The playoff field has its first confirmed guest, and transfer rumors are swirling over Angel City. Meanwhile, the Sphere of Mediocrity grows ever larger.

Here’s how they shape up after most of Week 18:

Cream of the Crop

x-Kansas City Current (15-2-1, 46 pts; vs Courage, 2-0):  Temwa Chawinga did not score against the North Carolina Courage, but neither did the Courage. That leaves Chawinga with 11 goals while the Current have conceded only 10. Kayla Sharples continues to stay in the discussion for Defender of the Year, and even as it has taken Ally Sentnor some time to fully integrate into the attack, the defense has become a well-oiled machine, and the win over the Courage made the Current the first team to secure an official invite to the 2025 playoffs. The only bad news is that Esther Gonzalez scored for Gotham to edge ahead of Chawinga in the Golden Boot race.

Angel City wins two in a row as transfer rumors involving Alyssa Thompson heat up, the Kansas City Current clinch a playoff spot before Labor Day, bottom teams continue to make things interesting, and Racing Louisville drop yet more points in stoppage time.

Where does Angel City stand amidst Alyssa Thompson’s reported transfer interest?

Angel City earned a 2-1 win over California counterparts Bay FC, and now sit just outside the playoff line in ninth place. Monday night’s result, however, feels like a burial of the lede, as it was set in the backdrop of multiple departures. On Wednesday, the club announced the transfers of Alana Kennedy and Katie Zelem to the Lion City Lionesses for an unspecified fee. Those exits were soon overshadowed by bombshell reports of Chelsea’s interest in 20-year-old star winger Alyssa Thompson. The deal is reportedly in “advanced talks” prior to the FA Women’s Super League’s deadline day on September 4, as Thompson was an “excused absence” from Monday’s match.   

When National Women’s Soccer League games resumed following the mid-season break, Bay FC and Houston Dash played to a dramatic 2-2 draw at PayPal Park. The game on August 2 served as a prime example of Bay FC’s position in the table and showcased both the good and poor qualities that the San Francisco-based team has displayed this season.

Bay’s defensive lapse — allowing an unmarked Sophie Schmidt to equalize late — reflected their inconsistency thus far. But their attack, driven by creative midfield play and wide combinations, showed promise. Their offense combines power, pace, and creativity, but it’s midfielder Taylor Huff’s ascendancy as Bay’s prime creative attacker that has become a significant factor in their success.

The 22-year-old American has been a revelation since signing her first professional contract in January out of Florida State University. Huff has become the glue that controls and feeds the attacking system.

Some familiar names on this list have continued to stand out, while others have found themselves on our list for the first time. In the first year without the NWSL draft, one thing is clear: these rookies have come to play, and are contributing in big ways to their clubs.

Riley Tiernan – Angel City FC

Back when we did our first edition of standout rookies, Tiernan was firmly on the list with three goals and an assist through six matches. Now 13 games in, Tiernan has cemented herself not only as one of Angel City’s best players but also one of the top scorers in the league with seven goals to lead ACFC. Tiernan is not only firmly in the conversation for Rookie of the Year – and may very well be the frontrunner – but has also put herself in position to potentially win the Golden Boot, being in fourth place and just three goals behind current leader Esther González.

Her +4.4 xG leads the league, and she’s converting her shots on target. In total, she ranks in the top 10 in 11 major offensive stat categories, according to FBRef, and has been one of the league’s top-producing offensive players. After being named the May Rookie of the Month – marking back-to-back Rookie of the Month nods – and to the NWSL Team of the Month, she received a call-up to the U-23 U.S. women’s national team camp in June, and her two appearances were her first of any kind within the USWNT system. 

