NWSL 2026 comprehensive preview: Forecasts for each of the 16 teams
Can you believe the NWSL returns this weekend? It seems like we’ve hardly had a moment to breathe!
The hectic offseason saw Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit compelling the NWSL to amend its regulations to prevent the star from moving abroad. Expansion teams Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy FC prepared for their inaugural seasons.
The Summit have already declared their intention to set a new attendance record in the NWSL this season and have signed U.S. women’s national team captain Lindsey Heaps, while the Legacy have worked to mitigate the setbacks from their initial launch.
We will cover all of this and more—rest assured. Megan Swanick, Joseph Lowery, and Cesar Hernandez will guide you through our annual comprehensive team preview. Each has forecasted the end-of-season standings from first to last, averaging their predictions to create a final collective forecast. Below, we present the league’s 16 teams in the order of their predictions.
Here’s how they envision the season unfolding, along with a summary of what has changed for each team since Gotham FC claimed the championship trophy in November.
• Watch Gotham vs. Boston: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, live on ABC
• Stream NWSL matches live on ESPN+ all season (U.S.)
• NWSL ambition rankings: Which teams are leading the charge?
1. Kansas City Current
Last season’s finish: First place (21W, 3L, 2D), 65 points
Biggest offseason moves: The record-setting 2025 NWSL Shield winners have appointed a new coach. After two successful years as head coach and sporting director, former USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski is now concentrating on his role as global sporting director. The Current have named former USMNT player Chris Armas as his successor.
Armas brings a wealth of managerial experience, though this will be his first role in professional women’s soccer. This is significant news, but the Current made even bigger moves in the midfield: 20-year-old defensive midfielder Claire Hutton has joined Bay FC. Additionally, 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year, Croix Bethune, is relocating to the Midwest after a couple of successful seasons in Washington.
Alongside Hutton, KCC’s other notable departures include Bia Zaneratto, Nichelle Prince, and Hailie Mace.
Why they will finish first this season: The Current will feel the absence of players like Zaneratto and Hutton. Yes, Chris Armas is new to the NWSL—and to women’s professional soccer—and lingering injury concerns could affect their attacking lineup.
However, the league’s most consistently dominant team has retained enough of its core to sustain its success. Bethune’s creativity as an attacking midfielder could elevate the league’s most potent offense to a new level of threat.
Biggest question heading into the season: Will all their players be fit and ready to compete?
Temwa Chawinga, the team and league’s leading scorer, ended last season with an injury. Is she prepared to return? Bethune and Michelle Cooper were both omitted from the USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster due to fitness concerns following injuries. When will they be fully fit? The overall health of key players—especially Chawinga—is the primary question as the 2026 season approaches. — Swanick
2. Washington Spirit
Last season’s finish: Second place (12W, 6L, 8D), 44 points
Biggest offseason moves: Haven’t you heard? Trinity Rodman is back. After a lengthy contract negotiation, Rodman has become the highest-paid player in NWSL history.
Of course, Rodman’s return wasn’t the only major news for Washington this winter. With former Orlando Pride architect Haley Carter now serving as the Spirit’s president of soccer operations, the Spirit invested nearly seven figures to sign 18-year-old Paraguayan forward Claudia Martínez and traded attacking midfielder Croix Bethune to the Kansas City Current in exchange for cash. Washington fans certainly have plenty to discuss!
play2:53Can Trinity Rodman overcome her previous injury problems in 2026?
The “Futbol Women’s” crew debate what needs to change in 2026 for Trinity Rodman.
Why they will finish second this season: Because this team is brimming with talent.
With Rodman back and likely healthier than last year, it’s easy to believe that the Washington Spirit will have a very high ceiling in 2026. Even with Bethune’s departure, there is no shortage of quality surrounding the U.S. star in the attack, including Gift Monday, Rosemonde Kouassi, Leicy Santos, Martínez, and others.
Adding to this is a strong core featuring Hal Hershfelt, Tara Rudd, and a group expected to return from maternity leave, making this team formidable in every aspect of play.
Biggest question heading into the season: How will Aubrey Kingsbury’s absence in goal affect the team?
