The 2025 NWSL season more than delivered, raising stakes and fueling drama both on and off the field.
From Spirit star Trinity Rodman's goal-scoring injury return to Kansas City's history Shield victory, the year was defined by ups and downs, resilience and growth, and myriad milestones. Investment reached new heights, kicked off by Denver's 2026 expansion team bid and Naomi Girma's million-dollar transfer — a global first for women's soccer.
Off the pitch, the work continued. The year saw a $5 million settlement addressing past misconduct and the introduction of the league's first prospect combine. As for in-game action, the Challenge Cup, Euros, and playoff race additionally showcased the league's unrivaled parity.
This month-by-month review recaps all the unforgettable highlights that made the 2025 NWSL season yet another a defining chapter for the league.
January: Denver lands record bid for 2026 NWSL expansion team
In January, the NWSL approved Denver's bid to become the league's 16th franchise, set to begin play in 2026. The deal came with a then-record $110 million price tag, at the time highest-ever in US professional women's sports. Led by Rob Cohen and Mellody Hobson, the ownership group announced plans to build a dedicated stadium, highlighting the league's financial growth and commitment to expansion.
Runner up: San Diego's Naomi Girma signs with Chelsea in record $1.1 million transfer deal
Wave defender Naomi Girma kicked off the year by transferring to reigning WSL champions Chelsea FC in a historic deal. The transfer fee was a record-breaking $1.1 million, becoming the first in women's soccer history to cross the million-dollar mark. It became a new benchmark for player valuation, further solidifying the competitive tension between the NWSL and European clubs.
February: NWSL raises salary cap ahead of 2025 season kick-off
In February, the NWSL significantly raised team spending in accordance with the most recent league CBA. The salary cap shot up to $3.3 million for a 22-to-26 player roster, supplemented by a new revenue-sharing mechanism. This increase — featuring planned growth over five years — aimed to up player compensation and better compete with European clubs after the league's first full season of unrestricted free agency.
Runner up: NWSL reaches $5 million settlement over abuse investigation
Earlier, the NWSL reached a $5 million settlement to compensate players impacted by the league's historic cultural issues. The result of a joint multi-year investigation by state Attorneys General, the settlement signaled a renewed commitment to accountability, and paved the way for reforms enhancing player safety and welfare.
March: Washington Spirit win the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup in penalties
The Spirit claimed their second trophy in March, winning the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup over reigning NWSL champions Orlando. The final ended 1-1 in regulation after Washington equalized behind a free kick goal from Colombia star Leicy Santos — the second-ever direct free kick goal in NWSL final history. It then moved to penalty kicks. That's when Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury made the difference, securing a penalty save before Tara McKeown converted a shot for the 4-2 win.
Runner up: Boston NWSL expansion team rebrands to Boston Legacy FC
Following public criticism of their initial rollout, Boston's NWSL expansion team — formerly BOSNation — officially rebranded to Boston Legacy FC in March. The new name drew on New England's rich history and women's soccer ties, while also incorporating fan feedback and community connection.
April: Trinity Rodman steps away from Washington Spirit to rehab injury
Washington's Trinity Rodman was ruled out indefinitely in April, stepping away from the team to focus on rehabbing a lingering back injury. Rodman had struggled with the issue since 2021, opting to prioritize recovery in hopes of returning before the season's end. Her absence was a blow to the Spirit, bringing up questions about her future with the team and long-term load management.
Runner up: NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman says league could rival NFL in size
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman made a bold statement in April, saying the league could one day rival the NFL's 32-team field. The prediction highlighted the NWSL's financial rise, exploding fanbase, and eye toward global dominance while underlining its goal to become a major US player. The league welcomed its 17th team in Atlanta in November, with their eyes reportedly on an 18-team setup by 2028.
May: Savy King's medical emergency stirs up player welfare concerns
In May, Angel City FC defender Savy King collapsed mid-match in a regular season game against the Utah Royals. She required 10 minutes of on-field medical attention before being stretchered off, later undergoing surgery for a heart abnormality. The incident sparked criticism after officials decided the game would resume, leading the NWSLPA to demand protocol changes requiring suspension whenever life-saving measures are needed.
Runner up: Gotham wins inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup
Gotham won May's inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup, with the victory automatically punching their ticket to the upcoming FIFA Women's Champions Cup. The continental win brought a new international trophy to the NWSL, elevating the league's profile while subsequently setting the stage for Gotham's eventual 2025 NWSL championship.
