The end of September is upon us and we are down to just five matches.
North Carolina Courage winger Ashley Sanchez has taken the NWSL by storm this season, evolved this season, and now closing in on the goal-scoring season record.
Besides Sanchez leading the push for MVP, who remains in the race?
Ashley Sanchez
The NC Courage forward is having the season of her life. Ashley Sanchez has tallied 19 goals with five matches left and it’s just a matter of time before she tops Temwa Chawinga’s 20-goal record.
She’s the clear
favorite, having already broken the record for most goals by an American in a single season, beating Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn, both with 15 goals. Sanchez also leads the league in combined goals + assists with 23.
Despite the Courage not being among the top teams, they remain strongly in playoff contention with potential to move up before the end of the season. And that is in large part to Sanchez’s contributions. With five goals in August, she was also chosen as the Player of the Month.
Trinity Rodman
Where would Washington Spirit be without their superstar?
She’s third in goals and assists with 18, but her value to the team goes beyond goal contributions. She’s one of the most complete players out there and helped Washington to keep Gotham on their toes. With the Spirit being second in the table, five points shy of the Bats. And if someone’s going to snatch the NWSL Shield off of Gotham’s hands, that’s Washington or San Diego.
Rodman’s raw numbers might not be as good as Sanchez’s, but she’s still have an elite production as a major contributor to a second-place team.
Sophia Wilson
She’s the player to watch whenever Portland plays and has been terrorizing defenses since her rookie season.
Wilson’s name ranks in the top three in several attacking categories. Just to name a few, she leads the league in xG (15.2), in shots on target per 90 (2.2), and in shots per 90 (4.9); she’s also second in xG per 90 (0.68).
Maybe this hasn’t been her best season when finishing on open play (she’s second in big chances missed with 11), but she has been ruthless from the penalty spot, converting all four attempts. Her 11 goals have her third in the Golden Boot race for 2026.
Added to that, she passed club legends Christine Sinclair and Sam Coffey in assists for the club with 18 dimes.
Cloé Lacasse
The league’s queen of assists, Cloé Lacasse shares the league-lead with 10. The Utah Royals winger has had major creative responsibilities this season and has helped the Royals to stay among playoff spots all season long. Currently fourth in the table. Additionally, she’s third in chances created (47).
The Canadian isn’t just the playmaker, but she can also score. Her 17 goal contributions this season so far (10 assists + 7 goals) prove exactly that.
URFC: “Lacasse’s historic season is a large reason why Utah is experiencing its greatest start to an NWSL campaign ever. With a 3-2 win over Bay FC on August 14, the Royals broke the Club record for wins in a season (now up to 13), while simultaneously scoring the most goals in the league (41). Lacasse was also a part of the Royals’ record-breaking 10-game unbeaten streak at the start of the 2026 season, starting every game in that span. With her experience, creativity, and poise in front of goal, Lacasse will play a major role in Utah’s search for a first NWSL title in 2026 and beyond.”
Barbra Banda
Orlando Pride might be out of playoff contention, but none of that has to do with Barbra Banda.
She’s the runner-up for the Golden Boot, three goals shy of Sanchez. And she has tallied three of them and an assist in just two games in September.
Not only that, but her well-rounded performances in that match and in the one against Houston Dash on September 6 made her the highest-rated player on FotMob (8.8).
Now, if only Orlando could get their act together…
