Top Players to Watch in the NWSL at PayPal Park 

The National Women’s Soccer League enters its most expansive season to date with the addition of Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy FC in the 2026 NWSL season. Competition has reached an all-time high as 16 clubs prepare for a rigorous 30-match schedule. 

For soccer fans in the Bay Area, PayPal Park will be a premier destination to cheer on many of the world’s top professional women’s soccer players. Here is a break down of the top players to watch in the NWSL, beginning with foundational players at Bay FC. 

Bay FC 

Forward Penelope Hocking: Hocking concluded the 2025 NWSL season as Bay FC’s top scorer, recording a team-high and career-best six regular season goals. She led the club’s offensive efforts with a scoring run that included goals against the Kansas City Current, Angel City FC, Gotham FC and the Houston Dash. Before joining Bay FC, Hocking was selected by the Chicago Red Stars and in her rookie campaign, she appeared in 19 matches and made 15 starts across all competitions.  

Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz: Silkowitz enters the 2026 season following a standout 2025 campaign in which she ranked fifth among all NWSL goalkeepers in saves and recorded four shutouts. Silkowitz earned a league-best 12 nominations for the NWSL Save of the Week and won the award four times. Her performance earned her the first national team call-up of her career in May with the U.S. U-23. Silkowitz later received her first senior call-up for the USWNT’s November international window for friendlies against Italy, followed by a selection to the senior team’s Women’s January 2026 training camp roster. 

Denver Summit FC 

Bay FC vs. Denver Summit FC 
Home Match: March 14 at PayPal Park  

Defender Kaleigh Kurtz: Kurtz joins Denver Summit FC as the league’s premier “Ironwoman” after a historic eight-year tenure with the North Carolina Courage. The veteran center back holds the NWSL record for consecutive starts (107) and is the only player in league history to complete four full seasons without missing a single minute of play. A 2024 NWSL Best XI First Team selection, Kurtz’s defensive credibility is backed by two NWSL Championships, three Shields and two Challenge Cups. 

Defender Carson Pickett: Pickett brings 185 NWSL appearances to the Denver backline. A former Defender of the Year finalist and two-time NWSL Best XI selection (2021, 2022), Pickett has tallied six goals and 16 assists across a career that has spanned the Reign, Pride, Courage and Racing Louisville. Her veteran experience is a major acquisition for the Summit. 

Midfielder Lindsey Heaps: Heaps, the U.S. Women’s National Team captain, will join Denver Summit this summer after her contract with French club Olympique Lyonnais concludes. The 31-year-old has won league titles in both the U.S. and France, a Champions League title, a World Cup and an Olympic gold medal. She is returning to her hometown in Colorado, having signed a contract with the Summit through 2029. Prior to her time on the US team, she spent six years in the NWSL with the Portland Thorns between 2016 and 2022. 

Angel City FC 

Bay FC vs. Angel City FC 
Home Match: March 21 at PayPal Park  

Forward Riley Tiernan: Riley Tiernan was nominated for the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year following a groundbreaking debut season for Angel City. Tiernan quickly became one of the most impactful rookies in the league, earning NWSL Rookie of the Month honors in back-to-back months (May and June). She also earned a selection to the NWSL Best XI of the Month for May 2025.  

Defender Gisele Thompson: Thompson enters 2026 on the heels of a USWNT senior training camp call-up in January. Thompson has made 29 total appearances for Angel City and led the club with four assists during the 2025 season. On May 2, 2025, she made league history by scoring her first professional goal off an assist from her sister, Alyssa Thompson, the first sister-to-sister goal in NWSL history. She already holds four caps with the senior USWNT. 

Washington Spirit 

Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit 
Home Match: April 5 at PayPal Park 

Defender Tara Rudd: Tara Rudd, the 2025 NWSL Defender of the Year, successfully transitioned from forward to one of the league’s most consistent defenders. In 2025, she played over 2,500 minutes and ranked in the top two for interceptions (50) and top four for blocked shots and tackle success. Her move to the backline over the last three seasons culminated in her being named the league’s top defender and earned a call-up to the USWNT for the January 2026 friendlies.  