June: Coach Jonatan Giraldez departs Washington Spirit for Lyonnes in midseason shakeup
Heads turned in June when Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez left the NWSL midseason to take over French side — and fellow Michele Kang-owned operation — OL Lyonnes. Giráldez, who joined the Spirit after success with FC Barcelona, was immediately succeeded by assistant coach and 2024 interim Adrián González. The move raised questions about Kang's multi-team ownership, and the billionaire's plans for her global company, Kynisca Sports International.
Runner up: San Diego Wave honors Alex Morgan with jersey retirement ceremony
The San Diego Wave honored club icon and USWNT legend Alex Morgan with a June jersey retirement ceremony. The event recognized Morgan's pivotal role in the 2022 expansion team's success, plus her lasting impact on US soccer. Her retirement marked the conclusion of a celebrated career, leaving a legacy of championships and advocacy for women's sports athletes.
July: NWSL stars light up 2025 Women's Euros
As the NWSL pressed pause, several league players headed to Switzerland for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Representing Spain, Gotham's Esther González finished as the tournament's top scorer, earning the Golden Boot award for her four goals and leading Spain to a second-place finish. Seattle's Jess Fishlock captained Wales through their major tournament debut. Fishlock eventually made history by scoring their first-ever Euros goal — while also becoming the oldest goalscorer in tournament history.
San Diego's Delphine Cascarino provided an attacking force for France, with two goals and two assists, including a Goal of the Tournament nominee against the Netherlands. Washington newcomer Sofia Cantore tallied three assists for Italy, playing a pivotal role in her team's underdog journey.
Germany and Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger played quarterfinal hero against France, with nine saves and two penalty blocks to help her team advance. Finally, Berger's partner and Gotham teammate Jess Carter linked up with Spirit standout Esme Morgan to fuel England all the way to back-to-back Euros titles.
August: Spirit striker Trinity Rodman scores game-winner in return from injury
In an emotional return to play, Washington superstar Trinity Rodman scored the game-winning goal against Portland in August. Subbing in late in the match, Rodman fired home the stoppage-time strike to lift the Spirit over the Thorns 2-1. The dramatic contribution cemented Rodman's comeback after four months spent away from the team nursing a lingering back injury.
Runner up: Bay FC sets NWSL attendance record at San Francisco's Oracle Park
Washington defeated Bay FC 3-2 at San Francisco's Oracle Park in August — but the real headline came from the record-breaking 40,091-strong crowd, setting a new single-game NWSL attendance benchmark. That number shattered the previous NWSL high of 35,038, set the previous year at Chicago's Wrigley Field. Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya called it "a historic moment," praising both the quality of play and the atmosphere. Spirit coach Adrián González echoed the sentiment, saying the setup and the fans made the match "something unique."
September: Kansas City Current win 2025 NWSL Shield in record fashion
Kansas City won the 2025 NWSL Shield on September 20th after a 2-0 victory over Seattle, clinching the title faster than any prior NWSL team. The victory solidified the Current's No. 1 playoff seed and home-field advantage, officially rendering them the winningest team in NWSL history. It additionally capped a dominant season that included a record nine-match shutout streak and 14 clean sheets behind Goalkeeper of the Year Lorena.
Runner up: NWSL announces first-ever prospect combine
Concurrently, the NWSL unveiled a major new initiative in September. The league replaced the CBA-abolished college draft with the league's first-ever prospect combine. The event is intended to create a more streamlined player evaluation pathway, while better preparing college athletes for the pros and enhancing talent acquisition across the NWSL.
October: Angel City stars Christen Press and Ali Riley announce pro soccer retirements
Angel City lost two titans in October, as captain Ali Riley and USWNT legend Christen Press announced they were hanging up their boots. First-ever ACFC captain Riley retired after overcoming a chronic nerve injury that sidelined her for much of 2024. Two-time World Champion Press also concluded her decorated run after struggling with knee injuries throughout her career.
Runner up: Houston ends Kansas City's 2025 NWSL unbeaten streak as Temwa Chawinga exits with injury
The Houston Dash ended the Kansas City Current's unbeaten streak in a hard-fought October 18th match. The victory, however, was overshadowed by star Kansas City forward — and 2025 NWSL Golden Boot winner — Temwa Chawinga's early exit. Chawinga's availability became an instant concern for the league-leaders as they headed into the final weeks of the regular season. The fears proved correct, as she had to sit out Kansas City's shocking quarterfinal loss in the playoffs.
November: Rose Lavelle fuels Gotham's 2025 NWSL Championship win
No. 8 Gotham lifted the 2025 NWSL trophy, pulling off a final upset over No. 2 Washington to win a second championship in three years — once again as the lowest seed. Gotham's defense held court, limiting Washington to zero shots on target and setting their attack up to seize opportunities. A second-half ankle knock saw Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt leave Washington down a player as she sought sideline treatment. Gotham's NWSL Final MVP Rose Lavelle subsequently broke the deadlock with the Spirit in disarray, launching an 80th-minute strike to secure the 1-0 victory — and her first league title.
