The 2026 NWSL regular season resumes with exciting performances, featuring USWNT's Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman. The NWSL Team of the Week returns, highlighting standout players and coaches after the weekend's matches.
Key points
2026 NWSL regular season has resumed
Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman are key players
NWSL Team of the Week returns for a second season
Selections are based on weekend performances
Sophia WilsonTrinity RodmanNWSL
sophia-wilson.jpg
Getty Images
The 2026 NWSL regular season returned with plenty of action following a brief international break. Some clubs will be hitting the quarter mark of the schedule sooner than others, and it feels like the right time for players to truly shake off any preseason rust and make a statement in games moving forward.
It's also the right time to welcome back Attacking Third's NWSL Team of the Week.
Back for a second season, we're keeping the trend going. After weekly fixtures across the 2026 NWSL season, Attacking Third analysts will select a team of the week, head coach, and honorary captain based on performances across the weekend.
Here you can find a mix of stats and data, along with analysis from our pundits and highlights you may have missed over the weekend. If you're keeping track of who made past lineups, check out our previous edition.
Here's who made the latest Best XI:
Goalkeeper: Jordyn Bloomer (Racing Louisville FC)
Everyone has been waiting for Racing Louisville to show they're gonna demand more from themselves after making the playoffs last year. Having a goalkeeper make big saves is also very helpful, especially if that goalkeeper has both the skill and swagger of Jordyn Bloomer.
Jordyn Bloomer is absolutely LOCKED IN making the save (with a little help from the post) 😤 pic.twitter.com/XVnooGTwj8
Sometimes rookie defenders get rude awakenings in NWSL, but San Diego's Mimi Van Zanten is showing why she's up for the challenge. Not afraid to shut things down in one-on-one scenarios or get involved in an attack. She led the team in interceptions (three), tackles (three), and duels (nine) against Denver Summit.
Q&A
Who are the standout players in the NWSL Team of the Week?
The standout players include USWNT's Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman, recognized for their impressive performances.
What is the NWSL Team of the Week?
The NWSL Team of the Week is a selection of top-performing players and coaches chosen weekly based on their performances during the matches.
When does the 2026 NWSL regular season start?
The 2026 NWSL regular season started recently after a brief international break.
How often is the NWSL Team of the Week announced?
The NWSL Team of the Week is announced weekly throughout the NWSL season.
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Defender: Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit)
The Washington Spirit defensive line has had to make some adjustments this season, but it's helpful when there are familiar faces on the backline. Centerback Esme Morgan can either make the big pass or win the interception to make the difference in the game. This week it was helping maintain a clean sheet.
"I want to give credit to Esme Morgan. I think she's also one of those very underrated players that never too flashy, always has kind of fairly quiet games, but is so underratedly consistent for the spirit side, and is very comfortable now in the NWSL," said CBS Sports analyst Darian Jenkins.
Defender: Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave)
If you were unfamiliar with Kennedy Wesley before, you can go ahead and get really familiar now. The Wave FC centerback is not only aiding the team in possession and connecting, but she's getting on the scoresheet now too.
Sometimes it really is just about scoring more goals than the other team, and thank goodness for Louisville, the defenders put their scoring boots on. Fullback Lauren Milliet came up huge with not one, but two goals, including this banger from distance.
Nothing says taking control of a game more than starting a scoring sequence and then finishing it. Rose Lavelle riding the momentum of her big performances against Japan during the international window and generating attack for Gotham now. Couldn't come at a better time for the group.
Another big week for Wave FC rookie Lia Godfrey. Scored a goal and assisted on another during San Diego's three-goal, second-half comeback against Denver Summit.
The German international is officially a problem for opposing teams. She scored her fourth goal of the season and is firmly in the Golden Boot race, just one behind Orlando's Barbra Banda.
Yazmeen Ryan ➡️ Melissa Kössler for Denver Summit's first home goal in club history 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hjssh33jpX
The Washington Spirit are getting into the final third and making nothing out of nothing. Trinity Rodman's goal showed that sometimes it's about working with what you're given. Can't coach presence of mind.
The U.S. women's national team forward and face of Portland Thorns is officially back. Sophia Wilson scored her first goal in 540 days and just weeks back from maternity leave. The stoppage time was the perfect ending to a weekend slate of games.
Sophia Wilson scores her first goal since returning from maternity leave and it's a beauty 🥹 pic.twitter.com/p6F0wPqcfe
This is not the Utah Royals of the past two seasons. Head coach Jimmy Coenraets has the roster playing with confidence and belief. The club is off to its best start in the league following its reintroduction into the league two years ago and picked up its third win and is unbeaten in the last four games.
Honorary captain: Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign)
An iconic player and NWSL veteran, Jess Fishlock is only one of three inaugural players still active in the league. A member of Seattle Reign since the NWSL began, the Welsh international recently announced her retirement following the 2026 season. She unfortunately left Sunday's match with an injury, and everyone remains hopeful she can bounce back.
