The 2025 NWSL regular-season is now over after an exciting Decision Day. The playoff bracket has been set and teams are now ready to take on the postseason with new energy. After a week of intense competition, the team of the Week for Attacking Third is finally revealed. Attacking Third analysts evaluate performances from the past weekend to select the team of the Week, honorary Captain, and head coach for the 2025 NWSL. You can check out the past team selections for week 25. NWSL playoffs begin Friday with Orlando Pride taking on Seattle Reign. On Sunday, the quarterfinals will be decided as Kansas City defeats Orlando Pride. City Hosts eighth-place Gotham FC and No. Portland Thorns FC will play No. Racing Louisville secured its first ever postseason berth with a nail biting 1-0 win over Bay FC. The final score lifted them into seventh place. They’ll now face No. Washington Spirit (Nov. 8 at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS) is the second-seeded team. ET on CBS).
CBS is the home of the NWSL Championship, and teams will compete for a spot in the final on Nov. 22. Fans can watch select NWSL playoff matches across CBS platforms, including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.Take a look at our best XI:
Mandy McGlynn is the goalkeeper for the Utah Royals. In a year of highs and lowers, McGlynn’s calm and consistency has helped the team this season. It took the team some time to gel, but in the second part of the season they were virtually unstoppable. They even managed a clean sheet over the No. The No. 2 ranking will give this team more momentum to build upon next year. Defender: Carson Pickett(Orlando Pride). As the Orlando Pride start their title defense, 2024 NWSL Champions need all hands to make an impressive playoff run. Carson Pickett, a veteran fullback who has been a key x-factor in the squad’s success off the bench scored a crucial goal to ensure the team stayed at home during the quarterfinals.
Arin Wright, Racing Louisville Defender Arin has shown leadership and experience and helped the team maintain a clean score in front of Jordan Bloomer. She led her team in clearances (5), and shots (4).
“We came out at the start of the season and we found our identity. We knew what we were. We were sold on it. Every team will have a slump at some point in the season. We also had a slump. Wright, after Louisville’s victory in the playoffs: “We were constantly being scored on. In the 90th minute, it was defeating. Wright told Attacking Third that it was a testament to the players and this group to have been able to endure that stretch of games, and then to finish with the identity we had at the beginning of the year.
Defender: Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC).The 19-yearold center-back has made a significant step forward in her development this season as a vital piece of Seattle’s legendary five-back. She’s been the recipient of some big goals from a distance this season. And decision day was no difference.
Janine sonis (Racing Louisville FC). A former forward was called upon to help Racing Louisville make an important adjustment at the backline. Janine’s ability to direct the attack at a lower level has paid off and Racing games have flowed through Janine. Manaka Matsukubo, North Carolina Courage: The North Carolina Courage just missed the 2025 NWSL Postseason but finished with plenty of positives. Manaka Matsukubo scored seven of her eleven regular-season goals during the second half, including this goalkeeper chip from a distance.
Jessie Fleming, Portland Thorns FC. A massive performance from Canadian Jessie Fleming on Decision Day for Portland Thorns with a goal as well as an assist. She’ll be needed for her playmaking abilities as the playoffs begin, especially if they’re scoring like this:
Claudia Zornoza is the midfielder for the Utah Royals. The end of regular season was filled with excitement, but also many farewells. Claudia Zornoza has retired after a career spanning 17 years. She was the leader of her team for recoveries (5), and chances created (3).
Forward: Debinha (Kansas City The 2025 NWSL Shield winners were without Temwa Chaminga on the decision day, and Bia Zaneratto in the first regular-season match. Debinha was on the Current’s roster, so it did not matter. The Brazilian international scored an impressive free kick which froze all in the box.
Forward: Jordan Huitema, Seattle Reign FCIt is no secret that Wave has been struggling to score goals. But that will change now that Delphine Cascarino returns. She is back on the roster after a long injury to her knee. Cascarino has been instrumental in setting up other teammates for important goals.McCall Zerboni of Attacking Third said, “Jordan Huitema is my favorite, and she completely changed the game for Seattle when she entered.”Her aerial presence and her hold up game, and by-the-way, she had one moment where she ran off the ball. I was like girl, when did you become fast?” She is quite fast, so I would like to see her stretch the line more. She is always looking back for a hold-up, but she also shows that she can run in behind. I think if they did that more tonight they would have more chances against Orlando. But anyway, she was an outstanding, did great.”
Forward: Ella Hase (Racing Louisville)First-year players stepping up in big-time moments and making even bigger plays are just part of Racing Louisville’s story this season. Ella Hase’s game-winning goal helped the club make playoff history on decision day.
Bev Yanez, Racing Louisville FC’s Head CoachIt is no secret that Racing Louisville has stepped into the spotlight of everyone’s favorite underdog team in the playoffs. And Bev Yanez is an integral part of this journey. Yanez has made history as the first NWSL player who is now a head-coach and appears in NWSL playoffs. Honorary Captain: Decision DayYou can’t appreciate what you have until its gone. Decision day returned to the schedule in 2025 after a year’s absence. It was a great event with many memorable moments. Even though there was only one spot available in the playoffs, the table ranking still mattered, and the players used the chance to show off their skills. We look forward to many more fun moments in the future.
2025-11-03 20:35:25