Runner up: Racing Louisville clinches first-ever NWSL playoff appearance
On November 2nd's Decision Day, Racing Louisville clinched a franchise-first trip to the NWSL playoffs. As the No. 7 seed, Louisville set a new club record with 37 points and 10 wins on the season. While their run ended in a quarterfinal loss to Washington, the appearance marked a significant milestone after four consecutive 9th-place finishes. The team's achievement earned manager Bev Yanez 2025 Coach of the Year at the league's end-of-season awards.
Despite a slight dip in attendance, the NWSL has continued to see steady gains from its TV audience this year, posting a league-wide 22% viewership growth during the 2025 regular season.
Prior to last Saturday's title game, the NWSL reported that postseason viewership had risen 5% from the 2024 Playoffs, when the Orlando Pride completed a league-double Shield and championship win.
Even more, ABC and ESPN platforms saw their largest percentage hike for NWSL regular-season matches in history, with the audience growing an impressive 61% year-over-year — though CBS still touts the league's highest viewership average at 479,000 fans tuning in per 2025 match.
Three of ABC/ESPN's top matchups featured the Washington Spirit, with the Portland Thorns also making two appearances in the Top-5 most-watched games of the 2025 season on the platform.
Additionally, CBS's 2025 semifinal between Washington and Portland drew 548,000 viewers while the other NWSL semifinal between Orlando and reigning champs Gotham FC averaged 328,000 viewers on ABC.
Broadcast partner ION, which carries the most linear games each NWSL season, also claimed a 5% increase in overall viewership from 2024.
Ultimately, the NWSL remains competitive with other North American soccer leagues in finding an audience on TV, with the league now aiming to retain its star power in order to encourage even more growth.
Orlando Pride VP of soccer operations and sporting director Haley Carter is stepping down, departing the 2024 NWSL champions to pursue other opportunities, the club announced on Tuesday.
Carter joined the 2024 Shield-winners in January 2023, ushering in arguably the most successful era for the Orlando club thus far by bringing in top talents like striker Barbra Banda, defender Emily Sams, and former Liga MX star Lizbeth Ovalle to help the Pride climb the NWSL standings.
"We'd like to extend our gratitude to Haley for her contributions to the Pride over the past three years," Orlando owner Mark Wilf said in a statement. "Haley played a key leadership role with our club, positioning the Pride among the NWSL's and world's elite clubs."
"I'm beyond thankful to Mark Wilf and the entire ownership group for giving me the opportunity to be part of this club and for their unwavering support throughout my time here," said Carter.
Carter will continue working with the Pride during its transition period as the club searches for its new sporting director.
"We have begun a diligent and methodical search for a new soccer leader who will have the opportunity to work with a championship-caliber roster and coaching staff," said Wilf, before promising that the Pride will "continue its trajectory of success."
No. 8 Gotham FC secured their second playoff upset on Sunday, as a last-minute strike from forward Jaedyn Shaw earned the Bats a dramatic 1-0 semifinal win over the defending champion No. 4 Orlando Pride — and a ticket to next weekend's 2025 NWSL Championship.
The Pride had more chances throughout the closely contested match, but Shaw's masterful direct kick in second-half stoppage time ended Orlando's repeat bid.
"I'm grateful that everybody trusts me to step up in those moments," the 20-year-old midseason signee said postgame. "It starts on the training field, I feel the staff has really helped me improve my free kicks and all set pieces."
Also boosting Gotham's front line on Sunday was 2025 MVP finalist Esther, who returned to the starting lineup after missing the Bats' quarterfinal due to injury.
While Gotham saw the return of their season's top scorer, Orlando entered the match without Pride star striker Barbra Banda, ultimately failing to overcome her ongoing absence due to a midseason SEI.
"I think we were so resilient this season," Pride captain Marta said after the match. "Many people believed that we couldn't go so far, especially after we lost Barbra."
"[Gotham] have a good team, but we needed to be just a little bit more aggressive overall," she added. "We needed to put the ball in."
How to watch Gotham FC in the 2025 NWSL Championship
Sunday's result sends No. 8 Gotham FC to the 2025 NWSL Championship in San Jose, where they'll face the No. 2 Washington Spirit on Saturday.
The match kicks off at 8 PM ET, with live coverage airing on CBS.
