NWSL Team of the Week: Christen Press turns back the clock for Angel City; Debinha building her case for MVP

The regular NWSL season from 2025 is settled while the competition places the quarter behind them, and that means that the attack of the Team of the Week is on the attack. After weekly luminaires during the NWSL campaign of 2025, attacking third analysts select a best XI and a coach based on striking versions at the weekend.

With eight weeks over, some players have their way back to our team of the week, while others have cracked our list for the first time this season. If you keep track of, you can keep an eye on us Week seven team of the week.

Make sure you do not miss a game promotion, fans can select NWSL Regular seasonal competitions on CBS platforms, including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+and CBS Sports Golazo Network.

View our best XI:

Goalkeeper: Abby Smith (Houston Dash)

The experienced goalkeeper was thrown into the mix for what was ultimately a rather tactical long game for Houston on the road against Seattle. Smith signed at Houston as a free agent in the low season, and in post-game reactions, head coach Fabrice Gautrat confirmed that he made the healthy switch to start Smith about the old goalkeeper and Dash captain Jane Campbell. The manager has credited Smith’s efforts in training and as the group goes beyond the quarter of the season, they continue to evaluate week to week.

The keeper came late in the game with a huge rescue to support Houston’s lead in her first start of the regular season, and her first since August 2023. She and the Dash kept Seattle scoreless.

Defender: Perle Morroni (San Diego Wave FC)

The international in France covered a lot of land against the thorns of Portland, often higher on the field and was heavily involved in playing. The outdoor ridge was crucial in generating attacking sequences, connected to midfielders Savannah McCaskill and Kenza Dali, and delivered the assist to the only goal of San Diego.

Defender: Sam Staab (Chicago Stars FC)

Chicago continues to have difficulty generating results, but that is not due to a lack of efforts from Staab. The experienced defender has been an important part in Chicago that keep games respectable this season, and in week eight she showed off her attacking skills. She led the team in total touches (71) and came on the score sheet with a goal against her former club.

“Back from an injury, she not only has a long throw and a pounding left foot, she can also put them away,” said Darian Jenkins in third place.

“She started the structure, she was in midfield, she played a ball forward, and then you just look at her long pass in the field, and she keeps going … There is a long cross, and finally at the right time in the right place and put it away for Chicago. So I wanted to give her credit, we don’t have many Chicago players on our list and she deserves it.”

Defender: Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit)

There is a theme for defenders on the best XI this week; They all had an impact on the game attacking. The former attacker is no stranger to binding play, and it was completely visible on the road against Chicago.

Defender: Hailie Mace (Current Current) from Kansas)

Stop me if you have heard this, but an outdoor back that was essential for the attack of a team? That was exactly Hailie Mace for Kansas City in week eight. The fullback offered not one but two assists for the current one, and although the coaching staff has options on the backline, Mace makes it difficult to run her out of the line -up with her consistent coverage and combination game.

Midfielder: Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville FC)

Louisville has finally started clicking, and a large part of their success is Taylor Flint in the middle third part. The central midfielder scored a stunning goal for the game winner and lonely count of the competition, led the team in air challenges (9).

Midfielder: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)

Another appearance for the Irish International on our best XI, because it remains a steady presence for the courage of week eight. A huge reliable presence when the group shifted things tactically against a heavy challenge against Orlando Pride. Showed regardless of the assignment, it will perform it.

Midfielder: Deinha (current Kansas City)

The Brazilian international is back on our best XI after a great achievement against Bay FC. She stacks her MVP file week after week, and while teams settle after the quarter of the season, Deinha looks like she has just been strengthened. Whether it scores in the Run of Play, or against it from a dead ball situation, she has been clinical until week eight.

Forward: Rosemonde Kouassi (Washington Spirit)

While the Spirit jugs on their selection, there are many players who find their way back, and perhaps no more important than the Ivorian international. An acquisition in the mid -season last season, she has worked her way back in shape and had an outbreak performance against Chicago with a goal, an assist and a perfect amount of chaos to force your own goal.

Forward: Love (Kansas City Current)

Finally back on the scoreboard and our best XI after a four-game goalless streak, Chawinga stomped the dominant victory of the current against Bay FC. The coaching staff has been cautious because the Star Striker has managed a nagging hip injury, but the ruling Golden Boot winner did not show any signs of delay in week eight.

Forward: Christian Press (Angel City FC)

While the coaching staff of Angel City has tried to develop their young stars and produce exciting games, the veteran striker reminded everyone why it is important to have a balance in the selection and in highly charged games. She was immersed in the second half, ready to play the most minutes she has the entire season, and only needed 20 seconds to change the course of the game. The young team also relied on her presence when she was the emotions of one Medical emergency with Savy King.

Coach: Bev Yanez (Racing Louisville FC)

Coaching by not one, but two lighting delays? We had to honor Coach of the Week to Racing Louisville FC coach Bev Yanez. She kept her team focused and grounded, on the road in Houston, and due to a delay that tapped in the direction of a two -hour marking. The victory means two consecutive results for a side that struggled through the first quarter of the regular season.