Forward Gift Monday: The Nigerian striker made headlines in 2025 by scoring the fastest hat-trick in NWSL history when she netted three goals in under 36 minutes against the Houston Dash. She finished her debut season with eight goals in 22 appearances, firing home their decisive winner against Orlando Pride on April 19. She joined the Spirit from Spain’s UD Tenerife on a three-year deal and was instrumental in leading Washington to the 2025 NWSL Final. 

Utah Royals  

Bay FC vs. Utah Royals FC 
Home Match: May 10 at PayPal Park 

Forward Mina Tanaka: Tanaka was the star of Utah’s 2025 season, winning Team MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and the club’s Golden Boot. She is also a legend for the Japanese National Team where she has notched 92 appearances and 40 goals. A move into a deeper role unlocked a new level of play for Tanaka in 2025, where she transitioned from a pure finisher to a playmaker for the Utah attack. Her ability to strike from a distance was never more evident than in a spectacular 34-yard goal against Orlando. 

Forward Paige Monaghan: Originally joining Utah as an expansion draft selection in 2023, Monaghan has transformed into a bona fide goal scorer and team captain. The veteran winger, who previously played for Gotham FC and Racing Louisville, enjoyed a career-best scoring year for the Royals in 2025. Her season was highlighted by a stretch of five consecutive games with a goal contribution, totaling three goals and two assists. 

Boston Legacy FC 

Bay FC vs. Boston Legacy FC 
Home Match: May 15 at PayPal Park 

Midfielder Chloe Ricketts: Ricketts turned pro at 15 and amassed 30 professional appearances for the Washington Spirit before joining  expansion club Boston Legacy prior to its inauguaral season. She was the first player to join the NWSL through the Under-18 Entry Mechanism and quickly emerged as one of the standout young talents in the United States. Ricketts recently made her mark on the international stage with a debut for the U.S. U-20 National Team at the CONCACAF Championships in 2025.  

Forward Amanda Gutierres: The Brazilian international joins Boston after finishing 21st in the 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin global rankings. She was the joint top scorer of the 2025 Copa América Femenina with six goals and named to the Team of the Tournament after leading Brazil to the title. She arrives to the NWSL as a high-profile international signing. 

Chicago Stars FC 

Bay FC vs. Chicago Stars FC 
Home Match: May 24 at PayPal Park 

Forward Jameese Joseph: Despite a mid-season injury, Joseph was one of the Chicago’s most critical attackers in 2025. She recorded four goals and two assists in 21 appearances. Her efforts earned her a senior USWNT call-up in November 2025, where she made her debut in a victory over Italy. Joseph’s ability to stay aggressive despite a medium-term lower leg injury proved her resilience and importance to the club.  

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher: Alyssa Naeher has surpassed 200 starts and 45 shutouts with the club over 10 years. In 2025, she recorded 75 saves and over 2,000 minutes played across 23 starts. She also made history on August 18, 2025, by becoming only the third goalkeeper in NWSL history to score a goal. Naeher is the first goalkeeper to reach 60 wins and 45 shutouts with a single NWSL club. 

North Carolina Courage 

Bay FC vs. North Carolina Courage 
Home Match: July 18 at PayPal Park 

Midfielder Manaka Matsukubo: The 2025 NWSL Midfielder of the Year, Manaka Matsukubo led all league midfielders with 15 goal contributions (11 goals, 4 assists). She was also named to the Best XI First Team, nominated for the NWSL MVP award and finished third in the NWSL Golden Boot race. Matsukubo’s breakout has been historic for the Courage, earning her the 14th First-Team honor and 28^th Best XI honor for the club. 

Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan: The Olympic Gold Medalist signed with the Courage for the 2026 season and brings nine years of NWSL experience from the Wave and Gotham FC. She is a former Goalkeeper of the Year (2022) and three-time Best XI selection. Sheridan also holds 42 career clean sheets and a 72.3% save percentage over 166 regular season appearances. 