Trinity Armstrong – San Diego Wave FC

There were questions about Naomi Girma’s departure on what San Diego’s backline would look like in her absence. Trinity Armstrong has provided that answer. Back in early June, The Equalizer’s Sebastian Bush identified Armstrong as one of three NWSL standouts flying under the radar. Defensively, Armstrong’s abilities have continued to impress. And at just 17 years old, that makes her rookie performances even more eye-popping. She’s been a key part of San Diego’s surge into third place in the standings, allowing just 16 goals on the season. Armstrong currently holds an 88.1% pass completion rate, holding above 90% completion in each of San Diego’s last three games. 

Named as part of the league’s Best XI in May, she was the youngest player in NWSL history to be named to a team of the month. She had a goal and two assists on top of her defensive play, with her first career goal coming at a critical moment to hand the Wave a 2-1 victory over Bay FC. She’s the youngest player in league history to have a stoppage-time game-winner. While Tiernan is cementing herself in the conversation for Rookie of the Year, Armstrong is right there with her. 

While she’s only reached the U-17 squad, it’s likely that if Armstrong’s play continues, we’ll soon get to see Armstrong and Naomi Girma play together on the USWNT’s backline, which should be an enticing prospect for national team fans everywhere.

Taylor Huff – Bay FC

Taylor Huff has started in each of her 13 matches played for Bay FC, and has made an immediate impact for the Bay in its second season in the league and earned three call-ups to the USWNT U-23 team so far this year. Her passing abilities are among the best in the league, with Huff ranking fourth overall in passes into the penalty area. She’s also fifth in the league in total crosses with 58 and leads Bay. 

Huff leads all Bay midfielders in pass completion, ahead of players like Kiki Pickett, having completed 311 of her 461 passes. Her 38-shot creating actions rank first on Bay FC, and she’s also good at drawing penalties, making her a dangerous player to take your eyes off. 

Lilly Reale – Gotham FC

Lilly Reale’s play earned her her first-ever senior national team call-up in July, and her international debut to go along with it in a 4-0 win over Ireland. Named to the Best XI of the Month in April, Reale has one goal and one assist, having started in 11 of 12 matches for Gotham FC. She also played a full 90 in both of Gotham’s Concacaf W Champions Cup matches, gaining valuable minutes in the final that the team won. 

A shift from central to left back has allowed Reale’s talents to shine through and has helped the team’s backline allow just 13 goals – tied for fourth-lowest in the league alongside Seattle. 

Jayden Perry – Portland Thorns

Rookie center backs have come to play this season. While her goals have come off of penalties, the ability to score goals as a center back isn’t something you come by every day. And Perry not only has been doing that for Portland, she’s become a staple of the Thorns’ defense as a rookie. With a proven ability to adapt within games, she’s established herself not only as one of the best rookie defenders, but also one of the best across the league.

Not only does Perry know where to position herself in the box to help with clearances, she also holds a calmness under pressure that would make you think she’s a seasoned veteran – not a 22-year-old rookie. She’s been able to find her teammates and break through the first line of pressure, while also pressing on the dribble – that Perry can do both well is huge for a Portland team that aims to possess and break teams down on the ball. Plus, she’s been able to contribute offensively, with her three goals and one assist tied for the second-most points on the team behind fellow rookie Reilyn Turner, and Sam Coffey. Those three goals may be off of penalty kicks, but they also rank her first in the league for penalty kicks made, and it’s not like a penalty kick is always a guarantee.

9.) North Carolina prove progress is impossible without change

The Courage endured a nightmare start to its 2025 campaign, earning just two points from an available 15. The early crisis in Cary prompted tweaks to North Carolina’s trademark playing style. Under head coach Sean Nahas, the Courage has become famous for its silky, dynamic, possession-dominant play. But with such a style failing to yield results, North Carolina has since swapped its obsession with possession for pragmatism. It adjusted its formation to a three-back system to enable more stability in midfield and wide areas.

The changes have paid off. The Courage have accrued an impressive 5-2-1 record in the interim, and are tied on points with the current eighth place holders Gotham. Courage forward Manaka Matsukobo has particularly profited, scoring a team-leading four goals and notching four assists in the last five matches. 

