The 2026 NWSL season is about to return to action for the July 4, weekend and many new stars have made their marks for their respective clubs. After the midseason break three in particular lead the way, all on the attacking front, as potential winners of the 2026 NWSL Rookie of the Year award.
Lia Godfrey
The University of Virginia graduate has been crucial to the Wave’s success and top-of-table standing in 2026 with her versatility on the pitch, and calm presence in the attacking third. Godfrey fits
Eidevall’s style very well with constant movement and pressure up the pitch and an eye for creative attacking while dominating possesion. She has primarily played as an attacking midfielder, but is also very capable along the right hand side on the wing.
Godfrey has started nine matches for the Wave and appeared in all 13 matches of the season thus far. In that time Godfrey has made seven goal contributions with four goals and three assists. Her role on the attacking will now be more important for the rest of the season considering the major injury to MVP-contender Dudinha on the left wing. Godfrey will need to connect with a different player on the front line to continue powering the dynamic Wave offense.
Jordynn Dudley
On a team with many international stars in nearly every part of the pitch Dudley has impressed as a rookie on Gotham’s attack following a national championship with Florida State University in 2025. Dudley has appeared in all 11 matches for Gotham thus far and recorded three goals and two assists from the front line, and is a constant threat to opposing defenses.
The 21-year-old forward primarily plays in the right wing position and has a strong dribbling ability in her approach to the penalty area. Gotham FC currently hold the fifth spot on the NWSL standings, but can be even more dangerous on the attack as Dudley will soon be joined by the Matildas’ superstar, Sam Kerr.
Kat Rader
The Dash are in 11th place on the NWSL table, but are only three points out of a playoff position, and Kat Rader has been important member of the Dash attacking front. Rader is listed as a midfielder, but her heat map shows her spending a lot of time time in the right wing spot, while also moving centrally. The 22-year-old has made an appearance in all 12 matches for the Dashe and has earned four goals and an assist thus far.
Rader earned the NWSL rookie of the month award for the month of May for goals in back-to-back matches against Southern California clubs, Angel City FC and San Diego Wave. The goal against Wave nearly took them to victory in the 89th minute, and the goal against Angel City opened the match up in the 17th minute.
Other players to keep an eye on
Mimi Van Zanten may be the best rookie defender in the NWSL with dominant play on the right side of the pitch keeping opponents at bay, and forcing play down the right side with how high she plays. The position was a major question heading into 2025 for the Wave, but Van Zanten has made it a strength and allowed Eidevall’s offense to create threats across the entire pitch.
Houston Dash have many rookies on their roster, and Kate Faasse has also contributed along with Rader. Faasse has played 525 minutes across nine matches and earned three goal contributions with a goal and two assists on the front line. Her connection with Rader helped earn a big victory against Angel City FC before the midseason break.
Denver Summit is a rookie club itself, but well constructed with many experienced NWSL players, though Devin Lynch and Yuna McCormack have played in all 11 matches thus far and contributed important minutes to the expansion club. Lynch is a center midfielder, while McCormack plays in a more attacking role, and has earned an assist in 2026.
