Currently, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)  is at the halfway point of their season. We have seen a few changes to some key teams, a leader board that is pretty familiar from last year with a few new faces, and some disappointments. Let’s dive into it!

1. The Top of the Leaderboard

At the top of the leaderboard, we see a few names that viewers saw last year. Dominating the top spot are the Kansas City Current who have a record of 11-0-2 and have won the last five games. This isn’t surprising as this team had hit a serious stride last season as well, led by recent United States Women’s National Team player Lo’eau LaBonta. LaBonta captains the Current from the midfield and also has three goals under her belt and one assist this season. The Current also benefit from having star player Temwa Chawinga, who has 8 goals and 2 assists in 14 games.

The leaderboard has other familiar names like the Orlando Pride, who won the NWSL Shield and Championship in 2024, and the Washington Spirit, who are battling the season without Trinity Rodman. 

The biggest surprise in the top four? San Diego Wave FC. Last season they had the firing of Casey Stoney, Alex Morgan’s retirement, a complete rebuild season, losing Jaedyn Shaw and Naomi Girma, and they ended the season in 10th with a record of 6-7-13. It was a tough season, for sure. For 2025, they brought in former Arsenal Women’s head coach Jonas Eidevall and some new players which has really set them up for success this season. The Wave are currently in third place, above the Spirit and Portland Thorns, with a record of 7-3-3. They recently let Maria Sanchez get traded back to the Tigres Femenil, but I don’t see this slowing them down whatsoever. 

This will certainly make playoffs interesting.

2. Boston Legacy FC rename, rebrand, and head coach

We all remember girl boss nation, right? Or more accurately, BOS Nation as the name of the NWSL Boston team before they (rightfully) rebranded and renamed themselves to the Boston Legacy FC. With a new name and point of view, they needed to name a head coach to lead the expansion team entering the league in 2026. 

Benfica coach Filipa Patão has been hired as the new head coach of the National Women's Soccer League club Boston Legacy. Patão is an excellent choice, having won Portugal’s top title five years in a row. It also addresses the criticism by many that there are not enough women coaching in the NWSL, so Patão brings the total to 3 coaches out of 16 teams. Now we look to the Denver NWSL expansion hoping they might bring it to a total of 4 coaches…

3. Coach swap at the Washington Spirit

In 2024, the Washington Spirit brought Jonatan Giráldez over to the NWSL to take over coaching from Adrián González. It was an exciting change, with many praising owner Michelle Kang for snagging Giráldez and bringing him to the USA. Cue the fanfare and cheering from fans!

Hit the hard record scratch when Kang decided his time with the Spirit would be done after two half seasons. Giráldez is now leaving the Washington Spirit to tackle one of Kang’s other teams in Europe. It brings up a lot of questions about the power someone has when they own multiple teams across leagues (ring ring Power imbalance? ) but also must be a sore spot for the Spirit fans who were just starting to get used to Giráldez. 

Giráldez will be moving over to the OL Lyonnes French club, which is owned by Michelle Kang. Giráldez even made a comment that it is “best for both sides”, which is surely interesting. This puts González back in the helm for the Spirit, who in their last game before the break against the San Diego Wave was able to keep a clean sheet. Perhaps this is the story of the Spanish friends we made along the way…I am most intrigued to see what González does with the rest of the season and what is to come for the Spirit.

4. What is up with Chicago?

The Chicago Stars, who hit us with a big rebrand only for their season to fall…flat, have certainly struggled in the 2025 season. It started with a silent absence from Stars star, Mal Swanson, who later announced that she was pregnant with her first child. A big sigh of relief came from the crowd, surely, as many watched Swanson struggle through a difficult injury and long recovery period. We wish Mal Swanson all the best and for a smooth pregnancy and birth!

But this would probably be the last smooth sailing for Chicago, who are sitting in the bottom of the table in the standings with a record of 1-3-9. The only team below them would be the Utah Royals FC who have a record of 1-2-10. 

Chicago has not spent any money on the transfer market…and it shows. Without Swanson at the helm, there surely is a gap in play for the Stars. It culminated it Lorne Donadlson getting fired from the team for their track record, which is the worst in club history. Apparently, their general manager, Richard feuz, is banking on the new intra-league transfer opportunities.

“We are the only team in the last 15 months who hasn’t spent a dime on the transfer market,” 

“If I want to have an economical balance, a positive economical balance, I need to trade more than spend.”

Bold move, let’s see how that works out for Chicago.

5. Golden boot, MVP, and Championship Winners

It certainly is much too early to call out titles like the golden boot winner, the mvp of the league, and the winners of the championship or shield for the NWSL…which is exactly why I am going to do it. 

The golden boot race is currently led by Esther González of Gotham FC with seven goals. I believe six of those seven are braces from 3 different games, which is remarkable all on its own. González is outstandingly creative and I imagine a nightmare to defend due to this. Tied with González is Orlando Pride forward Barbara Banda, who also has seven goals. 

Behind them is Riley Tiernan from Angel City FC with six goals, which has secured her wins against teams like the Washington Spirit this season. Tied with Tiernan is Ashley Hatch of the Washington Spirit as well as Golden Boot winner from 2024 Temwa Chawinga of the KC Current. Chawinga won last years Golden Boot with 20 goals across the season, which is absolutely amazing to watch, but will she be able to pull ahead in the race in the second half of the year?

My early prediction winner is going to be Esther González. She has been on a hot streak this season. I do think the race will be much tighter this year, but I am rooting for you Esther!

In terms of MVP, last year Chawinga took that title as well partially due to scoring the most goals in a single season in league history and a 8 game consecutive scoring record. But this year, let’s see who ends up with the title! 

My choice is Delphine Cascarino of the San Diego Wave FC. Cascarino has been player of the week during week 5 of this season and she has been an absolute menace for the Wave. She is leading the league in assists and magic is bound to happen when her feet touch a soccer ball. Her connection with the other players, especially Kenza Dali and Perle Morroni, has been a delight to watch. I actually call it the “French Connection” and scream VIVE LA FRANCE every time, so I am hoping that catches on. 

For Championship titles, there is my hope and there is my suspicion. My hope is that the San Diego Wave are able to continue their climb and hit the playoffs with a bang to take the title. It is certainly a selfish decision, but what can you do? In earnest, it seems like the Kansas City Current are a bit unstoppable this season. Michelle Cooper has become even more dangerous on the pitch, paired with the teams synchronized style and communication skills…it will be hard to dethrone the number one seated team. I think my suspicion lies with the KC Current, even if it hurts me to say.

That is all I have for this halfway point in the 2025 NWSL break…what do you think?