Through all the challenges of the 2021 NWSL season, the play on the field reached new heights in the league’s ninth year, ending in a playoff race that came down to the wire this past weekend.

While the competition was strong across the board, a handful of players (and a coach) stood out above the rest for their individual performances and the value they brought to their teams.

Before the NWSL kicks off the postseason on Sunday, Just Women’s Sports is handing out end-of-season awards, from the individual honors to the Best XI.

Coach of the Year: Laura Harvey, OL Reign

Laura Harvey has only been with OL Reign since August, but in her short stint with the team, she’s made a big impact.

Harvey officially returned to OL Reign as the club’s head coach on July 15 after Farid Benstiti resigned from his post on July 2. It was later reported that the club had asked Benstiti to step down following player accounts of verbal abuse. Harvey previously served as head coach of OL Reign (previously known as Seattle Reign FC) from 2013 to 2017, winning Coach of the Year twice during her tenure.

Since July, Harvey has effectively steered OL Reign in their post-Olympic playoff push. After the club fell to Kansas City in her Aug. 14 debut, Harvey led OL Reign on an eight-game undefeated streak. With an influx of European talent, as well as American stars Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe returning from Tokyo, Harvey has successfully managed a convergence of new players. One of Harvey’s most fruitful endeavors was the decision to move Sofia Huerta from midfield to outside back. The 28-year-old finished the regular season leading the league with six assists.

With Harvey at the helm, OL Reign is primed to make a deep run in the NWSL playoffs after finishing the regular season second in the standings and securing an automatic semifinal bid.

Rookie of the Year: Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit

Trinity Rodman has taken the NWSL by storm, executing some of the league’s most exciting plays in her rookie season, including a must-see assist against Racing Louisville. The second overall pick of the Washington Spirit in January, Rodman became the youngest player ever drafted to the NWSL at 18 years old. Before taking the pitch, Rodman had to manage the hype surrounding her debut season. She not only met but exceeded those sky-high expectations for the No. 3 Spirit.

With five goals and a league-lead tying six assists, Rodman has emerged as a pillar of the Spirit’s offense alongside Ashley Hatch. The rookie attacker has shown a consistent ability to stretch opponents’ backlines and exploit space like a seasoned veteran. After leading Washington to a playoff berth, Rodman’s meteoric rise may very well include a run at the NWSL trophy.

Most Valuable Player: Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit

With a league-high ten goals on the season, Ashley Hatch earned her first-ever Golden Boot award this week, beating out Bethany Balcer, Rachel Daly and Midge Purce for the honor. Hatch’s performance is even more impressive given the off-field turmoil she and the Washington Spirit have endured throughout the season.

Rocked by reports of verbal and emotional abuse in August, an investigation into former coach Richie Burke’s behavior led to him being fired for cause. Several front office resignations and a player-led campaign to get owner Steve Baldwin to sell the team to co-owner Y. Michele Kang followed. On top of all that, the Spirit were forced to forfeit two regular-season games after a breach in COVID-19 protocols. Working against mounting adversity, Hatch and the Spirit still managed to come within striking distance of the No. 2 seed, finishing third in the NWSL standings and earning a meeting with the North Carolina Courage in Sunday’s quarterfinal.

While the NWSL was filled with impactful individual performances this season, Hatch gets the nod for her prolific offense on a team that had every reason to fold.

NWSL Best XI

GK — Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride

Ashlyn Harris has had a banner season, surpassing the NWSL career saves record of 468 to become the league’s all-time saves leader. Casey Murphy had a strong run for the Courage, but Harris’ three saves from the spot for Orlando puts her over the top.

D — Carson Pickett, North Carolina Courage

Carson Pickett had a breakout season in her first year with the Courage, notching five assists in 23 starts. The 28-year-old owned the flanks for North Carolina, delivering 27 successful crosses during the regular season.

D — Meghan Klingenberg, Portland Thorns

Meghan Klingenberg has been an anchor for the Thorns on and off the pitch, acting as a leader on a team filled with veteran talent. Holding down the backline, Klingenberg led the team to 13 wins and 13 clean sheets, which set a new NWSL record for most shutouts in a single season.

D — Caprice Dydasco, Gotham FC

Caprice Dydasco has been the centerpiece of Gotham FC’s backline this year, playing an essential role on both sides of the ball. The 28-year-old has helped the club’s defense earn its bend-but-don’t-break reputation while also playing a big role in Gotham’s attack. With five assists and a goal on the season, Dydasco is one of the most productive outside backs in the league.

D — Sarah Gorden, Chicago Red Stars

Sarah Gorden made history this season, becoming the Chicago Red Stars’ first-ever Iron Woman by playing every minute of the regular season. In 2,160 minutes on the pitch, Gorden amassed an 86.7 percent successful tackle rate as the anchor of Chicago’s defense.

M — Sofia Huerta, OL Reign

Sofia Huerta ended the regular season tied for the league lead in assists with six. The 28-year-old started 2021 playing further up the pitch, but coach Laura Harvey has since moved Huerta to the right back position, where she has been thriving. Whether she is in the midfield or on the backline, Huerta is the key to OL Reign’s attack, whipping in crosses from the flanks with technical precision.

M — Jess Fishlock, OL Reign

Jess Fishlock has the numbers on her side, notching five goals and four assists on the season, but what the 34-year-old brings to the pitch goes beyond the stat sheet. The midfielder is known to keep OL Reign in tight games, buoying her side at exactly the right time. Fishlock’s grit combined with her technical skill makes her one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the league.

M — Rachel Daly, Houston Dash

As captain of the Houston Dash, Rachel Daly knows how to rally her team. The attacker executed big plays in critical moments to keep Houston alive during a streaky season that nearly ended in a playoff bid. Notching nine goals, Daly nearly clinched the Golden Boot, coming in second to Hatch on the goal-scorers ranking.