North Carolina’s late comeback win over the Houston Dash in the final matchday before the summer break symbolizes its first half of the season. It overcame an early deficit to score two unanswered goals in the closing 20 minutes. Forwards Jaedyn Shaw and Hannah Betfort both broke their goal-scoring ducks with the vital goals. According to the sports analytics service Opta, the Courage now lead the league in points gained from a losing position, with eight.  

10.) Bay FC find themselves in the messy middle

So close, yet so far. Bay FC feel like a protypical mid-table club in that they often outplay opponents this season, yet they do not have the points to show for it. Only once has Bay conceded more than two goals in a match and lost by more than a two-goal margin — and that was away at imperious Kansas City. Bay FC often hangs tough in games but simply cannot deliver the goods when it matters most. They own the third-worst big chance conversion record, per Opta. Asisat Oshoala remains mired in ‘bust’ territory with zero goals or assists on the season.

Bay FC are on a quest for consistent form, as Albertin Montoya’s side has not yet strung together consecutive wins or draws this season. Bay FC will need to discover another missing piece to its jigsaw to return to the playoffs. 

11.) Can Angel City discover its mettle?

Head coach Alexander Straus officially joined Angel City from Frauen-Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich on June 1. In the three matches Straus has overseen, Angel City have lost twice and drawn once. For context, Straus only experienced two Bayern Munich league losses in the entirety of the three seasons in which he helmed the club. Perhaps it is a culture shock, a deficient squad, or a glaring symbol of the parity absent in other global leagues. Regardless, Angel City has yet to benefit from a new manager bounce and currently sits three points outside the playoff position. 

Notably, since Savy King’s horrifying on-field medical event on May 9, Angel City has yet to pick up a win or keep a clean sheet. Straus is tasked with helping Angel City strike a more even balance between attack and defense. Led by rookie Riley Tiernan and starlet Alyssa Thompson, Angel City are the only team outside the top four with 20 goals to its name. However, they have conceded the third most goals in the league, with 58% of its shipped goals occurring in the second half. It has certainly been a tough go, but Angel City will need to emerge from the international break with resolve and resilience. 

12.) Houston Dash fail to launch, again

The Houston Dash has been plagued by mediocrity through the entirety of its existence. Only once in its 11-year history has the Dash qualified for the postseason. Based on results and performances at the midway point, the Dash appear to remain on that turgid trajectory.

Despite several splashy off-season pick-ups such as Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan, and Messiah Bright as well as a spate of promising early performances, Houston has reverted to the mean. They are now seven points adrift of a playoff spot. Matchday 13 saw Jane Campbell return to the net and reclaim her captaincy after a five-match stretch that saw her dropped in favor of Abby Smith. However, it did not spur a positive result, as the Dash failed to protect a lead against North Carolina and came away with zero points following another late collapse. Similarly, in early June, the Dash were seconds away from securing an impressive point away at Orlando before capitulating in 90’+9. Houston now dubiously lead the NWSL with most points dropped from a winning position, with 8. 

Though avoiding another last place finish would technically be an improvement from 2024, more was expected from Houston.

13.) Has Chicago already hit its ceiling?

Despite losing taliswoman Mallory Swanson to maternity leave, few could have foreseen the depth of Chicago’s despair in 2025. Chicago’s 6-0 mauling at the hands of the Orlando Pride in the season opener appears to have been a harbinger for the poor season ahead. The 2024 playoff side have been seemingly locked in 13th place thus far this season, with just a single victory and three draws through the halfway point. 

The dismissal of head coach Lorne Donaldson after an abysmal 1-6-1 start was met with mixed reaction, as some observers believed Donaldson was the scapegoat for an insufficient squad. Since the promotion of former assistant coach Masaki Hemmi to an interim role, the Stars have shown scant signs of life. Despite some positive passages of play, the Stars have only picked up six points of a possible 33. It appears Chicago is in need of a meaningful roster upgrade in order to avoid a lost season.    

14.) Will Coenraets survive the summer?