Gotham FC 

Bay FC vs. Gotham FC 
Home Match: July 29 at PayPal Park 

Midfielder Rose Lavelle: Lavelle was named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year and scored the decisive goal in the 2025 NWSL Championship to earn MVP honors and lead Gotham to its second title in three years. Over the final nine regular-season matches of 2025, she recorded seven scoring contributions. Lavelle is currently the only player to have scored in two NWSL Championship matches and a FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.  

Defender Lilly Reale: Reale, the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year and U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, played a key part of Gotham’s defense that conceded only 25 goals during the 2025 campaign. She appeared in all 26 regular season matches, tying a club record and led Gotham in interceptions (36) while ranking second in tackles (54). She ranked 12th in the league in crosses and earned a spot on the NWSL Best XI Second Team. 

Seattle Reign FC 

Bay FC vs. Seattle Reign FC 
Home Match: August 1 at PayPal Park  

Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey: Dickey finished the 2025 season as Seattle’s Team MVP and led all NWSL goalkeepers with 88 saves, setting a new club single-season record while maintaining a 1.12 goals-against average in a full-time “ironwoman” campaign. As a first-time finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year, the 25-year-old played every single minute of the 2025 season. Her 88 saves famously surpassed Hope Solo’s 2013 club record of 81. Despite facing 343 shots, the second-most in the NWSL, she allowed only 29 goals. 

Forward Maddie Dahlien: A standout rookie out of the University of North Carolina, Dahlien was one of only four Reign players to appear in all 26 regular-season matches in 2025. The 21-year-old versatile forward made history as the first player in the NWSL to have her first four career regular-season goals all serve as match-winners. Dahlien led Seattle with four assists and 31 shots, joining veteran Jess Fishlock as one of only two Reign players to record at least eight goal contributions in 2025. 

Houston Dash 

Bay FC vs. Houston Dash 
Home Match: August 23 at PayPal Park 

Forward Yazmeen Ryan: Ryan was the Dash’s 2025 scoring leader and Newcomer of the Year winner. She led the team in shots on goal (17) and ranked second in key passes. On the international stage, Ryan recorded an assist for the USWNT in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup and scored goals in back-to-back matches against Ireland and Canada in June 2025. 

Defender Avery Patterson: Patterson was a 2025 NWSL Defender of the Year finalist who led the team in interceptions (43) and tackles attempted (54) in the 2025 season. She also contributed offensively with three goals and two assists while helping the Dash secure four clean sheets. Patterson earned her first cap and start for the USWNT during the 2025 season. 

Kansas City Current 

Bay FC vs. Kansas City Current 
Home Match: September 4 at PayPal Park 

Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta: Since joining the club in 2021, Lo’eau LaBonta has led the team to its first NWSL Shield and earned consistent league-wide recognition, including a 2022 Best XI selection and 2024 Second XI honors. She is currently tied for third all-time with 10 NWSL Best XI of the Month awards, having most recently secured honors in both March and April of the 2025 NWSL season. Her longevity is equally notable with 180 appearances and 150 starts. She is one of only 48 players in NWSL history to reach the 150-match milestone and one of just 26 to record 150 career starts. 

Midfielder Claire Hutton: After turning pro at 17 through the NWSL’s Under-18 Entry Mechanism, Hutton became a fixture in the Current’s midfield, starting 19 of 22 matches in her 2024 rookie season. Her immediate impact made her a finalist for both the NWSL Rookie of the Year and the U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year in 2024. In 2025, she remained a key defensive player and was nominated for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, which recognizes players who make a difference in their communities. 

Forward Temwa Chawinga: After winning consecutive Golden Boot and MVP awards across multiple seasons, forward Chawinga will start the 2026 NWSL season on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list while she recovers from a head injury sustained during the 2025 campaign. 

