National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman said 2026 is the “next chapter of growth” for the league. With twice the number of teams it started with in 2013, the NWSL is in a period of substantial growth off the field and a moment of inflection on it.
While some things feel inevitable — Gotham FC finding a way to defy the odds, Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga scoring goals and the league expanding — the NWSL has also taught us time and time again that chaos will always prevail. Sure, Kansas City feels like the dominant force to aim for. But with Chawinga’s availability in question and an influx of attacking pieces under new head coach Chris Armas, the top regular spot may be up for grabs. The former issue also might impact the MVP race with a Chawinga three-peat on the line.
This season will likely see the return of Triple Espresso in some form. Two shots of that trio, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson, will face off against each other on Friday in the season opener when the Washington Spirit hosts the Portland Thorns. But how many goals will they combine for?
Speaking of high-profile names, the league created the High Impact Player rule this offseason in part to keep players like Rodman in the league. However, it will not keep everyone stateside, and that’s OK. The question is, who will go abroad with the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the horizon?
The Athletic’s women’s soccer panel of Theo Lloyd Hughes, Tamerra Griffin and Melanie Anzidei takes on these questions, and more, with predictions that are bound to ring true come November … right?
The Washington Spirit have made it to the last two NWSL Championships. (Brandon Vallance / Getty Images)
Who will win the NWSL Championship? Who will win the Shield?
Theo Lloyd Hughes: Washington Spirit, Championship /Gotham FC, Shield
For me, there is still a strong top four that will challenge for these trophies. Who takes them comes down to whether Gotham can find more consistency, the Washington Spirit coalesce a best XI that includes Trinity Rodman, the Orlando Pride have a fit and firing Barbra Banda, or the Kansas City Current are ready to go again after such an emphatic record-breaking year. The Pride showed last year that a dip in form can often follow breaking records, so I’m gonna say that the Current will narrowly miss out on the Shield, and that Gotham will take the regular season crown. For the Championship, this has to finally be the Spirit’s year.
Tamerra Griffin: Orlando Pride, Championshi/Spirit, Shield
I don’t know if I’m emotionally prepared for the Spirit not to claim some hardware this season after back-to-back league finalist campaigns. Despite a major offseason exit from midfielder Croix Bethune and a long-term absence of goalkeeper and captain Aubrey Kingsbury due to pregnancy, I can see them claiming one of the two major titles. I’m leaning toward the Shield; between attack-minded players like Gift Monday, Rosemonde Kouassi, Leicy Santos, Sofia Cantore, and Rodman, it’s hard to imagine the Spirit losing too many regular-season games because of their ability to simply outscore their opponents. To paraphrase Denzel Washington, the Spirit needs to leave with something.
As for the champions, if Orlando can unlock that Marta-Banda-Lizbeth Ovalle trifecta, I think their chances are solid. The San Diego Wave could be contenders, too, if they’re able to build upon last season’s promise.
Melanie Anzidei: Gotham FC, Champions/Spirit, Shield
Gotham will win its third NWSL Championship. As for the Shield? I’m giving that to the Spirit. There is something about this Gotham team — one filled with players vying for a spot on Emma Hayes’ World Cup roster — that has me believing they’ll find their rhythm in 2026. Ask any player, they’ll say their playoff run wasn’t their best — and they still won the league. With little change in their roster during their short offseason and a seasoned core that is only getting better, I have high hopes for them. In that same realm, I think the Spirit will be hungry for a Championship and they will be the most consistent team this year once they adjust to a season without Kingsbury.
Amanda Gutierres is part of the Boston Legacy’s inaugural roster. (Luiza Moraes / Getty Images)
Which NWSL expansion team will go the farthest?
Lloyd-Hughes: Denver Summit
My head says Denver Summit, my heart says Boston Legacy. Look, there’s no doubt that, in terms of NWSL experience and proven players, the Summit has the stronger roster on paper. And that’s even before you add the summer arrival of USWNT midfielder Lindsey Heaps. The Legacy’s strategic vision of young, technical, and passionate players, predominantly with experience in international leagues, is fascinating. In terms of the coaches, I don’t think there is much to separate Nick Cushing in Denver and Filipa Patão in Boston, as both have yet to coach in the NWSL. I would love to see Boston’s global gamble pay off, but the Summit is the safer bet to push for playoffs.
Griffin: Boston Legacy
Boston Legacy have the better shade of green on their kits, and looking good means playing good. I don’t make the rules.
On a more serious note, as the NWSL continues to grow, I think a player’s experience playing in the league carries less and less weight than simply being able to ball. Experience certainly matters, but the league is so much more international now; what was once considered a culture shock of physicality and transitional play isn’t quite as potent anymore. Boston has a younger, cosmopolitan squad and, like Denver, a new-to-the-league manager in Filipa Patao. I don’t necessarily see them breaking into the playoffs in their inaugural season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they click faster than most expect.
