The NWSL Most Valuable Player race is heating up as expected!
Who continues to make the biggest impact for their respective clubs?
Here are five frontrunners for MVP:
Ashley Sanchez
Sánchez’s stocks have skyrocketed this season, and she’s currently only one goal shy of equaling the NWSL Golden Boot leader: Barbra Banda. Her 11 goals, 3 assists and 18 starts put her amongst the favorites in the MVP race.
Although the Courage lost to Houston on Sunday, it was a thrilling match, and North Carolina are having a good season overall, especially with a new head coach, personnel changes, and adversity. And a lot has to do with Sanchez’s production. She has been consistent, strengthened the attack, and has helped with the creation of quality chances in the final third, and also finishing them herself.
Sánchez’s production, team performances and her availability make her one-of-a-kind.
Trinity Rodman
No one can deny how much of a difference Trinity Rodman makes on the pitch. Her goal against Angel City alone speaks volumes about her quality and how she’s able to separate herself from whatever is happening on the field, good or bad.
Rodman’s one of the strongest, physically and mentally in the NWSL, and that shines through in every game she plays. If we talk about numbers, she has scored nine goals and registered five assists in 19 starts.
Additionally, not only are her individual performances good but her team is also successful – second in league table.
Temwa Chawinga
She might not have been present for Kansas in the last few weeks due to her participation in WAFCON with Malawi, but that hasn’t eliminated her from the MVP competition at all.
Despite her five-week absence for her national team commitments, Chawinga is still a serious contender for the Golden Boot award, only three goals shy of Barbra Banda (12).
The Malawian also made a difference in WAFCON. She helped her team to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time ever, scoring five goals and registering two assists, which granted her the tournament’s Golden Boot award.
Croix Bethune
Although Kansas City Current were seemingly invincible last season, 2026 has been more challenging for them. Regardless, Croix Bethune has been one of the players able to steer the ship in the right direction despite being new to the team.
Bethune has been helping Kansas to create a ridiculous amount of goals with her three goals and nine assists in her 19 games (18 starts). Will that be enough to be chosen as MVP? All depends on how KC CUrrent and herself perform in this last part of the year.
Barbra Banda
The Pride is not doing well this season but that’s not affecting Barbra Banda’s individual performances. Her 12 goals in 15 matches have not been the end product of mediocre chances but of how good she is as a finisher.
Nonetheless, Orlando’s performances could hurt her down the line. Right now, they’re out of the playoff picture, four points away from Seattle, the last team in a playoff position. Banda can keep scoring, but if the Pride misses the playoffs, her MVP candidacy will take a huge hit.
