Eight players who could shape the NWSL playoffs

The NWSL regular season is over, leaving eight teams in the hunt for the championship. From here, a small mistake can end a team’s run, while one standout performance might be enough to send it through.

The stars will need to deliver, of course. But experienced defenders, creative midfielders and players hitting form at just the right time could matter just as much. Here are eight players to watch.

Midge Purce — Gotham

Midge Purce has shown she can make an impact in different roles. After Jordyn Dudley suffered a season-ending injury on Oct. 1, coach Juan Carlos Amorós moved Purce from right back to right wing.

The switch paid off. Purce helped set up both of Gotham’s goals on Decision Day as the team secured its first NWSL Shield. She can contribute at the back, push forward and create chances for others—a useful mix in the playoffs.

Haley Hopkins — Kansas City Current

Temwa Chawinga often draws attention as Kansas City’s main attacking threat, but Haley Hopkins has quietly put together an impressive season of her own.

The striker has recorded 12 goals and four assists. Seven of those goals came late in the season, after a drought that lasted nearly two months. Her return to scoring form comes at a particularly welcome moment for the Current.

Leicy Santos — Washington Spirit

Hip and foot injuries kept Leicy Santos out for more than two months. When she returned on Oct. 17, coach Adrián González praised her passing, defensive work and ability to affect the game despite the long absence.

Washington has one of its key creators back just in time. Santos is also dangerous on set pieces, and if the Spirit make a deep run, she could be the player who produces a decisive moment.

Kenza Dali — San Diego Wave

Kenza Dali has become a central figure in San Diego’s midfield. She brings international experience, calm on the ball and a knack for controlling the pace of a match.

The Wave’s passing and vision have been strengths this season, with Dali often setting the tone. Her ability to keep possession and play through defensive lines could be important against Utah—and in the club’s push for a first title.

Sarah Gorden — Angel City

For consistency and leadership in defense, Sarah Gorden has been a steady presence for Angel City. She started 28 games this season as the club returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.

Gorden earned spots in the NWSL Best XI for August and September, finishing the season with 24 blocks, 34 interceptions and 141 recoveries. Angel City also kept nine clean sheets, with Gorden playing a major part.

The quarterfinal against Kansas City will be a demanding test. Gorden will need to keep the back line organized and stay alert against the Current’s dangerous attackers.

Kate Del Fava — Utah Royals

Kate Del Fava’s consistency has brought a couple of notable milestones: she made her USWNT debut last October, and she is set to play in her first NWSL playoff match.

She was also one of only eight players to play every minute this season. For Del Fava, that extends a remarkable run of playing every minute for three straight seasons.

She can threaten in the air, too, and scored twice from headers off corner kicks this year. Del Fava finished with 40 interceptions, 33 tackles and an 84% passing accuracy. As Utah prepares for its first playoff quarterfinal, her leadership could be especially valuable while the team looks to find its scoring touch.

Jordyn Bugg — Seattle Reign

At 20, Jordyn Bugg has already established herself as one of the league’s most promising defenders. Her progress builds on a strong 2025 campaign, when she became the youngest finalist for NWSL Defender of the Year and made the league’s Best XI Second Team.

Bugg scored the goal that secured Seattle’s place in the playoffs. Her total defensive contributions trail only Phoebe McClernon’s on the team, and the Reign will need her composure and awareness against Gotham in the quarterfinals.

Caiya Hanks — Portland Thorns

Caiya Hanks has played only 11 games this season, but she has worked her way into Portland’s starting lineup. She returned from an ACL injury on Aug. 15 and initially played only a few minutes. Then she scored a long-range winner against Orlando Pride, making her return hard to overlook.

Her minutes have continued to grow, and she regularly looks to break through defensive lines. Hanks is finding form at a useful time. She has scored twice, but her ability to carry the ball and take on defenders has made her an effective option for the Thorns.