F — Ifeoma Onumonu, Gotham FC

Ifeoma Onumonu is a playmaker, facilitating Gotham FC’s attack all season long. With eight goals this season, Onumonu also set up her teammates four times, making her one of the most dynamic forwards in the NWSL.

F — Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit

The 2021 Golden Boot winner has caused issues for backlines all season long. Not only is the Spirit forward dangerous in the final third, burying 10 goals on 22 shots on goal, but she also is versatile. Hatch recorded four left-footed and four right-footed goals, as well as two headers, to finish the season on top.

F — Bethany Balcer, OL Reign

Bethany Balcer has come a long way from going undrafted and entering OL Reign as a non-rostered training camp invitee. The 2019 Rookie of the Year, Balcer nearly earned herself another trophy this year, finishing just one goal shy of the Golden Boot with nine. An expert in the air, Balcer registered five header goals on the season.

The USWNT announced their 2025 season finale on Monday, setting a pair of friendlies against Italy at Orlando's Inter & Co Stadium on November 28th and Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on December 1st.

Facing the now-world No. 2 US for the first time in 15 years, Italy's recent run to the 2025 Euro semifinals shot them to No. 12 in the FIFA rankings.

"As we prepare for World Cup qualifying at the end of 2026, we want to play teams from all parts of the world with different styles and different strengths, so getting to play Italy, one of Europe's up-and-coming teams, will be a great way to end the year," said USWNT head coach Emma Hayes in a statement announcing the friendlies.

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After an extended break following a series of early July matchups, the US now has five matches left on the books, with the year-ending Italy matches rounding out three already-announced October friendlies.

The USWNT kicks off next month's lineup with two matches against Euro 2025 participant No. 23 Portugal, followed by a third friendly against No. 33 New Zealand.

As Hayes's year of roster evaluation comes to a close, expect stakes to rise as the 2027 World Cup comes into sharper view.

How to purchase tickets to the final 2025 USWNT friendlies

Though a myriad of presale opportunities are available throughout this week, tickets to both the November 28th match in Orlando and the December 1st friendly in Fort Lauderdale will go on sale to the general public on Friday.

Tickets will drop at 10 AM ET online.

The red-hot No. 2 Las Vegas Aces will hit the court in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs again on Tuesday night, facing off against the No. 7 Seattle Storm in Game 2 of the postseason's first round with an eye on scoring their 18th consecutive victory — and a trip to this year's semifinals.

"You guys celebrate this more than we do," MVP frontrunner A'ja Wilson said, brushing off the team's recent dominance. "The streak stopped in the regular season."

"It's the first to nine wins [for the championship], so that's how we want to approach it," Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon echoed, voicing a renewed focus on retaking the WNBA crown.

Following the league's new home-away-home first-round format, Seattle has the chance to extend their season on their home court on Tuesday night, as the Storm arrives back in market with few answers after suffering a 102-77 Game 1 loss.

"Our fans deserve for us to play well," said Seattle forward Nneka Ogwumike. "We have to figure out how to do it, no matter what. That's going to be the test on Tuesday."

How to watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm

No. 7 Seattle will try stay alive against No. 2 Las Vegas at 9:30 PM ET on Tuesday, with live coverage of Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs airing on ESPN.

With their backs against the wall, the No. 6 Indiana Fever will face down both the No. 3 Atlanta Dream and potential elimination from the 2025 WNBA Playoffs when they host their first home postseason game in nearly a decade on Tuesday night.

"I think you give yourself an edge as the home team. When they punched us, they punched us hard," Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell said after Sunday's 80-68 loss in Atlanta. "So we have to do the same thing."

"I would like to think that being back at home can kind of give us a sense of comfort, so hopefully we could use it for what it's worth and not take it for granted," she continued.

Mitchell will likely be the key to the Fever's survival, after an onslaught of season-ending injuries forced the three-time WNBA All-Star to step up as a scoring leader — with Mitchell dropping a postseason career-high 27 points in Sunday's Game 1.

"It's a lot of little things," said Indiana head coach Stephanie White following the weekend result. "I like where we are, I'm proud of our group for continuing to fight, and we're going to be better on Tuesday."

How to watch Atlanta vs. Indiana in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs

No. 6 Indiana will tip off against No. 3 Atlanta in Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at 7:30 PM ET on Tuesday, with live coverage airing on ESPN.

WNBA legend Elena Delle Donne is returning to the court, with USA Basketball announcing on Monday that the two-time league MVP will join the 3×3 Women's National Team as its first-ever managing director.

The 36-year-old officially retired in April 2025 after struggling with injuries, capping a career that spanned winning gold at the 2016 Olympics and the 2018 FIBA World Cup with Team USA as well as two WNBA championships.

"Elena has been a member of the USA Basketball family for almost 15 years," USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said in Monday's press release. "Her wealth of knowledge of the sport of basketball and our organization will be an asset as we continue our journey."

As part of her duties, Delle Donne will be responsible for selecting the USA Basketball 3x3 team's coaching staff and players prior to the 2028 LA Olympics, the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, and other major international competitions.

"USA Basketball was an important part of my on-court career for a decade and a half. To have the opportunity to continue my journey with the organization, and to help shape and grow the 3x3 program, is something that I take very seriously," Delle Donne said. "I'm excited to get started."

Delle Donne's new position is the 3x3 version of fellow WNBA icon Sue Bird's role, as the newly minted Hall of Famer became the managing director of the USA Basketball women's 5x5 arm in May.

"To now think that I'm going to be on the other side of the phone letting someone know that their dream has come true and they've made the team is going to be such a fulfilling, full circle moment for me," Delle Donne said.