Sports Illustrated FC Unveils Their Top Picks for 2025 NWSL's Best Players and Moments
In another exciting year for women's soccer, the NWSL certainly delivered in 2025. A brief summary: Kansas City Current captured their inaugural NWSL Shield, Current's Temwa Chawinga secured the Golden Ball for consecutive seasons (plus received a Ballon d'Or nomination) and Gotham FC completed an exciting journey to claim their second NWSL championship in three years.
But what about all the memorable moments that occurred throughout? Here's an examination of the finest offerings from the 2025 NWSL campaign.
Top Goal – Sofia Cantore for Washington Spirit vs. Houston Dash
While Jordyn Bugg's spectacular strike finished as a close runner-up, Sofia Cantore's strike against Houston Dash represented such smooth teamwork and the ideal introduction for the Italian to the National Women's Soccer League. The buildup ending with a clever back-heel from Cantore receives SI's Top Goal recognition.
Top Save – Ann-Katrin Berger for Gotham FC vs. Orlando Pride
It's difficult to envision a more crucial playoff moment than Ann-Katrin Berger's injury-time fingertip stop that propelled Gotham FC to the NWSL final. The German goalkeeper, who earned the 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year honor, delivered for her squad in spectacular fashion, ultimately leading to the club's second NWSL championship.
Top Assist – Jun Endo for Angel City vs. Houston Dash
Not just the finest assist in the NWSL during 2025, but this could rank among the most remarkable assists ever recorded. It's amazing that Endo even tried this play, much less possessed the awareness and vision to spot Maiara Niehues' run and deliver the perfect pass, using her heel, to find her teammate in perfect position. It's beautiful, bold soccer.
Top Team Celebration – Gotham FC performing 'Feliz Navidad'
Following their NWSL title victory, supporters witnessed exclusive locker room festivities from Gotham FC, featuring an enthusiastic performance of "Feliz Navidad." The reason, you wonder? Well, Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell explained to CBS during the team's NYC City Hall ceremony last month:
"Honestly, we played it in the locker room because the Spanish players always request Spanish music and I believe that's the only song they could think of that includes English too," Howell explained. "So we would play it every time we won and it became our tradition so now we get excited whenever it plays."
Top Goal Celebration – Ashley Hatch's Runway vs. Bay FC
For those fortunate enough to witness it live, this team goal celebration was a fantastic moment. Not only for the dedication from the entire Spirit team to fully embrace the celebration but also because Ashley Hatch clearly seemed slightly uncomfortable being in the spotlight. Coordinated by defender Esme Morgan and forward Trinity Rodman, Hatch embraced the moment and was willing to perform in front of 12,000 spectators.
Top Midseason Transfer – Jaedyn Shaw to Gotham FC
Three goals, two assists and one championship title across 10 matches for Gotham after joining in September represents an incredible impact. Another central or inverted attacking presence didn't seem like an obvious requirement for Gotham, but Shaw proved to be the ideal star addition to their squad and helped them during a remarkable playoff campaign.
Top Quote – "Underdog My Ass," Jayden Shaw, Gotham FC
Shaw truly provided a journalist's perfect quote in a crucial moment. Her delivery, her rhythm, it felt genuinely unfiltered and authentic. A 21-year-old simply being genuine in a press conference. That's where the greatest stories originate. And, what made it even better was Shaw and Gotham backing up that statement.
Unsung Hero – Kayla Sharples, Kansas City Current
The Kansas City Current might not have secured their first NWSL championship, but their Shield-winning regular season could be the finest in league history. Central to that achievement was center-back Kayla Sharples, who started all but one match this season and logged the most minutes of any field player on the Current (2,087).
Certainly, the Current weren't the same without Golden Boot champion and MVP Temwa Chawinga, but the record-setting defense deserves recognition in 2025. Kansas City established NWSL records for clean sheets (16), consecutive shutouts (9) and total minutes without allowing a goal (869). Sharples appeared in every game during that streak. A deserving selection for the NWSL's Best XI for 2025 and possibly an unfortunate omission for Defender of the Year (which went to Tara McKeown).