As the National Women`s Soccer League bursts back to life following a brief, yet impactful, international interlude, the 2025 season truly enters its most critical phase. Players return, some with new international silverware clinking in their bags, others simply eager to rekindle their domestic pursuits. The stage is set for a second half of high-stakes football, where individual brilliance will clash with collective ambition, and the narrative of who`s truly destined for glory will undoubtedly twist and turn.
The Unyielding Grip of Kansas City
If there`s one narrative that has dominated the NWSL landscape thus far, it`s the sheer, unadulterated dominance of the Kansas City Current. With a staggering 11 wins and a six-game winning streak under their belt, they`ve not just led the NWSL Shield race, they`ve practically run away with it. One might be tempted to call their lead `comfortable,` but in the unpredictable world of professional soccer, comfort can quickly breed complacency. Still, their form is undeniable, a testament to Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski`s ability to forge a cohesive, winning machine. It`s almost… *too* easy, isn`t it?
The Golden Boot Gambit: Goals, Goals, Goals
The race for the Golden Boot, traditionally a simple tally of goals, has taken on a fascinating tactical dimension this season. Esther Gonzalez of Gotham FC currently leads with 10 strikes, a commendable feat. However, hot on her heels are Orlando Pride`s Barbra Banda and Kansas City`s own Temwa Chawinga, both locked at eight goals. The intriguing part? Gonzalez`s goals are spread across six matches, Banda`s eight goals in just five, while Chawinga`s eight have come over eight games. This begs the question: is it about the sheer volume or the consistent, relentless ability to find the net? My pick, and one I`m stubbornly sticking to, remains Chawinga. Her consistency, even if not producing a flurry in every game, speaks volumes about her sustained threat.
The MVP Maze: A Field of Stars, and a Crucial Injury
The Most Valuable Player award often follows the Golden Boot winner, but this year, the script has been dramatically rewritten. Kansas City`s Brazilian maestro, Debinha, was an early frontrunner, her dazzling play captivating audiences. Yet, a cruel MCL and ankle injury after just nine games threw the race wide open. This unfortunate turn has allowed other phenomenal talents to step into the spotlight. Angel City`s Alyssa Thompson has been instrumental, almost single-handedly defying her team`s lower standing. Portland`s Sam Coffey continues to be the linchpin of her squad, while San Diego`s Delphine Cascarino has truly found her stride in her second year. The second half of the season will be a true battle of wills, but given the circumstances, my conviction for Chawinga as MVP remains unwavering. After all, consistency is key, and let`s face it, no one wants to jinx a good prediction.
Defenders and Midfielders: The Unsung Architects
While attackers claim the headlines, the NWSL`s defensive and midfield stalwarts quietly, yet powerfully, shape games. The Defender of the Year race is a tight contest. Orlando`s Emily Sams, Gotham`s Emily Sonnett, and Washington Spirit`s Tara McKeown all remain strong contenders. However, the remarkable turnaround of the Kansas City Current`s defense, a stark contrast to last season`s struggles, has brought Kayla Sharples into the conversation. Her elevated play, especially after Alana Cook`s season-ending injury, has even sparked whispers of a long-shot MVP bid – a feat no defender has accomplished in the league`s history. Perhaps this is the year for a paradigm shift, though historical precedent offers a healthy dose of skepticism.
In midfield, the original predictions have been gracefully—or perhaps dramatically—overturned. San Diego`s Kenza Dali has emerged as a truly dominant force. As analyst Jess McDonald eloquently put it, “My goodness, the consistency. Her Chef`s kiss of a free kick going into the back of the net, I could just watch on repeat.” Dali`s intelligence, movement, and sheer understanding of the game have made her indispensable. She`s not just playing; she`s orchestrating. My initial pick was off, and Dali has made sure of it.
The Last Line and The Masterminds
The Goalkeeper of the Year award is always a chaotic affair, and 2025 is no exception. With injuries and rotations sidelining key contenders like Houston`s Jane Campbell and Chicago`s Alyssa Naeher, the field is wide open. San Diego`s experienced Kailen Sheridan and Washington Spirit`s prolific shot-stopper Aubrey Kingsbury (who leads the league in saves) are strong candidates. Yet, the consistent, understated brilliance of Seattle Reign`s Claudia Dickey, ranking second in goals prevented, makes her my revised pick. This one, truly, could come down to the wire, a testament to the depth of talent between the sticks.
Finally, the Coach of the Year accolade has seen a clear shift. The early favorite, former Washington Spirit coach Jonatan Giraldez, departed for OL Lyon, leaving a vacuum. Enter Vlatko Andonovski of Kansas City Current. His ability to mold his team into a defensively stout, relentlessly attacking force, all while navigating adversity, has been nothing short of masterclass. As Lisa Carlin noted, “it`s hard to go back-to-back years where you`re at the top of the table and you are the team everyone is chasing and Andonovski has done that with Kansas City.” While others like San Diego`s Jonas Eidevall and Racing Louisville`s Bev Yanez are certainly impressing, Andonovski`s steady hand on the Current`s helm makes him the unequivocal frontrunner.
The Ultimate Prize: Who Lifts the Trophy?
Despite all the individual brilliance and dramatic shifts, the ultimate question remains: who wins it all? The consensus, both then and now, points firmly to the Kansas City Current for the NWSL Shield. With an eight-point lead over their closest rival, Orlando Pride, they appear to be cruising toward regular-season supremacy. However, the NWSL Championship, a single-elimination playoff affair, is a different beast entirely. While Kansas City seems destined for the Shield, my initial pick for the Championship, the Washington Spirit, remains unchanged. The Challenge Cup winners possess the grit, tactical flexibility, and playoff pedigree to upset even the most dominant regular-season teams. With 13 matchweeks remaining, anything can indeed happen, but for now, the Current are the reigning kings of the regular season, while the Spirit lurk, ready to pounce when it truly matters.
This article is an independent analysis and does not contain any endorsements or advertisements. All opinions expressed are those of the author based on publicly available information.
