With the end of the NWSL regular season on Oct. 2 come the playoffs and the race for top individual awards, including 2022 MVP.

Seven players have made our list of MVP nominees, ranging from star goal scorers to key playmakers to staunch defenders. The players represent five teams in the league, with the San Diego Wave and OL Reign featured twice.

These are the cases for NWSL MVP frontrunners, including our pick at the end.

Alex Morgan, F, San Diego Wave FC

Alex Morgan just keeps finding the back of the net. With 15 goals on the season, she leads the Golden Boot race by three goals, with Thorns forward Sophia Smith coming in next at 12. Morgan took less than half the season to score the same number of goals as last year’s Golden Boot winner, Ashley Hatch, who finished with 11. Her efforts have helped San Diego stay near the top of the league standings and make a serious case for the Shield in the club’s first season.

.@alexmorgan13 is in the form of her life.pic.twitter.com/npiuymDlMp

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) September 10, 2022

Rose Lavelle, M, OL Reign

A world-class superstar, Rose Lavelle has been in peak form in her sixth year in the NWSL. She’s hitting shots on target from distance with a new level of power, contributing to a career-high five goals for OL Reign so far this season. Inside the box, she poses a threat on one-timers and in the air with the ability to score on diving headers. In addition to her iconic dribbles through the midfield, Lavelle boasts a passing success rate of 81 percent and a long-ball success rate of 74 percent.

OL Reign take five minutes to get themselves back on level terms through Rose Lavelle #NWSL (🎥 @NWSL)pic.twitter.com/JwiH1QzX4S

— AllForXI (@AllForXI) September 17, 2022

Sophie Schmidt, M, Houston Dash

Perhaps the most underrated player on this list, Sophie Schmidt brings a consistency to the Dash’s defensive midfield that has put them in position to make their first playoff appearance in franchise history. Starting every game and totaling 1,393 minutes so far, Schmidt has been both a defensive and offensive powerhouse, setting up the attack with nine key passes and winning the ball in the midfield. In addition to 35 interceptions, she’s won 60 percent of her tackles, 57 percent of her duels and 58 percent of her aerial duels. She’s also contributed three goals and an assist while completing 74 percent of her passes.

SOPHIE SCHMIDT MY GOODNESS. 🚀

Doesn't get much better than that. 💪 pic.twitter.com/aiJ5TnVwxm

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 31, 2022

Sophia Smith, F, Portland Thorns FC

Sophia Smith is is the main reason the No. 1 Portland Thorns lead the league with 43 goals and became the first team to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win over Racing Louisville on Wednesday night. Second in the Golden Boot race with 12 goals, Smith also leads the NWSL with 64 shots and 41 shots on goal. She’s a defender’s worst nightmare with her expert ability to navigate backlines and create dangerous chances in front of net.

Another set piece, another goal for the @ThornsFC! 🌹 Sophia Smith hits the volley! #CHIvPOR | 2-2 | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/fz3iyazrN2

— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 29, 2022

Sofia Huerta, D, OL Reign

OL Reign have been one of the NWSL’s best defensive teams all season and are currently tied with the Wave for the fewest goals against at 19. Huerta has contributed heavily to that success at wingback, playing every minute of every game with 10 blocks, 20 interceptions and a 65.6 percent tackle success rate. She’s also been integral to the Reign’s attack with a goal, four assists and 36 successful crosses, ranking second in the league in big chances created.

Sofia Huerta just did this pic.twitter.com/QVkOo9LlEB

— Our Game Magazine (@OurGameMagazine) March 19, 2022

Naomi Girma, D, San Diego Wave FC

JWS’ midseason MVP pick, Naomi Girma has adjusted seamlessly to the professional game. The May Rookie of the Month has played every minute of her 17 games for the Wave, making 81 clearances, 12 blocks and 25 interceptions while winning 68 percent of duels. Her efforts have helped San Diego concede just 19 goals this season. In possession, the 2022 No. 1 draft pick averages an impressive 83 percent passing success rate.

Naomi Girma put her body on the line to make a great block ❌ pic.twitter.com/nJXU1VRl97

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) June 5, 2022

MVP Pick: Mallory Pugh, F, Chicago Red Stars

Mallory Pugh does it all. Ten goals in one season? Check. Leading the league in assists? Check (she has six). Taking the ball 90 yards up the field for a goal and nutmegging two players in the process? That happened last week against the Kansas City Current, the NWSL’s first-place team at that point. The Red Stars forward has the ability to change the course of a game every time she steps onto the field, winning 80 percent of her tackles and passing with 77.3 percent accuracy. Last year, Pugh was nominated for NWSL MVP, but this year she’s playing the best soccer of her career.

90 YARDS, 2 NUTMEGS, 1 GOAL 🤯
Take a bow, @MalPugh 👏

JWS x @Delta

Official Airline of the National Women’s Soccer League pic.twitter.com/vJ33CLw1Ys

— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) September 15, 2022

Jessa Braun is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports covering the NWSL and USWNT. Follow her on Twitter @jessabraun.

The Soccer Tournament (TST) is coming back to Cary in 2026, as the North Carolina-based 7v7 competition dropped the dates for its fourth iteration earlier this week.

