Last week, all sixteen clubs were gathered and represented for the second ever NWSL Media Day ahead of the 2026 regular season.
Here are All For XI’s top moments from the 2026 NWSL Media Day:
Bay FC’s Jordan
Silkowitz dream 2025 season
A year ago, Silkowitz questioned whether she would continue playing the game at all. Today, she is Bay FC’s undisputed starter, one of the NWSL’s top-performing goalkeepers, and living out her childhood dream with the USWNT.
For more on her incredible journey, here is our latest feature.
Kenza Dali forever
San Diego Wave midfielder Kenza Dali isn’t sure she’ll ever quit football.
Heading into her 17th professional season, the 34-year-old carries the same love for the game she felt on Day One.
“You know what, it’s funny, because I’m the fittest on the team,” Dali said. “(Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall) can tell you. I look at age in terms of experience. You can’t match that. There are things in football you don’t learn on the pitch — you learn them through moments.”
Full feature can be found here 🙂
Why Avery Patterson plays soccer
USWNT and Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson spoke about the now-stable culture she feels has been developed with the Houston Dash. The players have culture meetings with the coach every week, and speak with sports psychologists answering questions like, “Why do we play soccer?” At the end of our conversation Patterson answered exactly that question.
The Captain of the Utah Royals
Paige Cronin (née Monaghan) shares what being the captain and leader of Utah Royals means to her.
“At first, I was scared,” said Cronin. “I’ve never done this before. For me I put a lot of pressure on myself, I try to listen to others, figure it all out. But, I think I learned through the highs and the lows.”
“It means everything.”
Must Watch: Her sister’s reaction is incredible
USWNT and North Carolina Courage midfielder Riley Jackson shares her excitement to finding out she made the senior team for the first time, her sister’s hilarious reaction, and her first ever goal contribution – an assist to Trinity Rodman.
Rookie of the Year finalist on her storybook season
Angel City FC forward Riley Tiernan talks about her special rookie season and if she’s had a chance to take in all of the wonderful success from it.
“I was not expecting any of this coming out of college. It’s everything I’ve worked for. It’s something I’ve been working towards my whole life. But, to see it all fall into place and to get these small and big accomplishments has been really special.”
“I would say I’m still digesting, the fact that I’m living in the best place in the world, doing what I love to do for a job.”
Emeri Adames is very serious about her national holiday idea
Seattle Reign forward Emeri Adames reveals her idea for a national holiday, and you better like it!
“I would do National Pickle Day because I love pickles so much. I think everyone should like pickles. And when they say they don’t like pickles, it makes me mad.”
Bullseye!
San Diego Wave defender Kennedy Wesley reveals while at Target, she found out that she had made the USWNT.
“It was really exciting. I had gotten an email but I don’t check it as frequently as I should. So I was a little bit late, but I saw it when I was with my mom at Target. We were both through the roof, very surprised, very full of excitement and gratitude.”
2025 NWSL Midfielder of the Year
North Carolina Courage star Manaka Matsukubo shares what it means to be honored with that award and gives plenty of love to her teammates and family.
“I am honored. However, it’s not just me, it’s my teammates.”
LA 2028 Summer Olympics
Washington Spirit and USWNT forward, and California native Trinity Rodman talks her excitement about playing at home for the 2028 LA Olympics.
“It always is like this full-circle moment because I grew up here and I started playing soccer down here.”
“I’m so excited. I’m going to have a lot of people, so I better start getting tickets ready for it.”
2025 NWSL Breakout Star
Jordyn Bloomer stole the show in the NWSL in 2025 and will be a player to look out for this season as well.
However, her journey has been filled with adversity, patience, and so much more, but she has gotten past all of it. Now, she is shining brighter than ever.
The goalkeeper discussed her unique journey with us.
Home Sweet Home
California native Onyeka Gamero shares what it means to be coming back to her home state and join the NWSL.
“I remember saying, ‘I want to be back in the U.S., I’ll go anywhere.’ But of course being in California – my parents right there, everything is so familiar.”
“It just feels nice. I feel good. For me as a player, I feel like that’s where it starts, just feeling ok.”
Emma Hayes’ influence
Washington Spirit star midfielder Croix Bethune shares some of the key details from her conversation with USWNT head coach Emma Hayes.
Boston Legacy’s guardian
Casey Murphy made a big move to the Boston Legacy joining as a free agent goalkeeper. One of the reasons she gave at NWSL media day was the titles. Boston is a city that notoriously cares deeply about their sports. Mistakes can linger in the minds of players and fans with the pressure, here’s what Murphy had to say on the matter.
Mina’s Day?!
Did Utah Royals forward Mina Tanaka come up with the greatest holiday ever?
