The 2025 NWSL regular season is rapidly approaching its climax, with only nine weeks remaining, and individual performances are intensifying. Week 17 saw more definitive wins than draws, though the action was still full of thrilling moments. With numerous teams vying for playoff spots, several players delivered game-changing displays, earning their places in our NWSL Team of the Week.
Following each week`s matches throughout the 2025 NWSL campaign, Attacking Third analysts meticulously select the best XI, a head coach, and an honorary captain, based on their weekend contributions. For those following our selections, remember to review our top picks from Week 16.
Week 18 is just around the corner, and fans can catch selected NWSL regular season games across various CBS platforms, including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Let`s delve into the standout athletes who illuminated NWSL`s impressive return to action. Here’s our best XI:
- Goalkeeper: Hannah Seabert (Angel City FC)
- Defender: Sam Staab (Chicago Stars FC)
- Defender: Kate Del Fava (Utah Royals)
- Defender: Ellie Wheeler (Kansas City Current)
- Defender: Sofia Huerta (Seattle Reign)
- Midfielder: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit)
- Midfielder: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)
- Midfielder: Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current)
- Forward: Ludmila (Seattle Reign FC)
- Forward: Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC)
- Forward: Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC)
- Coach: Bev Yanez (Racing Louisville)
- Honorary Captain: Bay FC Ownership Group
- NWSL Haftaning Yulduzli Tarkibi: Alyssa Thompson Va Ludmilaning Ajoyib Namoyishlari
- Darvozabon: Hannah Seabert (Angel City FC)
- Himoyachi: Sam Staab (Chicago Stars FC)
- Himoyachi: Kate Del Fava (Utah Royals)
- Himoyachi: Ellie Wheeler (Kansas City Current)
- Himoyachi: Sofia Huerta (Seattle Reign)
- Yarim himoyachi: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit)
- Yarim himoyachi: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)
- Yarim himoyachi: Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current)
- Hujumchi: Ludmila (Seattle Reign FC)
- Hujumchi: Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC)
- Hujumchi: Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC)
- Murabbiy: Bev Yanez (Racing Louisville)
- Faxriy Sardor: Bay FC Egalik Guruhi
Goalkeeper: Hannah Seabert (Angel City FC)
Hannah Seabert earns her first best XI spot after securing her second consecutive clean sheet. Her two shutouts in two starts were pivotal for Angel City`s victory, highlighted by four saves and effectively handling 20 crosses.
Defender: Sam Staab (Chicago Stars FC)
While conceding three goals isn`t ideal for a defensive line, Chicago`s resilience in securing a result was a collective effort. Sam Staab played a crucial role in the Stars` three-goal comeback, providing two assists to Ludmila.
Defender: Kate Del Fava (Utah Royals)
This center-back is making life incredibly tough for opponents, transforming Utah into a formidable side. She was instrumental in neutralizing Gotham FC`s golden boot contender, Esther Gonzalez, and helping the Royals achieve another clean sheet.
Defender: Ellie Wheeler (Kansas City Current)
In a week where defensive solidity across the league was often lacking, a goal-scoring defender like Ellie Wheeler was a clear choice. The Kansas City Current, already a threat with golden boot leader Temwa Chawinga, now boast defenders contributing goals. Wheeler`s intelligent, well-timed run from a set piece and her decisive shot made her inclusion in our best XI undeniable.
Defender: Sofia Huerta (Seattle Reign)
Defenders stepping up offensively was a recurring theme in Week 17, and Sofia Huerta, Reign`s fullback, exemplified this. The seasoned outside back achieved a new league assist record with her 32nd, remarkably doing so while playing as a third center-back in Seattle coach Laura Harvey`s tactical three-player backline.
Midfielder: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit)
The Washington Spirit are seeing key players return at an opportune moment. Midfielder Croix Bethune, who rejoined the pitch before the league`s mid-season break, is already making a significant impact, scoring her first goal since recovering from an eight-month injury.
Midfielder: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)
Taylor Flint`s presence on the field is unmistakable, not merely due to her height. The Louisville central midfielder excels in aerial duels, interceptions, and tackles. Crucially, she controls the team`s tempo, a factor that proved vital against a strong Week 17 opponent. Analyst Jordan Angeli noted on Attacking Third: «When San Diego did go in transition, I thought there were a number of times where she just, like, shepherded it into a situation where there were numbers. So, I think Taylor Flint had, yet again, a really good game.»
Midfielder: Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current)
Another week, another best XI honor for the 19-year-old midfielder Claire Hutton. She delivered a masterclass performance against one of this season`s most in-form midfields, featuring Thorns players Sam Coffey and Hina Sugita. Angeli elaborated: «A beast in that game [against Portland]. Last year, she was defensively so good, but she lacked that calmness when she got on the ball. And it feels like she has now brought these two pieces together.»
Forward: Ludmila (Seattle Reign FC)
The Chicago Stars extended their unbeaten streak to four games in Week 17, largely thanks to an extraordinary display from Brazilian international Ludmila. Coming off the bench with the Stars three goals down, the forward scored a hat-trick in a mere 10 minutes, setting a new NWSL record for the fastest three goals.
