NWSL Team of the Week: Chicago Stars FC’s Ludmila continues hot streak of goals to lead the line

The NWSL -Regular season 2025 is still a gear with only eight competition days left, and striking individual versions in the competition means that the last piece will be an exciting finish. Week 18 -matches have given us more examples of competition parity, and the stream of Kansas City has already dressed a play -off place, which means that the puzzle starts to come into view after the season.

After weekly competitions in the NWSL campaign of 2025, attacking third analysts select a best XI, head coach and honorary captain based on designs at the weekend. If you keep track of who has been on our earlier line -ups, make sure you look back Our best XI of week 17.

Everything can happen at the point of the regular season, and while Kansas City is haunting the NWSL shield, various teams continue to hunt for the play -offs. There are definitive game changers that are worthy of our NWSL team of the week.

Week 19 will be here before you know it, and fans can watch NWSL regular season matches on CBS platforms, including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+and CBS Sports Golazo Network.

View our best XI:

Goalkeeper: Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)

It has been a year of highlights and lows for Mandy McGlynn, with the struggles in the early season of Utah in combination with the national team of American women. Everything was just right for McMlynn and the big victory of the royals on the thorns, thanks to McGlynn’s 11-save game.

Defender: Bruninha (Gotham FC)

It is no secret that Gotham has had to become creative in managing injuries on the backline. Bruninha stepped up for the team in a large way and led the team in interceptions (two) and duels (12). She is not afraid to get higher on the field and give Gotham more offensive width, and they need that in their play -off push.

Defender: Hailie Mace (Current Current) from Kansas)

The current shame of wealth on the backline, and it was more difficult to call only one defender of Kansas City on the list. Hailie Mace achieves the honor this week, together with another teammate, but it is Mace’s Center Back tasks that have earned its place, which shows that she can operate along the entire backline and the team led in approvals (five).

Defender: Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit)

Talking about a bowel control, Spirit Center Back Tara Mckeown took a few during the 1-1 draw of the club against Chicago. This season she has been a constant for Washington, whether it has been in self -assured victories or grouse draws. McKeown brings the bite to the back line.

Defender: Izzy Rodriguez (Current Current)

Make those two Kansas City defenders in the team of the week, thanks to Izzy Rodriguez. Led defenders in the team in antennas and duels and delivered the opening goal for the current one. Just an informal day at the office for the outside back.

Midfielder: Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC)

Gotham is starting to get some players back in shape at the right time of the season, and Rose Lavelle becomes a huge boost for the group in the play. Creativity and playmakers will lead to more offense and she has delivered an assist in week 18.

Midfielder: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville)

Taylor Flint is back on our list after just a week ago. Not Rocket Science to get the set piece in the highest player in the box, but it is still necessary to finish it, and Flint did exactly that for racing against the Houston Dash.

Midfielder: Lo’eau Labonta (Stroom from Kansas City)

Call her the penalty specialist or the celly queen, the fact is that she is both. Lo’eau Labonta is back in the team of the week after scoring her fourth goal of the season and the 13th penalty conversion of her career.

Forward: Esther Gonzalez (Gotham FC)

Just when you think the Golden Boot has racing racing, Esther Gonzalez reminds everyone that it is not over until it is over. She scored her 12th goal of the season and the count first places her in the Temwa Chawinga of Kansas City.

Forward: KK Ream (Utah Royals)

Utah has been a tough opponent for others more advanced in the playoff race, but when the royals find out how to score, watch out. The team took their first victory since April, and it is all due to KK Ream. Her game winner made her the youngest NWSL target maker at the age of 16 and 53 days.

Forward: Ludmila (Chicago Stars FC)

I’m not sure if there was a more exciting attacker than Ludmila in August. The Chicago Stars FC Forward scored her fifth goal in three games and extended the undefeated line of the stars to five games.

Coach: Vlatko Andonovski (current Kansas City)

You and your team who have held a play -off place before the calendar turns to September? Those are the things that Elite Teams have been made of, and Kansas City has been the best team in the competition for a reason. They are still in the lead for the NWSL-School with a 14-point gap between them and the second best team, Washington Spirit. The pressure is now to win titles.

Honorary Captain: NWSLPA and BWPC

In honor of Labor Day we found it appropriate to give honorary captain to two organizations that apply the work to ensure that players are seen, heard and protected. The NWSL Players Association and the Black Women’s Player Collective have done the work and continue to do that is necessary to support players in the competition.