Orlando Pride captain and Brazil legend Marta is back in the spotlight, topping the 2025 shortlist for the second-annual FIFA Marta Award — the women's goal-of-the-year prize established in her honor in 2024.
The 39-year-old attacking midfielder took home the inaugural trophy at the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony last December, earning the title for a stellar long-range shot that helped lift Brazil over Jamaica 4-0 in a June 2024 friendly.
Marta's 2025 nomination, however, comes from an iconic goal in club play, with the FIFA Award spotlighting the Orlando game-winner against Kansas City in the 2024 NWSL semifinals — a goal that saw the Pride star force four Current players to the ground with her footwork.
Marta has steep competition for this year's trophy, however, with 10 other goal nominees including a viral scorpion kick by former Tigres UANL star Lizbeth Ovalle, Seattle Reign defender Jordyn Bugg's long-range missile against the North Carolina Courage, forward Ally Sentnor's first-ever USWNT goal at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, and more.
How to vote for the 2025 FIFA Marta Award
Holding 50% of the vote, fans can view and rank their top three goals of 2025 until voting closes on December 3rd.
Voting for the second-ever Marta Award winner is now open at FIFA.com.
The last two NWSL champions will square off on Sunday, as 2023 winners No. 8 Gotham visit No. 4 Orlando on a mission to end the Pride's repeat title bid in the 2025 semifinals this weekend.
"We're an incredible team, and we're just going to capitalize on all the opportunities we can get," said Gotham forward Jaedyn Shaw after last Sunday's upset win over the No. 1 Kansas City Current.
"It seems like most people outside don't believe in the Pride, but the Pride are still the champions," Orlando captain Marta said following the Pride's quarterfinal victory. "There needs to be a little bit more respect for that."
The clubs split their 2025 regular-season series 1-1, with the away side taking all three points each time — though neither team is without an edge.
"I'm really happy to be part of this team, and it's only the beginning. This is the first game of three, so we're going to keep pushing," said Shaw, as the recent record-breaking signee continues fueling Gotham's firepower.
"I love when people count us out," said Pride midfielder Haley McCutcheon. "I feel like the only people who matter are the people in that locker room and the people who are with us every single day, working to achieve the goals we set out to achieve."
How to watch Orlando vs. Gotham in the 2025 NWSL semifinals
With a ticket to the 2025 NWSL Championship on the line, the No. 4 Orlando Pride will host No. 8 Gotham FC at 3 PM ET on Sunday, with live coverage airing on ABC.
The NWSL dropped its end-of-year award shortlists on Monday, as the league gives standout players and coaches props for a quality 2025 regular season.
Back-to-back Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga is up for her second straight NWSL MVP award, with the Current star joined by San Diego Wave forward Delphine Cascarino, Gotham striker Esther González, North Carolina Courage attacker Manaka Matsukubo, and fellow Kansas City forward Bia Zaneratto as international front line stars swept the 2025 MVP shortlist.
Matsukubo is also up for 2025 NWSL Midfielder of the Year alongside Kenza Dali (San Diego), Debinha (Kansas City), Claire Hutton (Kansas City), and Olivia Moultrie (Portland).
Following a record-breaking 2025 NWSL Shield win, the Current received a league-leading eight nominations, with the aforementioned Chawinga, Zaneratto, Debinha, and Hutton joined by Goalkeeper of the Year nominee Lorena, Coach of the Year candidate Vlatko Andonovski, and Defender of the Year shortlisters Kayla Sharples and Izzy Rodriguez.
Notably, the defending champion Orlando Pride is the only club in the 2025 NWSL Playoffs to field zero end-of-season nods, while only Matsukubo, Rookie of the Year nominee Riley Tiernan (Angel City), and Defender of the Year candidate Avery Patterson (Houston Dash) represent teams finishing below the postseason cutoff line.
How to vote for the 2025 NWSL Awards
A weighted scale of players (40%), coaches and leadership (25%), media (25%), and fans (10%) will determine the 2025 NWSL award winners as well as the league's Best XI First and Second Teams, all of which will be revealed in a live ESPN2 broadcast at 5:30 PM ET on Wednesday, November 19th.
Fan voting for the 2025 NWSL Awards is open until 8 PM ET on Wednesday, November 12th.