Anzidei: Summit
I am so excited for Boston Legacy’s debut. I am so excited for the fun style of football I’m expecting from them. But I have to go with the Denver Summit. This team has a NWSL veteran core that will function as the heart of this team, with Janine Sonis, Kaleigh Kurtz, Abby Smith. The benefit of nixing the league’s expansion draft is that every player signed by Denver wants to be in Denver. Pair that with the grit that comes with representing your shiny new home team for several of their signings, you have a lethal combination. Should we even mention Heaps? Remember how she had functioned as somewhat of a super sub for Emma Hayes during the SheBelieves Cup? Her arrival in June will certainly have a similar impact for Denver.
Chicago Stars midfielder Jameese Joseph is part of the team’s recent success. (Melissa Tamez / Imagn Images)
Which team is best positioned for a summer revival after the June break?
Lloyd Hughes: Spirit (plus, Houston Dash)
The devil works hard, but Spirit president of soccer operations Haley Carter works even harder. I’m looking at Washington to keep shuffling the deck in the summer months. Bethune’s exit helped balance the books for the Claudia Martinez transfer, but there are still a lot of ways to get creative when it comes to transfer budget instalments and salary.
Carter has never been afraid to spend money, and she often completed bold transfers midseason while with Orlando (Carson Pickett in August 2024, Ovalle in August 2025). Spirit fans will also be acutely aware that Hal Hershfelt and Leicy Santos are in the final years of their contracts, which means extensions or potential departures.
My other sneaky tip is the Houston Dash. Their offseason has been defined by getting a lot of young talent in the door from the college game. That should have left a hearty transfer budget and salary space to sign a star in the summer.
Griffin: Gotham, Kansas City Current, Spirit, or San Diego Wave
I have already started stretching my limbs to cover the summer transfer window; you could field a world-class roster just from the Europe-based players whose contracts are expiring in a few months, from Alexia Putellas of Barcelona to Arsenal’s Katie McCabe, who has already been reported to have attracted attention from NWSL clubs. And let’s not forget USWNT forward Catarina Macario, who might wait until her season with Chelsea officially concludes before leaving.
One thing that remains clear in the NWSL is the line between clubs that can do big business and those that can’t or don’t want to. If the High Impact Player rule is still in effect by then, I could see Gotham, Kansas City, Washington, or San Diego getting huge summer bumps.
Anzidei: Chicago Stars
I think the Chicago Stars will be thriving off the new home buzz in Evanston, and that resurgence will be fueled even more by Mallory Swanson’s inevitable return. There will be excitement around this team. But after losing Ludmila to San Diego Wave in the offseason and a last-place finish in 2025, I think the team will be hard at work behind the scenes to make sure 2026 is actually the breakout year they’ve been building towards.
Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson reunited at media day before the season. (Luiza Moraes / NWSL via Getty Images)
Which member of Triple Espresso will score the most goals? What will their combined total be in November?
Lloyd Hughes: Sophia Wilson, 32
It has to be Sophia Wilson, right? Swanson is further behind on her return to play, and Rodman isn’t as much of a consistent goalscorer as the other two even when she’s fully fit. It will be interesting to see how the Portland Thorns get on without Sam Coffey, but Olivia Moultrie will give great service for Wilson to break double figures at least. I am going to say the three combine for 32 goals.
Griffin: Wilson, 23
Probably Wilson, for many of the reasons Theo listed. I asked Moultrie at NWSL media day about her excitement to reunite with Wilson on the pitch. Her eyes lit up as she talked about not only that, but seeing Wilson combine with newer players she’s already had experience working with, like Reilyn Turner and Pietra Tordin. I do think Swanson, once she returns, will be getting on the board regularly for Chicago (especially as they now have a Ludmila-sized hole to fill on the goal-scoring front). I also see Rodman as more of a distributor for the Spirit. I’d guess 23 goals altogether.
Anzidei: Rodman, 21
While Rodman gave fans a scare with her hard hit during the opening match of the SheBelieves Cup last week, she is officially back and she’s itching for goals. She has been rusty for the USWNT in the last two camps, but, give it a few weeks back in DC, and I imagine her back to playing with the joy that makes her one of the most exciting players of this generation. Altogether, I predict 21 goals.
Who will be the next big move abroad? Who is poised for a move into the league?
Lloyd Hughes: Manaka Matsukubo (out), Salma Paralluelo (in)
I don’t think 2025 MVP runner-up Manaka Matsukubo will be playing in the NWSL in 2027. The 21-year-old’s current contract with the NC Courage expires at the end of 2026, and a player of her technical prowess feels primed for Europe.
