Don’t blink or you’ll miss the highlights of the 2026 NWSL regular season. There are only two months left before teams can compete for a playoff spot or spoil the pot, which means players have a chance to step up. Now is the perfect time to recognize Attacking Third with NWSL Team of the Week honors.
We are excited to keep this tradition going for a second year. So, at the end of each week’s games during the 2026 NWSL season, Attacking Third analysts will select players, head coaches and honorary captains based on their performance over the weekend.
Here you’ll find a variety of statistics and data, analysis from experts and highlights from the weekend that you might have missed. If you want to see who has won past accolades, check out our Previous team this week.
At this point in the season, trying to narrow down the eleven professional athletes for Team of the Week honors can seem like an impossible task. Even if a team doesn’t make the playoffs or is gradually eliminated, there are still some players who can create game-changing moments.
This is the latest version of the maker:
Goalie: Cosette Morche (Orlando Pride)
Changes in Orlando now include a goaltending change. After signing former starting goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse on loan, cosette moche Increase cost savings to maintain pride In the playoff race.
Defender: Kuro Raiteng (Gotham FC)
gotham football club Back on track with goal from defender, heading towards NWSL Shield Guro Litian. Her score made her the first Norwegian to score in the NWSL.
Guard: Bianca St. George (Boston Heritage)
boston heritage This season has had more lows than highs, but just because it’s unlikely they’ll make the playoffs, that doesn’t mean they can’t make a statement every now and then. Captain Bianca St. George led the team to great results at the weekend Washington spirit and help limit Trinity Rodman during the attack. She leads the team in total touches (62) and total tackles (six).
Defender: Sofia Huerta (Seattle Reign)
Seattle Reign There are eleven different players on the goal sheet this season, including three defenders. This week’s honors go to right back Sofia Huerta. She stepped up and scored the penalty kick gulf football club.
Guard: Tyler Wood (Chicago Stars)
When you’re on a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain, it’s the little things that matter. With a stoppage-time equalizer, Chicago can finally celebrate with a tie Taylor Wood. The goal was the first of her NWSL career.
Midfielder: Lindsey Heaps (Denver Summit)
Denver summit midfield Lindsay Heaps Joined mid-season and now has her first club goal. It was a real welcome return moment for the veteran player, whose previous goal in the NWSL came in October 2021 for thorns.
Midfielder: Mina Tanaka (Utah Royals)
Not sure there’s a more consistent, well-rounded player in the league? utah royals Tanaka Mina. She returns to our Team of the Week with her win houston dash.
Midfielder: Gia Colley (San Diego Waves FC)
San Diego Waves FC It’s possible to retrieve critical parts at the right time. first Kenza Daly Already back now Gia Kohli Back again. After missing out earlier in the season due to injury, she returned to the pitch and scored.
Forward: Barbara Banda (Orlando Pride)
The most dynamic player in the league remains in contention for the Golden Boot with 16 goals this season. Barbara Banda Scored two goals against Kansas City, including a Goal of the Year candidate.
Forward: Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage)
North Carolina Courage We may have lost points, but fortunately there is still progress. Ashley Sanchez. Her bid for the Golden Boot won’t be easy and she used world-class curling to score her 19th goal of the season.
Forward: Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Surge FC)
San Diego’s young players are improving and moving forward every week Melanie Barcenas No stranger to highlight reel goals. She scored the game-winning goal against the North Carolina Courage.
Coach: Yolanda Thomas (Orlando Pride)
There have been a lot of end-of-season coaching dismissals this year, and for some clubs there just hasn’t been the “coaching promotion” they were hoping for. That’s not the case with the Orlando Pride and interim head coach Yolanda Thomas. She got her team on a good run, got Barbara Banda back on goal and believed the Pride could make a playoff push.
Honorary Captain: Sam Stubb (Chicago Stars)
Between injuries, benchings and even maternity leave, the core of the team’s leadership chicago stars This season was made by committee. The captain’s armband has been shared, via Alyssa Neherto Stars FC first-year player Briana Pinto. defender Sam Stubb Was also one of the core and helped Chicago to its second big draw of the season on the road.