a stacked Washington Spirit team. Last season, Hershfelt managed to have a breakout rookie season on a Spirit squad teeming with talented rookies. She scored three goals throughout the season, but her true impact is beyond scoring. At just 23 years old, Hershfelt is one of the most net-positive players in the league; in other words, goals are more likely to happen when she’s on the field.

Hershfelt put in a lot of minutes last year as a rookie. She has strengths on both ends of the field, and is one of the top players in the NWSL in terms of blocking. Hershfelt’s excellent first season earned her a nod on the NWSL Best Second XI team, one of only two rookies — along with teammate Croix Bethune — to make the list. Hershfelt is an anchor for the Spirit, especially alongside iron defender Tara McKeown (who, for what it’s worth, might be one of the best center backs in the league now that Naomi Girma has gone across the pond). She’ll be an exciting player to watch as she grows into her role and makes an impact for Washington on both sides of the ball.

Racheal Kundananji, Bay FC — Kundananji’s goal-creation numbers were somewhat underwhelming in 2024, her first season stateside. But her skills and audacity are unmatched. Just look at this …

If the 24-year-old can add some efficiency and sharpness in the final third to her game, she could be an MVP contender.

Familiar faces, new places

Jaedyn Shaw, North Carolina Courage — After three years with the San Diego Wave, Jaedyn Shaw is traveling cross-country and joining the North Carolina Courage. In an offseason with some big trades, this one was one of the biggest and most unexpected: As Alex Morgan retired and Naomi Girma led a trend of NWSL players heading overseas, Shaw would’ve been the face of the team moving forward. Instead, she will have a fresh start with the Courage, a solid team that was in need of a player like Shaw to become truly great.

Shaw, a creative, technically gifted forward, will play atop a North Carolina midfield with by far the best passing accuracy of the league in 2024. In particular, Shaw and Ashley Sanchez, who was unexpectedly traded to the team ahead of last season, will be a duo to watch: Both stars are versatile on the attack and will be able to create key chances for each other.

Lynn Biyendolo, Seattle Reign — 2024 was not a good year for the Seattle Reign. Just one year removed from an NWSL finals appearance, the Reign struggled on both sides of the field and finished second to last in the league. Enter Lynn Biyendolo, the 31-year-old forward and the potential savior of the Reign this season. Biyendolo was traded from Gotham in December, requesting the trade in order to be closer to her family on the West Coast.

For years, one of the Reign’s biggest problems has been finishing. Seattle has one of the better passing accuracy rates in the NWSL, but scored only 27 goals off 206 attempts. Biyendolo can help the Reign with its biggest problem, which is actually getting the ball into the back of the net. The forward is adept at both creating chances and finishing them, and is great under pressure; she will be exactly what Seattle needs moving forward.

Yazmeen Ryan, Houston Dash — Four years after joining the league, Yazmeen Ryan finally had her breakout year last season. The versatile player built herself as a key piece of the Gotham midfield, and was named to the NWSL’s Best XI second team; she also made her U.S. senior team debut in 2024 and has already emerged as a USWNT regular. No wonder Houston wanted her, making the trade with Gotham in exchange for a reported transfer fee of $400,000.

Ryan will now bring her expertise to a Dash team that finished dead last in 2024 with a largely absent head coach. Part of Houston’s offseason strategy seemed to be pulling players from a Gotham team that was overflowing with talent: Ryan will play alongside former Gotham teammates Delanie Sheehan, who signed with the Dash as a free agent, and goalkeeper Abby Smith, who was traded to the team in January. Sheehan and Ryan play incredibly well off each other, and are likely to anchor Houston’s midfield this coming season.

Messiah Bright, Houston Dash — It’s been a strange couple of years for Messiah Bright, a promising forward who has now been traded twice in two years. Bright started out with the Orlando Pride, and was a nominee for 2023 Rookie of the Year. But after just one year, she requested a trade, ending up in Angel City. Things didn’t quite work out for Bright in L.A. either: She scored one regular season goal last year, compared to six in her year with the Pride.

