As the calendar enters the final third of the schedule for the 2026 NWSL regular season, it's no surprise players are still producing big moments. Whether it's on the pitch or off, it's time to roll out Attacking Third's NWSL Team of the Week honors.
Everyone's favorite content trend is back for another season. After weekly matches across the 2026 NWSL season, Attacking Third analysts will select a team of the week, head coach, and honorary captain based on performances across the weekend.
Here you can find a mix of stats and data, analysis from our pundits, and highlights you may have missed over the weekend. If you're keeping track of who earned past honors, check out our previous team of the week.
This week, we had a bit more fun, even changed up our preferred lineup formation, and saluted an NWSL legend. Coaches made history too, so congratulations to Karina Baez on becoming the first-ever Mexican woman to earn a regular-season win in a head coaching role.
Here's who made the latest edition:
Goalkeeper: Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC)
Jordan Silkowitz has put her goalkeeper skills on display all year for Bay FC. Her 85 saves through 19 games this season lead the entire league, and while it's a stat that can sometimes say more about the team's entire defensive state, it's still impressive. This week she's on the team for another shot-stopping clinic against Houston Dash.
JORDAN SILKOWITZ DOUBLE SAVE 🙅♀️ It's end-to-end action between Bay FC and Houston Dash! Catch the action live on @CBSSportsNet 📺 pic.twitter.com/VE7S5AmP74
— W Golazo (@WGolazo) August 23, 2026
Defender: Rafaelle (Orlando Pride)
Orlando have to scrap their way out of a slump, and that oftentimes starts out back. Pride defender and Brazilian international Rafaelle was non-stop in providing defensive coverage against Washington Spirit. She led the team in shot blocks (three) and clearances (18).
Defender: Jayden Perry (Portland Thorns FC)
Sometimes the defensive play that helps the most is the ones that come when you're capable of controlling the ball and aiding in distribution and that's what Thorns FC fullback Jayden Perry did over the weekend. She helped Portland pick up their first clean sheet since July 5.
Defender: Sarah Gorden (Angel City)
Angel City defender Sarah Gorden is a league veteran and knows how to produce big moments when the team needs it. She picked up two critical blocks against Gotham FC to disrupt any link-ups between Sam Kerr and Jaedyn Shaw.
Sarah Gorden with TWO massive blocks in the span of 5 minutes ❌❌ pic.twitter.com/YBb6TLCEhI
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 24, 2026
Midfielder: Lauren Milliet (Racing Louisville)
A double match week for Louisville and Lauren Milliet's three assists over two games put her into the team as we tweak our lineup a bit. She delivered a heads-up assist off a short throw-in.
Death, Taxes, Taylor Flint in the air 🎯#CHIvLOU | @FireballWhisky pic.twitter.com/bWNobNw8At
— Racing Louisville FC (@RacingLouFC) August 23, 2026
Midfielder: Jessie Fleming (Portland Thorns)
Portland Thorns midfielder Jessie Fleming showed off her vision and line-breaking pass ability with this long ball through to find Sophia Wilson for a goal.
Sophia Wilson is just smooth like that 😎 Her poised finish opens the scoring against Denver! pic.twitter.com/7gYA5koubC
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 23, 2026
Midfielder: Haley McCutcheon (Orlando Pride)
Barbra Banda is back, and Pride midfielder Haley McCutcheon welcomed her back by getting a foot on this great pass for the game winner against Washington Spirit.
Just three minutes in and Barbra Banda and Haley McCutcheon link up to put Orlando in front 👀 pic.twitter.com/yWJpt75LfJ
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 23, 2026
Midfielder: Mallory Swanson (Chicago Stars FC)
Welcome back to the team, Mallory Swanson. This week it's for her skillful spin-in-the-box goal and an epic call-your-shot assist to Jameese Joseph.
MALLORY SWANSON, WHAT A TURN 🫨 Chicago Stars retake the lead and Mal gets a goal alongside her assist! Catch the action live on @CBSSportsNet 📺 pic.twitter.com/FdBqMH9GD9
— W Golazo (@WGolazo) August 23, 2026
Mal Swanson: "right there 👉🥅" Jameese Joseph: "say less 🙂↕️" pic.twitter.com/Ym56Dshtmm
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 23, 2026
Forward: Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage)
There's a new leader in the NWSL Golden Boot race, and it's North Carolina Courage winger Ashley Sanchez. She doesn't look like she'll stop scoring anytime soon.
Shimmy shift by Ashley Sanchez and North Carolina leads! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/TC6Pk5ZCWz
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 22, 2026
Forward: Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave FC)
San Diego have been on the hunt for goals several weeks now, and thankfully, Trinity Byars is the answer. Two goals and an assist for team of the week honors, and what a sprint for this go-ahead goal.
Trinity Byars sprinted half the field and ROCKETED in her second goal of the night 🚀 pic.twitter.com/7S5HDMF35I
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 22, 2026
Forward: Kat Rader (Houston Dash)
Midweek games can feel like forever ago, but they still count for team of the week memories. Rookie Kat Rader is having a good season for the Dash and can't stop scoring.
The Dash's Avery Patterson puts it on a platter for Kat Rader! 👩🍳 pic.twitter.com/AYG4x9PZtn
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 20, 2026
Coach: Karina Baez (Chicago Stars FC)
After a head coaching change, a shift in staff, and one draw later, the Chicago Stars finally got a win for interim head coach Karina Baez. A 3-2 win over Racing Louisville, which ended their four-game win streak, finally brought some joy to the lakefront for Chicago. A historic one too: Karina Baez becomes the first-ever Mexican woman to win an NWSL game in a head coaching role.
Honorary captain: Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns)
For a brief moment, all was right in the NWSL universe because Tobin Heath was able to sign a one-day contract and officially retire as a Portland Thorns player. The U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer, two-time World Cup winner, Olympic gold medalist, and all-around certified baller was just as decorated in league play.
She's the club's all-time assist leader (66) and won two NWSL Championships (2013, 2017) and the NWSL Shield (2016). She held the all-time single-season assist record (10) for nearly a decade before Croix Bethune matched the 10 assists in 2024. Her number is now retired in Portland, but her legacy is forever.
Add CBS Sports on Google Join the Conversation commentsthere's only one Tobin ❤️ tonight we'll honor no. 17 and one of the greatest Thorns to wear the crest. pic.twitter.com/V5txl45Q83
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) August 22, 2026
