NWSL team of the week: Debinha delivers for KC Current, USWNT’s Emily Sonnett stars for NJ/NY Gotham FC

Week two of the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season contained a mashup of last year’s play-off semi-finalists who went against each other. The 2024 top-four squadrons may have given a play-off a glimpse of 2025 or at least, some tone among the top candidates. While other clubs have picked up their first points of the season, some teams appear like dark horses or write their comeback people songs.

Former semi -finalists delivered entertaining versions. Gotham FC dropped their home opener 0-2 to rule NWSL Shield winners and NWSL champions Orlando Pride. In the meantime, the Stroom van Kansas City spoiled the home opener for 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup winners Washington Spirit with a 2-0 shutout on the road. It cannot be a surprise that several pride and current players have cracked our weekly best XI.

During the regular season of 2025, the attacking of Third selects a team of the week, with 11 of the best players of the week at the weekend.

It is early days for the competitive agenda, but fans can watch selected NWSL -Regulitive seasonal competitions on CBS platforms, including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+and CBS Sports Golazo Network.

View our best XI:

Ahead

Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride): She may not have come to the score sheet, but Banda was everywhere on the field against Gotham FC. Even one day when shooting lanes were hidden, Banda’s ruthless presence kept the defense honest during the game.

Love for father (current Kansas City): The repetition of the NWSL Golden Boot is officially on. Chawinga scored a goal in the 3-1 victory of her team against Washington Spirit. Her dynamic movement and clinical finish showed her ability to influence matches late, and her contributions helped to maintain the undefeated start of her team until the season, which strengthened her early form.

Delphine Cascarino (San Diego Wave FC): The international of France had a huge game, delivered an assist and taking defenders. When she didn’t try to make teammates, she often pressed the opposition to win the ball back.

Midfielders

Debinha (current Kansas City): Another all-round performance by the Brazilian international in week two. The team led in opportunities (five), was second in total shots (three) and attempts on Doel (three), and she was a constant factor in attacking structure.

Lo’eau Labonta (current Kansas City): The NWSL veteran got its name on the score sheet and delivered an epic goal celebration when she turned a penalty. Was a huge factor in neutralizing the opposition attacks and led the team in recovery (eight).

Ally Watt (Orlando Pride): There will be some debate about where Watt has the best XI, given that she is such a power in the attack, but Opta has mentioned her as a correct attacking center, so she also gets the recognition here. When she didn’t try to get a shot or lose weight, she tried to win the ball back for Orlando.

Defenders

Kayla Sharples (Current Current of Kansas): Sharples is a stable presence on the backline of the current one since her arrival last year. She looks like the permanent answer next to Alana Cook for the centerback duo of the current one and became second in the team in the approvals (eight) and duels (three).

Emily Sonnett (NJ / NY Gotham FC): Sonnett’s organizational efforts on the backline are indicators that Gotham will be a heavy, organized side to prevent. She connects lines when the group is in possession and the ball wins differently. She led defenders in recovery (four) against Orlando Pride.

Rafaelle (Orlando Pride): Rafalle gets the pride back in consistent minutes because she is a plus on the backline when she is healthy. She became second in the team in the approvals (seven) in just 45 minutes of play.

Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC): The second -year Reign Defender cracked the best XI largely partially because of its offensive efforts. Bugg had a breakthrough goal from almost 40 meters for her first professional goal and became second in the team in approvals (five).

Goalkeeper

Anna Moorehouse (Orlando Pride): The English international is back on the best XI after another clean sheet of week two. She was confronted with 20 crosses and 15 shots and made four saves to start the Shutout streak of Orlando.