Now, Bright will be on her third team in three seasons. The rebuilding Dash acquired the 25-year-old forward for $100,000 in intra-league funds, plus an additional $50,000 in performance-based incentives, adding her to a roster full of other recent acquisitions (see Yazmeen Ryan above). On paper, there’s a lot that Bright can bring to Houston, especially in terms of creating progression; she’s also skilled technically, and is strong at tackling and winning in the air. Maybe the Dash is where things will finally click for Bright, and she’ll be able to stay a little bit longer.

Savy King, Angel City FC — After just one season with Bay FC, young defender Savannah “Savy” King was traded to Angel City FC last month. King was selected by Bay FC second overall in last year’s NWSL Draft, but never really had a chance for a breakout rookie season. Bay FC may have made the playoffs, but there was a disconnect on the field — a hallmark of many expansion teams — that made it difficult for King’s skills to really shine.

Now, the defender is getting that chance with Angel City. King is young, having just turned 20 in February, but is already a skilled and versatile player. She can play out wide or in the center; she can tackle and intercept, and can assist and create shooting chances just as well. ACFC paid Bay FC $300,000 (over the next two years) to get King, and has already signed a two-year extension with the defender, so the team clearly sees the value that she can bring. Angel City has been looking for its missing piece for a few years now; maybe King will be the difference-maker that the team really needs.

Predictions

Who’s your pick for the Shield?

Henry Bushnell: It’s really, really tough to look past the Spirit. (And really, really tough to bet against Orlando after last season.) But I’m going to mix things up and go with Kansas City. I think they’ll destroy opposing defenses just like last season, and be a bit stingier at the back.

Kari Anderson: The NWSL is an impossible league to guess about — the teams are too unpredictable and balanced to know for sure who’s going to come out on top. But my gut is telling me the Spirit. Washington’s rookie-led squad from last year is a little wiser and a little bit tougher this time around, and they have one of the more well-rounded rosters in the league. Plus, Trinity Rodman always plays best when she has something to prove.

Of the clubs who missed last year’s playoffs, who can contend? (In other words, who could be this year’s Orlando Pride?)

KA: The Houston Dash have made some of the biggest offseason moves, essentially picking Gotham’s pocket for three of its 2023 starters — Ryan, Sheehan and Smith — and making other key acquisitions as well. After a lifeless 2024 campaign, those players are going to help anchor the roster as the team builds up from scratch. Whether or not the Dash will be a true contender will depend on how the team jells in the first few months of the season, but there’s a real chance there.

HB: I’ll give the no-fun answer: this will be the rare NWSL season that’s fairly predictable. A few teams will jump into the top eight, but nobody will make a multi-tier leap into trophy contention like Orlando did last year (and like Gotham did the year before).

Who will win MVP?

HB: Barbra Banda, ever so slightly over Temwa Chawinga. With Rodman as a close third, in part because she and other American players will get a proper mid-season break that European and African peers won’t have. But Banda is primed for a monster season.

KA: It might be Rodman’s year. Chawinga and Banda will certainly shine once again, but this will be the first time in several years that Rodman will be able to play in the NWSL without the distractions of a major USWNT tournament. Rodman has good chemistry with this Spirit roster, and I think that she will take full advantage of it.

Who’s your pick to win the title?

KA: I wasn’t planning on going all in on the Washington Spirit, but this really might be the year that Michele Kang’s investments come to fruition. Orlando will play big again this season, as will Kansas City, but the Spirit roster will be playing with a chip on their shoulder that will drive them through the fall. Washington proved in the NWSL Challenge Cup that it can go head-to-head against its biggest foes and come out with a narrow victory; That may end up being the story throughout the season, and it will serve them well in the playoffs.

HB: Washington. I’m not sure they’ll be dominant immediately — which is why I don’t think they’ll win the Shield. But they will be by the fall. I’ll take them over Orlando in the final, with Kansas City and North Carolina as the other semifinalists.