With Kingsbury expecting a baby in July, the Spirit will be without their long-time starter in goal. The performance of Sandy MacIver, a former No. 1 for Everton in the WSL who served as Kingsbury’s backup last year, as Washington’s new primary goalkeeper is a key storyline to monitor in 2026. — Lowery
3. Portland Thorns FC
Last season’s finish: Third place (11W, 8L, 7D), 40 points
Biggest offseason moves: Last week, Portland announced the hiring of Robert Vilahamn as their new head coach. Previously with Women’s Super League side Tottenham Hotspur, Vilahamn led the English club to their first-ever Women’s FA Cup final in 2024.
Additionally, although technically not an offseason move, the return of forward Sophia Wilson from maternity leave is noteworthy. The Olympic gold medalist and USWNT star returned to the field for Portland in a friendly on March 6.
Why they will finish third this season: The 20-year-old U.S. international Olivia Moultrie has yet to realize her full potential, and while Wilson could take time to regain full match fitness, she is now back with the squad. There are also several promising young players who should help maintain the club’s playoff position.
We should take any friendlies with caution—notably one at home against a non-NWSL opponent—but they did also convincingly defeat Liga MX Femenil giants Monterrey 5-1 in Wilson’s return.
Biggest question heading into the season: Can Vilahamn achieve success from the outset?
Unlike a full preseason or even a fortnight to prepare, the Swedish coach, who has never managed in the NWSL, will have a very limited timeframe to get ready for the season. We also cannot overlook the fact that Vilahamn was dismissed by Tottenham last June after narrowly avoiding relegation.
Vilahamn will also need to cope with the absence of reliable midfielder Sam Coffey, who departed for Manchester City in the offseason. Will Portland start strong or struggle as they enter 2026? — Hernandez
4. Gotham FC
Last season’s finish: Eighth place (9W, 8L, 9D), 36 points
Biggest offseason moves: The reigning champions peaked at the right moment late last season, with players like Rose Lavelle healthy and Jaedyn Shaw integrating seamlessly into the team.
While retaining most of their trophy-winning roster, Gotham has made a few adjustments in the offseason: Brazilian midfielder Gabi Portilho (who contributed six goals in 17 games last season) signed with San Diego. In return, they acquired veteran NWSL midfielder/forward Savannah McCaskill from San Diego.
Why they will finish fourth this season: Gotham took time to find their rhythm in 2025. Injuries limited key players’ playing time, and crucial additions like Shaw had yet to arrive.
This season, center back Tierna Davidson is back and ready to compete. Lavelle is healthy and matching her career records for chances created at the SheBelieves Cup. With a largely healthy squad prepared to go, Gotham can achieve the consistency of results they demonstrated in 2024 and secure a top-four finish.
Biggest question heading into the season: Will the team remain fit, and can Esther sustain her form? Players like Davidson and Lavelle are healthy to start the season but have faced multiple injuries over the years. Their availability will significantly impact the season.
In terms of scoring, Spanish striker Esther is a game changer. However, she ended 2026 in a scoring drought, netting just one goal in their last eight matches, including the playoffs. With nine goals in 21 games last season, consistent performance from Esther could elevate Gotham further up the standings. — Swanick
5. Orlando Pride
Last season’s finish: Fourth place (11W, 8L, 7D), 40 points
Biggest offseason moves: In Emily Sams, Carson Pickett, and Ally Brazier, three of Orlando’s 11 most utilized players from last season have left the club. Sams, who logged over 2,000 minutes at center back in 2025, leaves the most significant gap.
Nonetheless, with emerging talents like central defender Zara Chavoshi and veterans such as new outside back signing Hailie Mace, the Pride still possess considerable talent despite the departure of three key players.
Why they will finish fifth this season: Coach Seb Hines has an impressively strong squad at his disposal, doesn’t he?
We barely got a glimpse of what record-breaking signing Lizbeth Ovalle could bring to Orlando after she joined last August, and there’s reason to believe the Mexican international attacker will shine following a full preseason.
There are concerns about how a revamped backline will mesh, but the presence of a solid midfield led by Haley McCutcheon and Angelina alleviates some of those worries. There is ample talent in Orlando, and that’s before considering the standout…
Biggest question heading into the season: Will Barbra Banda return to her best form?