The 2025 NWSL Award Shortlists
- Most Valuable Player: Delphine Cascarino (San Diego Wave), Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current), Esther González (Gotham FC), Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage), Bia Zaneratto (Kansas City Current)
- Midfielder of the Year: Kenza Dali (San Diego Wave), Debinha (Kansas City Current), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns)
- Defender of the Year: Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current), Kayla Sharples (Kansas City Current)
- Goalkeeper of the Year: Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Lorena (Kansas City Current)
- Rookie of the Year: Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC), Riley Tiernan (Angel City)
- Coach of the Year: Vlatko Andonovski (Kansas City Current), Adrián González (Washington Spirit), Beverly Yanez (Racing Louisville)
Reigning NWSL champs Orlando kicked off their repeat title bid in style, with the No. 4-seed Pride topping a tough No. 5 Seattle Reign 2-0 to punch their ticket to the 2025 semifinals on Friday.
Orlando midfielder Haley McCutcheon opened scoring in the 21st minute, giving the Pride a slim lead well into the second half before captain Marta broke out into a 100-yard solo dash through Seattle's backline, earning the second-half stoppage-time penalty kick that ultimately put the match out of the Reign's reach.
"We have talked so much about this season and compared it to last season," Marta said postgame. "Of course, we don't do the same things we did last year, but we have the same players and the same mentality. We still work so hard and still believe."
After Marta put on the burners to earn that kick from the spot, the Brazil legend chose to cede the spotlight to a beloved teammate.
Marta gave the ball to fellow Pride and Brazil star Luana, a midfielder who recently returned to the pitch after successfully battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma — with Luana going on to sink the penalty to mark her first goal in an Orlando jersey.
"Handing the ball over to Luana optimizes Marta as an individual," said Orlando manager Seb Hines. "She never puts herself above the team and gave the ball to Luana to have her moment."
How to watch the Orlando Pride in the 2025 NWSL semifinals
The No. 4 Orlando Pride will next host No. 8 Gotham FC in the 2025 NWSL semifinals.
The pair will kick off their clash at 3 PM ET on Sunday, with live coverage airing on ABC.
No. 8-seed Gotham FC pulled off an historic upset on Sunday, downing the No. 1 Kansas City Current 2-1 in extra time to oust the winningest team in league history from the 2025 NWSL Playoffs.
Million-dollar midseason signing Jaedyn Shaw put the Bats on the board in the 68th minute, before Kansas City secured a second-half stoppage-time equalizer via defender Ellie Wheeler.
The match initially appeared destined for a penalty kick shootout, until late Gotham substitute Katie Stengel found the back of the net in the 121st minute — the latest game-winning goal in NWSL history.
"Underdog, my ass — we are not an underdog," Shaw exclaimed postmatch. "We came into this game knowing people thought that we were just the last seed that barely made it into the playoffs. That's not who we are."
The bid for the double never took flight for the 2025 Shield-winning Current, with key starting forwards 2024 MVP Temwa Chawinga and USWNT prospect Michelle Cooper ruled out with injury ahead of Sunday's quarterfinal clash.
In their stead, Kansas City forward Bia Zaneratto started the match despite dealing with an MCL sprain, gutting out 114 minutes before Bayley Fiest came in as relief.
"As much as we're disappointed in the final result today, we're not going to allow this result to define our season," said KC manager Vlatko Andonovski. "I think that our players, even today, can walk with their heads up."
How to watch Gotham in the 2025 NWSL semifinals
No. 8 Gotham now faces the defending champion No. 4 Orlando Pride in the 2025 NWSL semifinals — a club with whom the Bats split 2-0 regular-season results.
The match will kick of at 3 PM ET on Sunday, with live coverage airing on ABC.
On a mission to avenge their 13th-place finish last year, No. 5 Seattle will visit the No. 4 Orlando to open the quarterfinals of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs on Friday night, with the Reign laser-focused on ending the 2024 NWSL champions' title defense.
"Everyone wants to go back-to-back, everyone wants to double down on what they've done, and to become a winning club you have to do it multiple times," Orlando defender Carson Pickett said ahead of Friday's quarterfinal.
"In big games, big players step up," said Seattle head coach Laura Harvey. "One thing we know with our squad — and we've shown it all season — is what we look like at the start of the game, we're probably not going to look like that at the end of the game."
Both teams will have room for adjustments, after playing each other to a 1-1 stalemate last Sunday — with Friday's face-off becoming just the fourth regular-season finale rematch in NWSL playoff history.
The Reign will likely continue their defensive-minded five-back approach, while the Pride tries to overcome the absence of injured superstar Barbra Banda.
"The league is getting harder and harder every single year that I've played," said nine-season NWSL veteran Pickett. "It's hard to break a deadlock sometimes, especially in a moment when you absolutely have to win."
How to watch Orlando vs. Seattle in the 2025 NWSL Playoffs
The No. 4 Orlando Pride will host the No. 5 Seattle Reign in the first quarterfinals clash of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs at 7 PM ET on Friday, with live coverage airing on Prime.