Racing Louisville FC 

Bay FC vs. Racing Louisville FC 
Home Match: September 20 at PayPal Park 

Forward Emma Sears: Sears claimed her club’s rookie scoring record with five-goals in 2024, before setting a new single-season scoring record for Louisville in 2025 with 10 goals. Sears has already earned over 10 caps for the USWNT, most notably scoring a hat trick this past October in a 6-0 win over New Zealand, the first USWNT hat trick since 2022 and the first professional hat trick of her career. She finished as a top-four scorer in the league for the 2025 campaign.  

Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer: Bloomer’s 2025 breakout season saw her finish second in the league with 89 saves and five clean sheets over 21 games. She made history as the first NWSL goalkeeper to save two penalty kicks in a single match, earning her NWSL Player of the Week honors and a spot on the NWSL Best XI of the Month. After taking over the starting role in May 2025, Bloomer’s reflex saves twice earned her NWSL Save of the Week honors.  

Orlando Pride 

Bay FC vs. Orlando Pride 
Home Match: September 27 at PayPal Park 

Forward Marta: The legendary Brazilian forward captained Orlando to the 2024 NWSL Shield and Championship titles, marking the first trophies in club history. In 2025, she was a finalist for both MVP and Midfielder of the Year and received nominations for both the FIFPRO World 11 and the Best FIFA Women’s 11. Marta, a former winner of The Best FIFA Women’s Player, continues to defy age with her vision and leadership. As the heartbeat of the Pride, she remains the gold standard for creativity in the NWSL, leading her team to the postseason while consistently being recognized among the elite players in the global game. 

Midfielder Jacquie Ovalle: Mexican international winger Ovalle made an immediate impact for Orlando in 2025, recording three goal contributions in her first eight matches. She won the Marta Award, a prestigious FIFA prize for the best goal in women’s football, and was a nominee for the 2024/25 Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year. Ovalle’s technical skill on the wing provided a new dimension to the Pride’s attack upon her debut in 2025. With a full NWSL season ahead of her in 2026, she is expected to be one of the most exciting attacking players to watch, bringing international flair and goal-scoring pedigree to Orlando. 

Portland Thorns FC 

Bay FC vs. Portland Thorns FC 
Home Match: October 18 at PayPal Park  

Midfielder Olivia Moultrie: Moultrie earned NWSL Best XI First Team honors in 2025 after setting a new league record for regular-season goals scored by a teenager. By scoring her 14th career goal, she surpassed the record previously held by Jaedyn Shaw. Moultrie’s trajectory has been historic since she committed to the University of North Carolina at age 11 and turned pro at 13. Now a veteran at 20, she has appeared in 95 NWSL matches with 65 starts, accumulating 18 goals and 11 assists. She holds the honor of being the youngest player to win a league championship (at age 17 in 2022).  

Foward Sophia Wilson: After spending the 2025 season on maternity leave, Wilson returns for the 2026 campaign. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft has been a catalyst for Portland’s success since her debut. She played a big role in the club’s 2021 NWSL Shield victory and famously scored the game-winning goal in the 2022 NWSL Championship. 

San Diego Wave FC 

Bay FC vs. San Diego Wave FC 
Home Match: November 1 at PayPal Park 

Forward Ludmila: Following her transfer from Chicago, Brazilian international Ludmila joins the club after recording 13 goals and one assist across 31 NWSL appearances. After arriving in the league in July 2024, she secured three goals in her first seven matches, followed by a 10-goal, one-assist performance during the 2025 regular season. Her tenure is highlighted by an NWSL record for the fastest hat trick in league history where she scored three goals in 10 minutes and nine seconds. 

Midfeilder Kenza Dali: Dali enjoyed a dominant first NWSL season, earning a spot on the Best XI Second Team and a nomination for NWSL Midfielder of the Year. She was the only Wave player to start all 26 matches in 2025, leading the entire league in expected assists, touches and passes completed/attempted. Dali also led her club in shots, shots on target, chances created and minutes played while tying for the club lead in goals (5) and contributing three assists in 2025. 

Watch some of the best players in the NWSL live from the Bay Area 

Get excited to cheer for Bay FC when we take on the league’s best at PayPal Park. 

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