NSWL Team of The Season Predictions (FC 26)

Hello and welcome to my NWSL Team of the Season for 2025. This has been a season defined by one of the most dramatic contrasts in recent memory: Kansas City Current’s regular-season dominance and Gotham FC’s improbable playoff triumph. Kansas City finished with 65 points, winning 21 of 26 matches and conceding just 13 goals all season, a +36 goal difference that spoke to their superiority. Yet in the playoffs, Gotham — who finished 8th with just 36 points — produced one of the most memorable underdog runs, defeating Kansas City in the quarterfinals before beating Washington in the final to claim the championship. This context makes the Team of the Season selection particularly compelling, blending the champions’ resilience with the league’s most consistent performers.

Temwa Chawinga has been the league’s most lethal finisher for Kansas City, combining intelligent movement with clinical efficiency throughout their dominant campaign, while Esther González’s creativity and end product have been central to Gotham’s attacking threat. Croix Bethune remained essential to Washington Spirit’s structure, delivering consistent output from advanced positions, before transferring to Kansas City and Olivia Moultrie gives Portland Thorns a dynamic wide-midfield option who has delivered valuable contributions.

The midfield choices reflect the tactical balance required at the top. Claire Hutton brings control, intensity and all-round reliability for Kansas City, while Manaka Matsukubo provides the technical security and progressive passing that keeps North Carolina Courage in rhythm. Lilly Reale has been one of the more effective creative midfielders in the league, and Emma Sears gives Racing Louisville the high-energy, box-to-box profile that matters in tight matches.

At the back, the defensive selections mirror both individual excellence and team resilience. Lorena has been Kansas City’s reliable presence in goal throughout their record-breaking season, while Izzy Rodriguez and Kayla Sharples bring composure, ball-playing quality and tactical discipline to a Current defense that conceded just 13 goals. Tara McKeown and Avery Patterson provide two-way reliability and overlapping runs, and Emily Sonnett’s versatility has been crucial for Gotham’s unexpected championship run.

Full List

Starting 11:
GK: Lorena (Kansas City Current) – reliable season-long presence, key to league-best defense.
CB: Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit) – strong two-way presence with consistent output.
LB: Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current) – composed, ball-playing defender in dominant backline.
CB: Kayla Sharples (Kansas City Current) – experience and useful defensive balance.
RB: Avery Patterson (Houston Dash) – high-energy full-back role with intensity and recovery work.
CM: Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current) – control, tempo and final-third intelligence.
CM: Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) – creative midfielder with strong influence and progressive passing.
CAM: Croix Bethune (Kansas City Current) – creativity and end product from advanced areas.
RW: Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC) – attacking versatility and useful output from wide areas.
ST: Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current) – elite goalscoring season, clear main striker pick.
ST: Esther González (Gotham FC) – pace, directness and constant threat, key to championship run.

Subs:
LB: Lilly Reale (Gotham FC) – technical quality and attacking movement, playoff hero.
CB: Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC) – defensive versatility and recovery pace, championship winner.
RM: Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC) – direct wing threat and transition danger.