The Utah Royals sit bottom of every statistical category — fewest points, fewest goals scored, most goals allowed, and worst XG difference. Its lone win of the season came against fellow cellar dwellers the Chicago Stars back in April. While a brutal injury list has contributed to the Royals’ underperformance, the team’s lack of any forward momentum and management’s stubborn insistence on a particular style of play is concerning. 

Last year Utah endured a similarly turgid start to the season, collecting just four points through the opening 14 matches of its inaugural season. It cost then-head coach Amy Rodriguez her job. Jimmy Coenraets helped right the ship, as Utah went on to snatch 17 points out of a possible 27. The 30 year-old was rewarded with a contract that would make him permanent head coach through 2027. 

However, Utah currently lay claim to even fewer points than it had when Rodriguez earned the sack last season. The climb out of last place after the international break does not get any easier. Utah will face a thankless run-in at the restart, as four of its next five opponents currently occupy playoff positions. Will Utah’s ownership show Coenraets grace, or opt to make a second successive mid-season coaching change? 

Bay FC’s 2-0 win against Angel City was a much-needed victory after two consecutive losses. This win has propelled them only to 10th place, of course, and a 0.6 – 1.2 non-penalty xG split in their rivals’ favor suggested that they had some luck on their side.

Within the first 30 minutes, Bay FC struck twice through a Penelope Hocking goal and a Caroline Conti penalty to put Angel City on the back foot. While there was still plenty of time left in the match, the early goals allowed Bay to drop deeper and focus on hitting Angel City in transition. Both goals stemmed from sharp, decisive midfield moments where Bay regained possession and quickly progressed into the final third.

This time last year, Pickett was starting life with her third club in four seasons. Back in 2021, the Kansas City Current paid $175,000 to select her as the fourth overall pick in the National Women’s Soccer League Draft. She played on both sides of the defense during that campaign before being traded to the North Carolina Courage, where she briefly operated on the forward line in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. Between injury and competition for places, she was unable to get consistent minutes, but did play as an “inverted” fullback at times.

Perhaps that experience drifting into more central areas for North Carolina aided Pickett when Bay signed the 25-year-old as a free agent and threw her into the base of midfield last year. But that certainly wasn’t the initial plan. Lucy Rushton, then-general manager, described Pickett as “a dynamic, explosive outside back” in the press release announcing her arrival.

What changed? A season-ending injury to Alex Loera. After a brief experiment with traditionally more attack-minded players, Pickett came in and filled the defensive midfield void. She started in a narrow 1-0 loss away to eventual Shield and Championship winners Orlando Pride, and kept her place thereafter. Comparing Bay’s basic numbers without Pickett to with her in the starting lineup, their win rate went from 25% to 50%, their goals conceded went from 2.38 down to 1.22 per game, and their points per game more than doubled, from 0.75 to 1.56.

Previously an open team, Bay became far more balanced and snuck into the playoffs. Their new midfield anchor played a vital role in that development. Pickett impressed with her tenacity and ball-winning, doing the dirty work so others could shine. Going into 2025, she was no longer a utility player, but a nailed on starter. And any danger of her falling into the old ‘water carrier’ stereotype dramatically fell by the wayside with her opening weekend scorcher against Utah Royals; a long-range, left-footed strike that bounced back out of the net while Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn was still diving. Attention: Captured.

That goal made headlines, but Pickett has also shown, in more nuanced ways, that she can contribute on both sides of the play. Yes, she remains integral to Bay defensively, but she is becoming an increasingly reliable facilitator in the early stages of their attacking game. She’s the anchor of the midfield, staying central to act as a pivot around which possession is built, and giving herself access to close down on both sides of the field.

In defense, Pickett makes a habit of anticipating play to snaffle up loose balls, mark threats between the lines and shut down counterattacks. She did a fine job of limiting Ally Sentnor’s influence when the United States international played as a Number 10 for Utah in their 1-1 draw with Bay. At times, she also had to close down Mina Tanaka, with Utah’s striker dropping back to try and overload her with Sentnor.