For incomings, I have long thought that Salma Paralluelo would thrive in the NWSL. And with lots of turnover at Barcelona, it doesn’t seem that outlandish to imagine her arriving in the summer.
Current midfielder Ally Sentnor has previously been linked to interest from European teams. (Rob Gray / Imagn Images
Griffin: Ally Sentnor (out), Sakina Karchauoi (in)
I can see Ally Sentnor packing up and heading overseas if she doesn’t get enough minutes with the Current. We’d already heard rumors about European interest in her, and with 2026 being such an important year from a U.S. women’s national team perspective, she (and every other player on that roster’s bubble, frankly) will need to move quickly to position themselves for success.
I have a running list of European players I think would thrive in the NWSL, and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Sakina Karchauoi is at the top. Her physicality and passion would make her an instant favorite of any team she joined, and her fashion sense would do wonders for fit tunnels.
Anzidei: Lilly Reale (out), Catarina Macario (in)
I can also see Sentnor being tempted by overseas offers. But my mind keeps going back to Lilly Reale, 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year. Her performance only gets better, so I can see her attracting interest from clubs in need of strength in their backline.
As for incoming, I have no doubt in my mind that Catarina Macario will be playing in the NWSL sooner than later. Call it wishful thinking. Call me naive. Call it what you may. She will be in an NWSL kit by summer time, and I have a feeling that teams are fighting to sign her as we speak.
Taylor Huff led her rookie class in duels won, recoveries, chances created, and expected goals. (Troy Wayrynen / Imagn Images)
Who is the next breakout star?
Griffin: Taylor Huff, Bay FC
Bay FC midfielder Taylor Huff’s game went under-appreciated last season because of how badly the team struggled. Still, Huff started every match for Bay that year and led her rookie class in duels won, recoveries, chances created, and expected goals. Huff has a well-beyond-her-years football IQ, and now she’ll be able to build a partnership with Claire Hutton, an already established star for club and country. If Bay’s results improve this season — and honestly, even if they don’t — I suspect their midfield to draw more attention, and Huff will be central to that.
Anzidei: Jasmine Aikey, Denver Summit
As far as rookies go, I’m excited for Jasmine Aikey’s debut for Denver. A 2025 MAC Hermann trophy winner and Stanford product, she is already a proven attacker who I think will be critical in helping Summit shape their identity in the attack. As for a more seasoned NWSL star, I am most excited to watch Gisele Thompson at Angel City this year. The defender has truly grown into her own over the last year — look no further than her SheBelieves performance. During NWSL Media Days, she spoke about her excitement to be playing alongside fellow USWNT defender Emily Sams. This just has me thinking she is on the verge of a 2026 season that will make it hard to keep her off a USWNT roster. And we’ve only seen a glimpse of what she’s capable of.
Temwa Chawinga was the first NWSL player to win back-to-back MVP awards. (Kenneth Richmond / Getty Images)
Will Temwa Chawinga make it a MVP three-peat?
Tamerra: Sure, why not?
But more importantly, I am literally begging the universe for an NWSL season in which the MVP goes to a defender or goalkeeper. It’s never happened before! Those positions are routinely left out of that conversation, even as we all generally accept the adage that defense wins championships. What gives?
In fact, my rant is related to my hesitation to completely dismiss a Chawinga three-peat possibility. Her health status aside, until we can identify a defender who’s able to definitively contain her, not only is an MVP possible — that Golden Boot is, too.
Lloyd Hughes: I would love to say yes to this.
I do believe in Chawinga that much. But, trying to be as objective as possible, a three-peat for MVP in any league is practically unheard of.
Furthermore, she is still coming back from that hip injury at the end of last year and the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations could eat into her time on the pitch with the KC Current this summer. It is a no from me.
Jumping off of Tamerra’s rant, my non-forward outsider picks to win the MVP would be Rebeca Bernal, Tara Rudd, Jaelin Howell, Jaedyn Shaw, Kayla Sharples or Croix Bethune.
Tara Rudd will have more of a leadership role in the Spirit’s defense this year. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Anzidei: Is Chawinga capable of an MVP three-peat? Yes. Will we see it happen? I don’t think so.
Chawinga is still recovering from an injury that hampered the Kansas City in their postseason run. It would be wise for the club to learn how to play without her, and it would be wise for the team to ease her back into the NWSL.
Keeping that rant going from Tamerra and Theo. After watching Rudd effectively shut down Linda Caicedo for the USWNT at The SheBelieves Cup, I am so excited to see how she steps up for the Spirit this year, especially in Kingsbury’s absence. Is there a world where we see a veteran defender win MVP? Dare I say… an Emily Sonnett nod? I feel like she has found the secret to reverse aging, and I think she is only going to get better as the 2027 World Cup approaches.