{"id":308535,"date":"2025-11-23T07:27:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T07:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/308535\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T07:27:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T07:27:09","slug":"england-star-esme-morgan-fuels-washington-spirits-return-to-the-nwsl-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/308535\/","title":{"rendered":"England Star Esme Morgan Fuels Washington Spirit\u2019s Return to the NWSL Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 NWSL Best XI presented by Amazon Prime<\/a> is in, as the league honored the year\u2019s top performers at the first-ever NWSL Awards ceremony in San Jose, California \u2014 home to NWSL Championship Weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One storyline stole the spotlight: the overwhelming dominance of the Kansas City Current. The 2025 Shield-winners<\/a> earned five First Team selections \u2014 the most in league history \u2014 reinforcing the Current\u2019s status as an NWSL powerhouse despite their quarterfinal playoff exit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe season didn\u2019t end the way that we wanted to, and we\u2019re still very hungry for more next year,\u201d Kansas City defender Kayla Sharples told JWS after landing on the 2025 NWSL Best XI. \u201cBut the thing is, our last result doesn\u2019t define our whole season.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NWSL Awards \u2014 a nationally televised event complete with a blue carpet for VIPs<\/a> \u2014 showcased the standout players who ruled the pitch in 2025. Below is a full breakdown of the NWSL Best XI First Team<\/a>, diving deep into how each star claimed their spot at the top this season.<\/p>\n

\"ClaireFive players on the 2025 Best XI represent the Kansas City Current. (Elsa\/NWSL via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2025 NWSL Best XI First Team presented by Amazon Prime<\/p>\n

Goalkeeper: Lorena (Kansas City Current)<\/p>\n

Kansas City\u2019s Brazilian goalkeeper acted as the backbone of the league\u2019s best defensive unit. Lorena, who developed through Brazil\u2019s youth and senior national team system, secured 14 clean sheets thanks to quick reactions, vertical command, and pinpoint ball distribution. Throughout 2025, she transformed from solid starter to NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year<\/a> in addition to Best XI honors.<\/p>\n

Defender: Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current)<\/p>\n

Former US youth international and Ohio State star Izzy Rodriguez has evolved into one of the NWSL\u2019s premier two-way fullbacks. Her overlapping runs, precise crossing, and ability to defend in transition gave Kansas City unmatched width. The 26-year-old\u2019s end-of-season honor solidifies her transformation from promising draft pick<\/a> to elite defender.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so nice to celebrate your teammates, especially when you know how much work they put in the entire year,\u201d Rodriguez said after the ceremony.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was so cool to have an event like this. It\u2019s something that\u2019s just elevating women\u2019s sports all around and I hope we get to continue things like this and add on from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defender: Avery Patterson (Houston Dash)<\/p>\n

In addition to 2025 NWSL Best XI honors, 23-year-old Dash defender Avery Patterson took home Houston\u2019s team MVP award and a Defender of the Year nomination. The UNC alum registered three goals and two assists this season, leading the team defensively with 40 interceptions and 32 won tackles. She was also instrumental to the Dash\u2019s second-half surge<\/a>, helping the club to a tight 10th-place finish while making her presence known on the USWNT.<\/p>\n

Defender: Kayla Sharples (Kansas City Current)<\/p>\n

Persevering through both injuries and trades<\/a>, 2019 draftee Kayla Sharples reemerged as an unshakeable center back for Kansas City. Her dominance in the air, calm under pressure, and organizational prowess allowed the Current to set a franchise-best defensive record this season. Sharples\u2019s late-career breakout earned widespread praise \u2014 and a spot on the 2025 NWSL Best XI.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an incredible honor,\u201d said Sharples. \u201cThis season has been very rewarding. And to see a lot of the players get recognition, it\u2019s just a testament to this team, the coaching staff, all the time and work that\u2019s been put in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defender: Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit)<\/p>\n

Washington Spirit\u2019s 2025 Defender of the Year made headlines after seamlessly transitioning from standout college forward to top-flight pro center back and USWNT regular<\/a>. McKeown\u2019s background as an attacker enhanced her anticipation and footwork. That combined with her ability to shut down strikers while confidently building out of the back made her one of 2025’s most important defenders.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d be here when I did switch to defender, so now that I have, I\u2019m really grateful and having a lot of fun,\u201d McKeown reflected. \u201cI enjoy playing back there, which I didn\u2019t think I would say when I first switched.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ManakaNorth Carolina’s Manaka Matsukubo won both Midfielder of the Year and a spot on the 2025 NWSL Best XI. (Elsa\/NWSL via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Midfielder: Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current)<\/p>\n

