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The 2025 NWSL regular season has officially reached its halfway mark, culminating in a dramatic Week 13 before the league takes an extended pause for international duty. This final stretch offered all 14 clubs one last chance to secure vital points, resulting in a wealth of exceptional individual performances.
Following the weekend`s fixtures, analysts diligently reviewed the action to select the standout Best XI, a head coach, and an honorary captain. With over 300 players competing, the task of narrowing it down to just eleven becomes increasingly challenging at this stage of the season. Let`s dive into who earned recognition this week for their impactful contributions.
Guarding the Net
Leading the line, or rather, guarding it with exceptional skill, is goalkeeper Lorena from the Kansas City Current. Her performance has been nothing short of revelatory this season. She currently sits atop the league in clean sheets with six and boasts the second-highest save percentage among goalkeepers with significant playing time. A true game-changer, her acquisition has undeniably reshaped Kansas City`s defensive identity. Her Week 13 highlight? A crucial penalty save that sealed all three points for her side.
Defensive Anchors and Attack-Minded Fullbacks
The backline saw several familiar and new faces stepping up. For Bay FC, defender Alyssa Malonson earned a spot through sheer consistency and work rate. While Bay FC navigates a tough patch, Malonson has been a reliable figure, constantly covering ground and winning possession. Even in a challenging road match, her effort and defensive contributions were noteworthy, highlighted by intelligent reading of the game and timely interceptions.
Returning to the Best XI is Kayla Sharples of the Kansas City Current, who delivered yet another commanding display in a shutout victory. Sharples has become both the steadfast anchor and a vocal leader for Kansas City`s defense. Her consistent, high-level play, including her improved ability to play out from the back – a skill she`s clearly enhanced this season – makes her a recurring presence on this list.
The Washington Spirit`s resilience was on full display, and defender Tara McKeown was central to their defensive solidity, making her another repeat selection. McKeown provided a dominating presence, leading the team in crucial defensive statistics like total touches and clearances. Demonstrating fearlessness, she also contributed higher up the pitch from her central position, showcasing her versatility.
Rounding out the defense is Arin Wright, the captain of Racing Louisville FC. Her leadership has been instrumental in Racing`s impressive run of five wins in their last seven games. Wright makes her return to the team of the week thanks to her defensive prowess, intelligent positioning, and impactful contributions, notably showcasing her set-piece skills and scoring with a clinical header.
Midfield Maestros and Engine Room Leaders
In the midfield, Portland Thorns FC captain Sam Coffey continues to impress, earning another Best XI nod. Her quick thinking on the ball and decisive decision-making were pivotal in securing another victory for her team. Her vision was highlighted by delivering the game-winning assist to a rookie teammate.
Joining Wright from Racing Louisville is midfielder Taylor Flint. Flint has been a consistent force in Racing`s midfield, providing a robust defensive presence. At the season`s halfway point, she leads her team in key defensive metrics like tackles, duels, clearances, and interceptions. Adding to her value, she`s also become the team`s reliable penalty taker, converting her third goal of the season from the spot.
Providing experience and flair for Seattle Reign FC is South Korea international Ji So-yun, who earns her first Best XI selection this year. She showcased her quality in a dominant road win, not only providing an excellent assist but also confidently slotting home a goal from inside the box, illustrating her attacking threat from midfield.
Dynamic Forwards
Up front, Seattle Reign`s young talent shone brightly. 19-year-old forward Emeri Adames made waves by scoring two of the Reign`s four goals. Adames displayed remarkable composure on her penalty conversion and clinically finished from open play. Her performance etched her name into the league`s record books as the second-youngest player ever to score a brace in a single game – a promising sign for the future.
For the North Carolina Courage, forward Manaka Matsukubo has been a key figure in their quiet ascent back towards the playoff picture. While just outside the line at the break, Matsukubo`s recent form, including her game-winning assist in Week 13, provides significant optimism for the Courage as they regroup.
Finally, ensuring the Kansas City Current continue to look like a formidable force, Brazilian forward Bia Zanerrato provided the decisive touch. While her compatriot Lorena handled business at the back, Zanerrato delivered the all-important game-winning goal, securing another win for the high-flying Current.
Leading the Charge
The Head Coach of the Week is Bev Yanez from Racing Louisville FC. Guiding her team to five wins in their last seven matches is a testament to her tactical influence and the growing confidence within the squad. Racing`s historical struggles to make the playoffs are well-documented, making their current strong form heading into the break particularly noteworthy. The challenge now lies in maintaining this momentum.
The Indomitable Spirit
Perhaps the most compelling story, recognized as the Honorary Captain this week, is the collective spirit of the Washington Spirit Locker Room. Facing their seventh head coaching change since 2021 – a level of managerial turnover that would test any team`s stability – the players have remarkably maintained a unified and competitive energy. Despite the off-field churn, they remain firmly in playoff contention through the first half of the season, a powerful demonstration of player leadership and resilience that deserves special recognition.
As the league takes its well-deserved break, Week 13 provided a final showcase of the talent and competitive fire that defines the NWSL. These selected individuals and the highlighted teams represent the pinnacle of performance from the season`s halfway point, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the league`s return and the second half of the campaign.
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