After its 2023 inaugural tournament, which included a mix of men's, women's, and co-ed teams, TST will re-up its 16-team women's competition — expanded in 2025 from eight teams in 2024 —alongside its men's edition this summer, running both contests from May 27th through June 1st.

Additionally, TST will again be anteing up a $1 million winners check to entice soccer's top players to take the pitch in Cary.

The seven-figure prize again has the reigning two-time champion US Women coming back, with USWNT alum and incoming National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Heather O'Reilly announcing in November that the team will return to defend their title in 2026.

"Many of my former teammates with the USWNT will be making appearances, so we can't wait to see you in the summertime," promised O'Reilly at the TST x Cary Kickoff Party before adding a joking "we're not f—ing leaving."

As small-side events grow in popularity, North Carolina has doubled down on keeping TST at WakeMed Soccer Park, the home of the NWSL's Courage.

In October, the state awarded TST a $6.6 million grant to remain in Cary through 2029, anticipating an economic impact from the competition in the eight figures.

How to buy tickets for TST in 2026

The ticket pre-sale for TST 2026 will open at 9 AM ET on Tuesday, February 24th, with added exclusive benefits to fans who join TST's ticket waitlist.

LSU women's basketball star Flau'jae Johnson is gearing up again, with Sole Retriever revealing on Tuesday that the senior guard plans to drop a new Puma player exclusive sneaker next month.

The 22-year-old will take over the Puma All-Pro Nitro 2, pairing a tan and brown camouflage pattern with bright pink and green accents.

Adorned with a custom logo representing Johnson's No. 4 jersey — a four-finger hand image in green — the Tigers standout will see her exclusive logo on both the tongue and bottom sole of the All-Pro Nitro 2.

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A major player in Puma's NIL program since 2022, Johnson debuted her first player exclusive colorway in 2024, but this new design will be the NIL star's first PE available on the consumer market.

"They were very intrigued not only [about] basketball, but my music side, too," Johnson told Andscape after signing with the sportswear giant. "That was really important to me, because some people try to box you in. Puma was like, 'Ain't no box. Ain't no cage.'"

How to purchase the Puma All-Pro Nitro 2 Flau'jae Johnson PE sneaker

Retailing at $140, Johnson's Puma All-Pro Nitro 2 PE sneakers will hit both online and brick-and-mortar shelves on February 6th.

Orlando has landed a new front office leader, as the Pride announced on Tuesday that they've hired former Kansas City Current GM Caitlin Carducci as the Florida NWSL club's new VP of soccer operations and GM.

"Caitlin is a proven leader whose experience across every level of women's soccer and history of building championship-caliber rosters set her apart," said Pride owner and chairman Mark Wilf in the team's Tuesday statement. "She emerged as the clear choice in our search with her deep expertise, strong reputation, and a vision that aligns with our culture."

Carducci, whose resume also boasts roles developing the women's game at both the NWSL's headquarters and for US Soccer, stepped away from the Current after two seasons, departing after Kansas City's historic 2025 Shield-winning run.

She replaces outgoing VP of soccer operations and sporting director Haley Carter, who left the Pride in November prior to becoming the new president of soccer operations for the Washington Spirit.

Rather than instigating significant changes, Carducci plans to bolster the recent accomplishments of the 2024 Shield and championship-winning Orlando Pride with a goal of creating ongoing success for the club.

"The chance to work with the Wilf family, whose leadership and investment reflect their commitment to a world‑class organization, along with a championship‑level roster and technical staff, made this an easy decision," said Carducci. "I'm eager to begin this next chapter, strengthen the inclusive and ambitious culture that defines this club, and help push the Pride toward new heights."

Professional softball put down roots coast-to-coast on Tuesday, when the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) unveiled the home cities and stadiums for each of the expanded league's teams for the 2026 season — and beyond.

After adopting a touring model for its four-team inaugural 2025 campaign, AUSL's move into home markets coincides with the league's expansion, as the now-six-team second-year league welcomed the Cascade and Spark in November.

With Tuesday's announcement, the previously independent Spark will continue to play in Oklahoma City at Oklahoma Christian University's Tom Heath Field, with fellow expansion side Cascade making its home at Hillsboro Ballpark, in Portland, Oregon.

Meanwhile, the four original teams will re-debut as the Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Texas Volts, and Utah Talons.

The Blaze will play their home games at Duke University's Smith Family Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, while the Bandits' permanent home will be at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois — a longtime hub for pro softball.

The Volts will play at Dell Diamond, the home of Minor League Baseball's Round Rock Express, the Triple-A team for MLB's Texas Rangers.

Lastly, the University of Utah will house the Talons, with the reigning AUSL champions taking over the Utes' Dumke Family Stadium in Salt Lake City beginning this year.

"This is about creating lasting connections between our athletes, our teams, and the communities they represent, and setting up the sport of softball for long-term success at the professional level," said AUSL commissioner Kim Ng in Tuesday's announcement.

All six teams will kick off their 2026 season on June 9th, when games will be played across multiple cities simultaneously for the first time in AUSL history.

How to purchase 2026 AUSL season tickets

Softball fans can now score 2026 season tickets for their AUSL home teams online.