One of the youngest players in this year\u2019s Best XI, 19-year-old Claire Hutton has surfaced as a foundational midfielder for the Current. A product of youth and senior US national teams<\/a>, Hutton excelled at ball retention, tempo control, and breaking pressure. Her defensive engine and range fueled Kansas City\u2019s possessive excellence, while mirroring the shift toward a younger, more technical midfield.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve learned that expectations can create disappointment, so that isn\u2019t something I ever put out there,\u201d Hutton told JWS. \u201cThe work speaks for itself. It\u2019s consistency. Day in, day out, putting the work in and committing to the grind and the love of the game brings us out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Midfielder: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns)<\/p>\n

A cornerstone for both Portland and the USWNT<\/a>, Sam Coffey remains one of the NWSL\u2019s most consistent playmakers. A Penn State graduate, she joined the Thorns in 2022 and quickly became a midfield leader thanks to her ability to dictate matches. And with the team navigating roster turnover after an up-and-down season<\/a>, Coffey\u2019s reliability stood out more than ever in 2025.<\/p>\n

Midfielder: Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage)<\/p>\n

At just 21, Japanese phenom Manaka Matsukubo delivered one of the best midfield seasons in NWSL history. She recorded 11 goals<\/a> and four assists while leading the midfield in total goal contributions. Merging footwork, vision, and creativity, she elevated North Carolina\u2019s attack and earned recognition as one of women\u2019s soccer\u2019s fastest-rising stars.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be a part of the [NWSL] is a really big thing,\u201d Matsukubo said. \u201cI think I was able to demonstrate to my fellow Japanese, younger Japanese, that even if you\u2019re small, you\u2019re still able to demonstrate yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TemwaKansas City striker Temwa Chawinga took home three 2025 honors at Wednesday’s NWSL Awards. (Elsa\/NWSL via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Forward: Esther Gonz\u00e1lez (Gotham FC)<\/p>\n

The World Cup-winning Spanish striker saw yet another strong NWSL run this year. Known for her intelligent movement and sharp instincts, Esther provided consistency for a Gotham squad that battled availability issues all season. A contender for the 2025 Golden Boot award<\/a>, her ability to finish half-chances and pressure defenses earned her a well-deserved place in the league\u2019s top attacking trio.<\/p>\n

Forward: Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current)<\/p>\n

Malawi international Temwa Chawinga won her second straight NWSL MVP and Golden Boot<\/a> awards this year, taking the NWSL Awards by storm and cementing herself as one the world\u2019s best forwards. Her blistering speed, clinical finishes, and ability to break open games propelled Kansas City\u2019s historic season. Chawinga\u2019s journey from Africa to Europe to NWSL superstardom<\/a> is one of the league\u2019s defining success stories.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe fight hard, we push,\u201d said Chawinga, describing her fellow Best XI players. \u201cThe way we play the game, we put [in] effort and heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forward: Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns)<\/p>\n

At 20, Olivia Moultrie has blossomed from teen prodigy to NWSL and USWNT mainstay. Her creativity, decision-making, and defensive strength turned her into a central figure in Portland\u2019s attack<\/a>. For both club and country, 2025 confirmed Moultrie as one of US soccer\u2019s most exciting young stars.<\/p>\n

\"HostKansas City won the NWSL Shield in record fashion this year. (Elsa\/NWSL via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

How the Kansas City Current crushed the NWSL Awards<\/p>\n

Kansas City\u2019s five selections reflect a roster that blended international talent, US youth products, and tactical cohesion. The Current set franchise and league records<\/a> in wins, scoring, and defense, with this year\u2019s Best XI mirroring that all-around excellence. Their success also signals the broader trend of deep investment in analytics, recruiting, and development.<\/p>\n

What the 2025 NWSL Best XI says about the league\u2019s future<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Best XI highlights the NWSL\u2019s evolution into a global, youth-driven league. International stars Chawinga, Matsukubo, and Esther share the stage with homegrown talents Hutton and Moultrie. Veteran leaders Coffey and Sharples show that experience matters, while positional conversions like McKeown\u2019s demonstrate modern coaching innovations.<\/p>\n

As the NWSL makes strides in expansion, broadcast deals<\/a>, and international influence, the 2025 NWSL Best XI serves as a snapshot of a transformative league \u2014 competitive, diverse, and teeming with world-class talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis event and the ceremony was truly incredible,\u201d added Hutton. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for the league, for women\u2019s sports, giving us this platform to appreciate where we are, and be where our feet are. I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Article written in partnership with Amazon Prime<\/a>.<\/p>\n