Forward: Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC)
Angel City secured their first win since May 9, courtesy of a clinical finish by forward Alyssa Thompson. The striker skillfully navigated the box before powerfully striking home the game-winning goal.
Forward: Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC)
Few players exhibit more dedication than Bay FC`s Rachael Kundananji. She ranks second in the league and leads her team with 58 total shots but had only one goal to her name until she added another during Bay FC`s landmark game at Oracle Park.
Coach: Bev Yanez (Racing Louisville)
This isn`t Racing Louisville head coach Bev Yanez`s first appearance in our best XI, and with the club`s continued success, it won`t be her last. Louisville`s second year under Yanez has shown a distinct improvement, and with playoffs within reach, something remarkable could be unfolding.
Honorary Captain: Bay FC Ownership Group
Achieving an attendance record in their inaugural 2024 season and then surpassing it in 2025 demonstrates immense ambition. Former players and now club founders, Brandi Chastain, Danielle Slaton, Leslie Osborn, and Aly Wagner, always envisioned the potential in the Bay Area, bringing it to life alongside 40,091 other fans at Oracle Park.
NWSL Haftaning Yulduzli Tarkibi: Alyssa Thompson Va Ludmilaning Ajoyib Namoyishlari
2025 yilgi NWSL muntazam mavsumi o`z yakuniga yaqinlashmoqda, atigi to`qqiz hafta qoldi va o`yinchilarning shaxsiy ko`rsatkichlari tobora keskinlashmoqda. 17-haftadagi o`yinlarda duranglardan ko`ra ko`proq g`alabalar kuzatildi, ammo harakatlar qizg`in daqiqalarga boy bo`ldi. Pley-off bosqichiga chiqish uchun ko`plab jamoalar kurashayotgan bir paytda, bir nechta futbolchilar o`yin taqdirini hal qiluvchi harakatlarni amalga oshirib, bizning NWSL haftaning eng yaxshi jamoasiga kirishga loyiq topildilar.
2025 yilgi NWSL kampaniyasi davomida har hafta o`tkaziladigan o`yinlardan so`ng, «Attacking Third» tahlilchilari dam olish kunlaridagi o`yinlarga asoslanib, eng yaxshi XI o`yinchi, bosh murabbiy va faxriy sardorni ehtiyotkorlik bilan tanlaydilar. Bizning avvalgi tarkiblarimizni kuzatib borayotganlar uchun, 16-haftaning eng yaxshi XI o`yinchilariga qaytib qarashni unutmang.
18-hafta tez orada boshlanadi va muxlislar NWSL muntazam mavsumining tanlangan o`yinlarini CBS platformalarida, jumladan CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ va CBS Sports Golazo Network orqali tomosha qilishlari mumkin.
Keling, NWSLning ta`sirchan qaytishini yoritgan ajoyib sportchilarni ko`rib chiqaylik. Mana bizning eng yaxshi XI:
Darvozabon: Hannah Seabert (Angel City FC)
Hannah Seabert ketma-ket ikkinchi «quruq o`yin»ni o`tkazib, darvozabonlar orasida eng yaxshi XI ro`yxatiga ilk bor kiritildi. Ikki o`yinda ikkita «quruq o`yin» Angel City g`alabasi uchun hal qiluvchi ahamiyatga ega bo`ldi, to`rtta seyv va 20 ta uzatma bilan o`yinni samarali boshqardi.
Himoyachi: Sam Staab (Chicago Stars FC)
Bir o`yinda uchta gol o`tkazib yuborish himoya chizig`i uchun ideal statistika emas, ammo Chicago jamoasining natijaga erishish uchun qilgan harakatlari jamoaviy ishlashning mahsuli edi. Sam Staab Starsning uchta gol farqini yo`qotishida muhim rol o`ynadi, Ludmilaga ikkita golli uzatma berdi.
Himoyachi: Kate Del Fava (Utah Royals)
Bu markaziy himoyachi raqib jamoalar uchun o`yinni nihoyatda qiyinlashtirmoqda va Utahni jiddiy raqibga aylantirmoqda. U Gotham FCning «oltin butsa» nomzodi Esther Gonzalezni zararsizlantirishga va Royals uchun yana bir «quruq o`yin»ni ta`minlashga yordam berdi.
Himoyachi: Ellie Wheeler (Kansas City Current)
Ligada himoya ko`pincha shubhali bo`lgan haftada, gol uradigan himoyachi Ellie Wheelerning tanlanishi ajablanarli emas. «Oltin butsa» yetakchisi Temwa Chawinga bilan doimiy tahdid soladigan Kansas City Current jamoasida endi himoyachilar ham gol urishmoqda. Wheelerning standart vaziyatdan keyin aqlli va o`z vaqtida qilgan yugurishi va aniq zarbasi uni bizning eng yaxshi XI tarkibidan tashlab ketishga imkon bermadi.
