Much like the league's top teams, individual NWSL MVP contenders continue to make their mark coming out of the Olympic break.

KC Current forward Temwa Chawinga now tops the 2024 Golden Boot race, having scored her season's 13th goal last weekend against the Spirit. In that same game, Washington midfielder Croix Bethune tied Tobin Heath's single-season assist record with her 10th of the year.

Washington's Croix Bethune dribbles the ball in a match.
Likely NWSL Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune could also contend for the league's MVP honors. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Stacked field means big choice for award voters

With so many deserving candidates, 2024's MVP award-winner could come down to whichever factors voters value the most.

Chawinga sits first in the league in goals scored and second in assists this season, finding the back of the net against nine different teams along the way. But Orlando forward Barbra Banda isn't far behind. Banda scored one less goal in four fewer games played than Chawinga, all while guiding the Pride to an unprecedented unbeaten streak.

Bethune​ likely has Rookie of the Year on lock, but she's also on the MVP watchlist with five goals and 10 assists in her debut season.

Portland's Sophia Smith takes a shot against Kansas City in a June 2024 match.
With 10 goals so far this season, Portland's Sophia Smith is still in the NWSL award hunt. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)

USWNT attackers also in the NWSL award hunt

Another steady presence on the leaderboard, 2022 MVP Sophia Smith has racked up 10 goals and six assists for the Thorns so far this season, while USWNT teammate Trinity Rodman has also kept herself award-relevant, registering her season's sixth goal last weekend.

This season's attacking firepower has truly set a new standard, leaving many worthy award candidates likely to garner votes by the time NWSL Championship weekend rolls around.

The NWSL saw a lively return to regular season play as the weekend brought a few shakeups to the standings as teams jockey for playoff positioning.

One of the most significant shifts featured the Kansas City Current, whose hot streak has officially cooled after going undefeated through their first 15 matches this season.

Trinity Rodman celebrates during her Washington Spirit's victory over Kansas City on Sunday.
Trinity Rodman and the Spirit beat Kansas City on Sunday to claim second place in the NWSL standings. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Spirit humbles Current with Sunday victory

Kansas City lost 4-1 to the Washington Spirit in their regular-season return on Sunday, weeks after falling 2-1 to league-leaders Orlando in their last pre-Olympics NWSL match. The final scoreline saw the Spirit leapfrogging KC to take second place while the Current dropped to third.

Four different goal-scorers got the job done for the Spirit, including returning Olympian Trinity Rodman. Also showing out was fellow gold medalist Croix Bethune, who's 10th assist tied Tobin Heath’s 2016 single-season record — one the rookie will likely break with nine matches left on the season.

Striker Temwa Chawinga notched KC's lone goal in the loss, breaking a tie with Orlando’s Barbra Banda to top the Golden Boot race with her 13th contribution this season.

Angel City's Alyssa Thompson celebrates her goal with teammate Claire Emslie as San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan lays on the ground.
ACFC's Alyssa Thompson celebrates becoming the NWSL's second teen to score a brace with teammate Claire Emslie on Saturday. (Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Other noteworthy NWSL action

Earning their 18th victory with Friday's 1-0 win over Houston, Orlando has now laid claim to the longest regular-season undefeated streak in league history. Meanwhile, defending NWSL champs Gotham defeated Portland 2-0 on Friday, putting a seven-point margin between the fifth-place Thorns and the table's top four teams.

With Saturday's 3-1 win over the Red Stars, Racing Louisville moved above the postseason cutoff line into eighth place. Also on Saturday, 19-year-old Alyssa Thompson’s brace — the NWSL's second-ever registered by a teen — secured ninth-place Angel City’s 2-1 win over San Diego.