On the ball, Pickett stays in front of Bay’s central defenders, makes herself available for a pass and moves the ball quickly with minimal touches to keep possession flowing. She has a knack for retaining under pressure, and doesn’t sit back and admire her passes, instead getting on the move to receive the return or help out further up with a well-timed support run.

In this first clip of Pickett’s influence in possession, we see her 1) find an angle to receive, control a difficult, bouncing ball, then find a teammate, 2) check her shoulder and move the ball accurately within two touches, and 3) move against the grain of pressure to show up in space behind her opponent, play forward first time, get the return and spread the ball to the other side.

The following sequence shows a couple of examples of Pickett keeping the ball under pressure, using the outside of her boot to turn or pass to a teammate and figure a route out of a tight situation.

While she predominantly keeps things simple, Pickett does search for more ambitious passes every now and then.

In the clip below, she 1) switches the point of attack, finding Caprice Dydasco in space on the opposite flank, then 2) shows excellent vision to pick out Taylor Huff in an advanced position, despite having limited time to think or sort out her footwork.

And this final sequence demonstrates Pickett’s willingness and ability to support the attack, either by driving forward into the space afforded to her, or by timing a support run to arrive and receive a lay off from a teammate.

Talking in an interview for the San Francisco Chronicle last year, Pickett discussed how challenging it was for her to adjust to playing in defensive midfield. “It was all mental overload,” she said. “I was like ‘Where should I be? Where do I make the next pass?’ I wrote down so much in my notebook and just watched training clips to try to get it right.”

In under one full season’s worth of experience, she has the appearance of a natural in the role. For all the attacking quality in this Bay side, right now it’s hard to imagine them being successful without Pickett protecting the center-backs, connecting passes, and enabling the attackers to roam with greater freedom.

“Right now it’s an open review,” Montoya said during media availability early Thursday. “Out of respect, I’m not gonna talk about it.”

Montoya gave almost the exact answer in a scrum with local media earlier in the week.

In response to the investigation, which is being conducted by an independent third party, Bay CEO Brady Stewart said the issue were the result of communications challenges. Asked about his communication process with the players during preseason, Montoya said: “We’re always touching on how we can get better.”

From there his answer veered immediately into soccer and ways the team can be better prepared in its second season on the field.

Caprice Dydasco, one of the first players acquired by Bay, said nothing has changed within the locker room.

“Our team has been always so positive, really close,” Dydasco said. “Nothing really changed our team or with our team dynamics. Our full concentration is on this weekend and focusing on our season opener against Utah.”

Montoya has been allowed to continue coaching while the investigation takes place. This contrasts with prior investigations into Amanda Cromwell and James Clarkson. Neither Cromwell nor Clarkson ever coached their teams again.

An NWSL spokesperson referenced NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman’s press availability last week as having addressed the Bay FC investigation. She did not mention the inconsistency of Montoya being allowed to continue coaching.

Bay FC opens the regular season Saturday in Utah. After a slow start to their expansion and debut season, they climbed into the top half of the league and made the playoffs, nearly upsetting the Spirit before losing late.

“Like every expansion  team, there’s going to be 30 girls that came from all different backgrounds, different teams, different coaching staffs. It’s going to take time to get to know each other,” Dydasco said about the evolution of team culture of the last year. “Like you saw throughout (last) season, we kept meshing and gelling, even getting closer together. Our team on and off the field was getting so close. We have our same core group of girls coming back this season. So we’re only going to be better and stronger this season. We have big goals, and I can’t wait for us to get on the field this weekend.”

Though National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman had a great deal to discuss on Friday’s state-of-the-league conference call with reporters on Friday, there was one subject that had become quite urgent.

Last week, the San Francisco Chronicle published an investigation into Bay FC, with two players alleging a “toxic” environment under coach Albertin Montoya. That same day, National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman said that an independent investigation has been opened into the team’s coaching staff.