NWSL Team of the Week: USWNT talent, international stars show up big time after international break

The regular season of 2025 NWSL returned after a short break for the international window and the week 11 campaign was worth waiting. There were nail biting late game winners, milestones for careers and playoff opportunities that everyone reminds why they are elite. In between, there were striking versions, and that means that the team of the Week team is back

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. As it approaches the halfway point of the season, it should not be surprising that players from certain top clubs make some repeated appearances, because for a reason they are leaders in the upper half of the table.

That does not mean that there are no players from lower table teams. Angel City is represented after an exciting 2-2 draw against Chicago Stars FC. There are also numerous debut in our team of the week, including the coach, so if you keep an eye on who has cracked our earlier line -ups, make sure Reference the week 10 best XI.

There is plenty to look forward to in week 12, and fans can watch selected NWSL -Regular seasonal competitions on CBS platforms, including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+and CBS Sports Golazo Network.

View our best XI:

Goalkeeper: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC)

The goalkeeper leads American keepers in the competition up to and including 10 games in SAVE percentage (74.4%), goals against (10), Crosses Face (198) and Crosses claimed (12). As USWNT head coach Emma Hayes says: “The data don’t lie”, and Dickey devised a huge salvation against a difficult side of San Diego.

Defender: Rebeca Bernal (Washington Spirit)

The Mexican international has done it all for the Washington Spirit and does this about lines. If necessary, Rebeca Bernal filled in as a defensive midfielder or central back for the mind, and this week Bernal hit the brakes on attackers from the back line. Wherever she is, she fills in with all the energy, according to Spirit teammate Esme Morgan.

“She is such a strong defender. She likes going and winning air balls of long target kicks, you see a bit of the ball in the air and you know that Rebe will come flying to win it,” ” Morgan told the attacking third after the game. “She likes to throw herself for the ball for blocks and make strong tackles. I feel she is a very safe presence there.”

Defender: Ellie Jean (Racing Louisville FC)

Racing Louisville is one step closer to achieve their goal of a play -off place, but they will have to stay consistent, and they can do it with experienced players such as Ellie Jean in the Line -up. The experienced centerback came great when she helped to conclude attacks and achieved an attack with a goal.

Defender: Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit)

Mark it as a third consecutive appearance for Casey Kroegerer in our team of the week. Whether the veteran defender is the opponent of the opposite transition game, the scoring of goals or the delivery of dimes, she cannot be denied the praise she has earned so far.

Defender: Ma Vignola (Angel City FC)

Ma Vignola, a force to take into account the backline of Angel City, defends intelligence and attacks with vision. It was completely visible in week 11 when she housed the possession and scored the equalizer for the home team.

Midfielder: Narumi Miura (Washington Spirit)

Narumi Miura will be back in our best XI within a few weeks, and it is with a goal. The Japanese international led midfield in total touches (59), led the team in opportunities (three) and noted an assist on the goal of Gift Monday. The Spirit has had to rotate in the middle third part, because they balance many injuries in the Roster, but she has been the constant.

Midfielder: Sally Menti (Seattle Reign FC)

Scored her first NWSL goal in an impactful way and earned her way in our team of the week. Sally Menti was a brilliant addition to midfield on the road against a tough opponent. Second in the team in recovery (seven), it was what she did with the ball after she received it.

Midfielder: Vanessa Diabernardo (Current City Kansas City)

Of course, people will be fixed on their own goal in the 101st minute of the game, but actively ignoring Vanessa Diabernardo’s efforts for the first 100 minutes of the game is quite representative of the lack of individual recognition during her career. Not this week and not by us, she is on our best XI after she has put a lot of hard work on and out of the ball that does not appear on the score sheet, while she will be the fifth player in the history of NWSL to reach 200 performances in the regular season.

Forward: Gift Monday (Washington Spirit)

The Nigerian international scored her fourth goal of the season during a competition that felt quite end-to-end during some pieces. Gift Monday has been a big bright spot for the Spirit while rotating players to manage their carousel of injuries. Her movement in the box was just as impressive as her efforts to kill the ball on a dive head to the goal.

Forward: Love (Kansas City Current)

The ruling NWSL Golden Boot winner is back in the mix of this year’s race. The game winner of Temwa Chawinga only came in a rainy game against Gotham FC for 11 minutes. Chawinga is a complete master in timing and movement, and if she is just something for her line of defenders, it is already too late.

Forward: Michelle Cooper (Current of Kansas City)

Fresh from another US National Team Camp, Michelle Cooper is back and as dangerous as always. The Kansas City press is effective and clinical, and the young attacker showed no fear of getting the opening goal in the game for only three minutes.

Coach: Laura Harvey (Seattle Reign FC)

The winner came out in a tactical master class against San Diego and became the first coach in the history of NWSL who reached the milestone of 250 games at the helm. She is the only coach in the competition history that surpasses 200, and we will be looking for more.

Captain: Savy King (Angel City FC)

Defender Savy King was back in BMO Stadium Successful emergency aid surgery. Her presence during the game was a simple memory that some things are larger than football, and the competition is a better, stronger place with her in it.