Himoyachi: Sofia Huerta (Seattle Reign)
Himoyachilarning hujumda faollashuvi 17-haftaning asosiy mavzusi bo`ldi va Reignning qanot himoyachisi Sofia Huerta ham shunday namuna ko`rsatdi. Tajribali qanot himoyachisi 32-golli uzatmasi bilan ligada yangi rekord o`rnatdi, ajoyib tarzda Seattle murabbiyi Laura Harveyning uch himoyachili taktikasiida uchinchi markaziy himoyachi sifatida o`ynab shunday natijaga erishdi.
Yarim himoyachi: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit)
Washington Spirit jamoasi o`zining asosiy o`yinchilarini juda qulay vaqtda qaytarib olmoqda. Ligadagi mavsum o`rtasi tanaffusidan oldin maydonga qaytgan yarim himoyachi Croix Bethune allaqachon sezilarli ta`sir ko`rsatmoqda, sakkiz oylik jarohatdan so`ng birinchi golini urdi.
Yarim himoyachi: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)
Taylor Flintning maydondagi mavjudligini sezmaslik qiyin, bu nafaqat uning olti futlik bo`yi tufayli. Louisville markaziy yarim himoyachisi havo to`plari, to`pni olib qo`yishlar va to`p uchun kurashlarda ustunlik qiladi. Eng muhimi, u jamoaning tempini belgilash va nazorat qilishda hal qiluvchi rol o`ynadi, bu esa 17-haftada kuchli raqibga qarshi o`z samarasini berdi. Tahlilchi Jordan Angeli «Attacking Third» ko`rsatuvida shunday dedi: «San Diego hujumga o`tganida, u bir necha bor to`pni shunday vaziyatga yo`naltirdiki, u yerda raqamlarda ustunlik bor edi. Shunday qilib, Taylor Flint yana bir bor juda yaxshi o`yin o`tkazdi deb o`ylayman.»
Yarim himoyachi: Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current)
Yana bir hafta, yana bir eng yaxshi XI faxri 19 yoshli yarim himoyachi Claire Hutton uchun. U bu mavsumning eng yaxshi formada bo`lgan yarim himoyachilaridan biri, Thorns o`yinchilari Sam Coffey va Hina Sugitaga qarshi ajoyib o`yin ko`rsatdi. Angeli qo`shimcha qildi: «O`sha o`yinda [Portlandga qarshi] u hayvondek edi. O`tgan yili u himoyada juda yaxshi edi, ammo to`pni qo`lga kiritganda xotirjamlik yetishmasdi. Va endi u bu ikki qismni birlashtirgandek tuyuladi.»
Hujumchi: Ludmila (Seattle Reign FC)
Chicago Stars 17-haftada to`rtta o`yindan buyon mag`lubiyatsiz seriyasini davom ettirdi, bu asosan braziliyalik xalqaro o`yinchi Ludmilanining ajoyib o`yini tufayli. Stars uchta gol farqi bilan yutqazayotgan bir paytda zaxiradan maydonga tushgan hujumchi atigi 10 daqiqada xet-trik qayd etdi, bu NWSL tarixidagi eng tez uchta gol urish rekordi bo`ldi.
Hujumchi: Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC)
Angel City 9-maydan beri g`alaba qozonmagan edi va bu nihoyat hujumchi Alyssa Thompsonning aniq zarbasi tufayli o`zgardi. Hujumchi jarima maydonchasi ichida mohirona harakat qilib, so`ngra g`alaba golini darvozaga kiritdi.
Hujumchi: Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC)
Bay FCning Rachael Kundananji kabi mehnatkash futbolchisi kamdan-kam topiladi. U ligada ikkinchi o`rinda va jamoada umumiy zarbalar soni bo`yicha yetakchilik qiladi (58), ammo bunga qadar faqat bitta gol urgan edi, Oracle Parkdagi Bay FCning tarixiy o`yinida u yana bir gol qo`shdi.
Murabbiy: Bev Yanez (Racing Louisville)
Racing Louisville bosh murabbiyi Bev Yanezning bizning eng yaxshi XI ro`yxatimizga kirishi birinchi marta emas va agar klub g`alaba qozonishda davom etsa, bu oxirgisi bo`lmaydi. Yanez boshqaruvidagi Louisville jamoasining ikkinchi yili butun mavsum davomida o`zgacha tuyg`u berdi va pley-offga yaqinlashib qolgan bir paytda, qandaydir ajoyib narsa yuzaga kelishi mumkin.
Faxriy Sardor: Bay FC Egalik Guruhi
2024 yilgi debyut mavsumida tashrif rekordini o`rnatib, 2025 yilda uni yangisi bilan davom ettirish? Bu katta ambitsiya. Sobiq o`yinchilar va hozirda klub asoschilari Brandi Chastain, Danielle Slaton, Leslie Osborn va Aly Wagner har doim Bay hududidagi salohiyatni ko`rishgan va uni Oracle Parkda 40 091 nafar boshqa muxlislar bilan birga hayotga tatbiq etishdi.