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the entire outcome of the NWSL’s 2025 season could have been drastically different had Banda not suffered an abductor injury in August. A nearly unstoppable force when healthy, the 25-year-old striker is among the league’s best and most influential players.
If Banda is fully fit and ready to lead Orlando’s formation, the Pride will be in contention for every trophy this season. She is just that impactful. — Lowery
6. San Diego Wave FC
Last season’s finish: Sixth place (10W, 9L, 7D), 37 points
Biggest offseason moves: San Diego acquired Brazilian international Ludmila in January from the Chicago Stars for $800,000 in transfer fees. After scoring 10 goals in her previous NWSL season, the Wave are hopeful for a similar output in 2026.
Regarding departures, eyebrows were raised when the club mutually agreed to part ways with key players such as Delphine Cascarino and Kailen Sheridan.
Why they will finish sixth this season: Kenza Dali (an NWSL Best XI second team selection from 2025) remains in the midfield picture, there is significant potential from the roster’s young players (watch for Kimmi Ascanio and Melanie Barcenas), and Ludmila should help address some of the notable attacking issues faced last season.
Chelsea’s Catarina Macario is also reportedly nearing a move to San Diego this summer.
Biggest question heading into the season: How much will San Diego miss Sheridan?
As not only a shot-stopper who regularly showcased her skills with impressive saves but also a vocal leader, San Diego is now without one of the most significant figures in their brief history. Backup DiDi Haracic is now set to be the starter but had fairly average performances during her limited minutes in 2025.
If Haracic doesn’t perform well, coach Jonas Eidevall may need to consider one of the goalkeeping alternatives who have no NWSL experience… — Hernandez
7. North Carolina Courage
Last season’s finish: Ninth place (9W, 9L, 8D), 35 points
Biggest offseason moves: North Carolina’s most significant change is the departure of long-time veteran midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, who spent nine seasons with the club.
In contrast, the addition of Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan could provide a substantial boost, offering a strong veteran presence in a transitioning squad. Swedish striker Evelyn Ijeh, who finished third in Serie A’s 2024-25 golden boot race, is another exciting addition from AC Milan. Notably, the Courage also have a new coach in Lebanese manager Mak Lind, who is reportedly “obsessed with scoring goals.”
Why they will finish seventh this season: With a new coach and veteran departures, there are considerable uncertainties for the Courage. However, they have retained a significant portion of their roster. After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2025 (they trailed eighth-place Gotham by just one point), they have made adjustments that could help secure a top-eight finish.
Biggest question heading into the season: Can they create more opportunities in the final third? With 39 goals in 2025, the Courage were relatively efficient with the chances they had, but they did not generate as many opportunities as in previous seasons. A new striker could provide a boost, Sheridan’s style of play from the back, a midfield shakeup, and a coach focused on scoring should yield positive results in the final third. — Swanick
8. Racing Louisville FC
Last season’s finish: Seventh place (10W, 9L, 7D), 37 points
Biggest offseason moves: Louisville made history with their first playoff appearance in 2025 but had a quiet offseason as they prepare to build on that success. Louisville signed former SEC Midfielder of the Year and First-Team All-American Macey Hodge from Angel City, bringing her to Kentucky for her second NWSL season.
Louisville also signed former Seattle backup goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska, who is also set to spend her second NWSL season in Kentucky. In the other direction, Ary Borges left for Angel City, and Janine Sonis signed with Denver Summit.
Why they will finish eighth this season: After several years of narrowly missing the playoffs, Racing earned a well-deserved playoff spot in 2025 and provided a tough challenge to Washington Spirit in the postseason. With their squad intact and the coach returning, their chemistry and confidence seem poised to deliver another postseason-worthy season.
Biggest question heading into the season: Will Racing improve defensively? Louisville is difficult to play against and knows how to grind out results. However, Racing conceded more goals than any other playoff team in 2025. Only three teams across the league allowed more shots on target. Even a slight improvement in those statistics could significantly impact their season. — Swanick
9. Seattle Reign FC
Last season’s finish: Fifth place (10W, 7L, 9D), 39 points
Biggest offseason moves:
