NWSL 2026 Season: Rodman’s Record Deal and Kansas City’s 21-Win Pace

The NWSL 2026 season begins as Trinity Rodman becomes the league's highest-paid player and Kansas City defends a 65-point Shield-winning campaign.

The Kansas City Current begin their title defense this weekend following a record-setting 2025 campaign where they secured the NWSL Shield with 21 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws. After accumulating 65 points last year, the club enters the new term with Chris Armas replacing Vlatko Andonovski as head coach. While Kansas City dominated the standings, the Washington Spirit made waves by signing Trinity Rodman to the most lucrative contract in league history. This offseason maneuver followed a 2025 finish where the Spirit took second place with 44 points on a 12-6-8 record.

Washington’s roster overhaul included a nearly seven-figure fee to acquire 18-year-old forward Claudia Martínez from Paraguay. To facilitate new arrivals, the Spirit traded 2024 Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune to Kansas City in exchange for cash. Bethune joins an attack that led the league in scoring but faces fitness concerns regarding Temwa Chawinga, who ended last year with an injury. The Current also saw the departure of 20-year-old defensive midfielder Claire Hutton, who moved to Bay FC for a reported $1.1 million fee.

Tactical Shifts and Coaching Debuts

Portland Thorns FC enters the 2026 schedule under new leadership after hiring Robert Vilahamn from Tottenham Hotspur. Vilahamn, who reached the 2024 Women's FA Cup final, takes over a squad that finished third last year with 40 points (11-8-7). The Thorns recently defeated Monterrey 5-1 in a March 6 friendly, a match that featured the return of Sophia Wilson from maternity leave. Despite this victory, Portland must navigate the loss of midfielder Sam Coffey to Manchester City.

Gotham FC looks to defend their championship title after finishing eighth in the 2025 regular season with 36 points (9-8-9). The club added Savannah McCaskill from San Diego but lost Gabi Portilho to the Wave. Portilho recorded six goal contributions in 17 appearances last season. Gotham’s success hinges on the health of Rose Lavelle and Tierna Davidson, alongside striker Esther, who scored nine goals in 21 matches last year but managed only one goal in her final eight appearances.

Expansion and Roster Rebuilds

Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy FC are set for their league debuts this weekend. The Summit have already signed U.S. women's national team captain Lindsey Heaps and announced they will break the attendance record this year. Meanwhile, the Orlando Pride aim to improve on their fourth-place finish (40 points) despite losing Emily Sams, Carson Pickett, and Ally Brazier. Sams played over 2,000 minutes at center back in 2025 before being traded for $650,000. Orlando's attack relies on Barbra Banda, the 25-year-old striker who suffered an abductor injury last August, and record-signing Lizbeth Ovalle.

San Diego Wave FC, who finished sixth with 37 points, spent $800,000 to acquire Ludmila from the Chicago Stars. This move follows the club's decision to terminate the contracts of Kailen Sheridan and Delphine Cascarino. Sheridan subsequently signed with the North Carolina Courage, a team now led by manager Mak Lind. The Courage finished ninth last year with 35 points and 39 goals scored, trailing the final playoff spot by a single point.

Midfield Dynamics and Defensive Concerns

Racing Louisville enters the upcoming calendar following their first-ever playoff appearance in 2025, where they finished seventh with 37 points. Despite the milestone, Louisville conceded more goals than any other playoff participant and allowed the fourth-most shots on target in the league. Their offseason additions include Macey Hodge and goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska, while Ary Borges departed for Angel City.

Seattle Reign FC faces a period of transition after the retirement of Lauren Barnes. The Reign finished fifth last year with 39 points (10-7-9) but will start the current campaign without Lynn Biyendolo due to maternity leave. Bay FC, finishing 13th last season with only 20 points, looks to Italian veteran Cristiana Girelli to solve their scoring woes. Girelli, whose loan only runs through August, joins a side that finished last in total goals scored. The league officially resumes Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET with Gotham FC facing Boston Legacy FC on ABC.