That trio, along with Washington Spirit's Trinity Rodman and Utah Royals' Ally Sentnor, among top NWSL stars
Last season the NWSL turned heads with international players taking center stage, with Barbra Banda to Temwa Chawinga seemingly scoring almost every time they touched the ball. And then there were Brazilian stars such as Marta, Adriana and Angelina putting the Orlando Pride on the map.
This year, there are plenty of players to watch, and INDIVISA is here to break it down.
Getty Images Sport10Alyssa Thompson: Angel City
Alyssa Thompson was selected first by Angel City in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Thompson was still in high school and has already made a name for herself beyond her years.
In 2024 she scored four goals and added seven assists, and 2025 is looking even brighter for her after announcing her contract extension with the club through 2028.
AdvertisementUSA Today Sports 9Ally Sentnor: Utah Royals
The 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year and 2023 NWSL first-overall draft pick, Ally Sentnor returns to Utah for her second season in the league.
While her first year didn't see the Royals go past the regular season, she still put up some good numbers in her own right scoring four goals and adding three assists.
Sentnor has a big task in front of adding some goals and wins to the Royals' resume, but after her performances with the USWNT in the SheBelieves Cup, she is more than ready.
Getty8Rose Lavelle: NJ/NY Gotham FC
Rose Lavelle has been out of commission for far too long, so the hope is that this season she'll return in full health and be Gotham's pulse in the midfield.
Lavelle joined the NWSL in 2017 after being drafted first overall by the Washington Spirit. In 2024, Lavelle joined Gotham as part of a three-year deal alongside fellow USWNT teammates Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett.
Assuming Lavelle is back and healthy, she will absolutely be crucial to Gotham making another playoff run.
Getty Images7Yazmeen Ryan: Houston Dash
Yazmeen Ryan is a two-time NWSL Champion and is poised for a big season after joining the Houston Dash from Gotham. Ryan is a midfielder on the U.S. women's national team and joined the Dash for a reported $400,000 fee, an historic number for an intra-league transfer.
Ryan will offer the Dash all kinds of options both attacking wise and defensively. She's innovative going forward, but also tracks back and takes pride in her defense.
