The NWSL Gauntlet: Week 22’s Unsung Heroes and Playoff Shakers Emerge

As the curtain begins to draw on the 2025 NWSL regular season, the playoff race has escalated from a sprint to an all-out marathon. With just four weeks remaining, every pass, tackle, and goal carries the weight of a season, making individual brilliance not just noteworthy, but absolutely critical. Week 22 delivered a thrilling spectacle, highlighting the players and tactical minds who refused to yield an inch in the face of mounting pressure.

From audacious saves to stunning hat tricks, the league`s top talent put on a masterclass, reshaping playoff narratives and, in some cases, extending a team`s improbable fight. Let`s delve into the performances that defined a pivotal week, where certain teams punched their tickets, others kept their hopes alive, and one beloved squad, despite bowing out, left an indelible mark.

Guarding the Gates and Fortifying the Defense

In a league where goals often define the highlight reels, the steadfast efforts of goalkeepers and defenders often go underappreciated. Week 22, however, saw these guardians of the net take center stage, proving that sometimes, preventing a goal is as impactful as scoring one.

Mia Justus (Utah Royals) – Goalkeeper Extraordinaire

The Utah Royals, against all odds, are proving to be the season`s dark horses, delivering upsets with a defiant spirit. At the heart of their resilience is goalkeeper Mia Justus, whose commanding presence and crucial saves ensured a clean sheet, a testament to her growing influence and the team`s refusal to fade quietly.

Janni Thomsen (Utah Royals) – The Defensive Dynamo

It seems the footballing gods have taken a particular liking to Janni Thomsen. For the second consecutive week, the Royals defender not only earned a spot on the Team of the Week but also found the back of the net. Her uncanny ability to score from distance, coupled with her defensive solidity, makes her a rare, invaluable asset.

Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC) – The Rock at the Back

While Gotham FC`s attacking fullbacks often grab headlines, it`s the quiet, consistent strength of center-back Emily Sonnett that underpins their tactical success. As the team`s pressing intensity ramps up, so does Sonnett`s workload, yet her stable presence and leadership in recoveries (a league-leading six among defenders) are foundational to Gotham`s playoff ambitions.

Phoebe McClernon (Seattle Reign FC) – The Unwavering Leader

Seattle Reign FC`s potential “x-factor” in the playoff crunch lies in their tactical flexibility, a luxury afforded by reliable personnel like Phoebe McClernon. Her leadership and consistency at center-back have been a constant this season. Leading her team`s defenders in recoveries (five) and duels won (nine), McClernon is the calm amidst the storm, enabling Coach Laura Harvey`s strategic shifts.

Janine Sonis (Racing Louisville FC) – The Flank Force

For Racing Louisville FC, Week 22 was a triumphant culmination of effort, largely thanks to Janine Sonis. Her burgeoning chemistry with Emma Sears on the flank has opened up promising attacking sequences, while her ability to swiftly recover defensive positions after Sears pushes forward has become a tactical nightmare for opposing teams. Sonis’s all-around contribution played a key role in snapping Racing’s losing streak.

Midfield Maestros and Forward Finesse

The NWSL’s reputation for thrilling, attacking football was on full display, with midfielders pulling the strings and forwards delivering decisive blows. These players didn`t just participate; they dominated.

Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit) – The Spirit`s Architect

The Washington Spirit`s preferred starting lineup is gelling beautifully, and midfielder Croix Bethune is making impact creation look effortless. Her exceptional vision and ability to “thread the needle” with passes, regardless of traffic in the box, are proving invaluable as the Spirit confidently march into the postseason.

Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC) – Elite and Ever-Present

Witnessing Rose Lavelle`s brilliance in consecutive postseasons has been a privilege, and this year promises more of the same. Her Week 22 performance, featuring both a goal and an assist, served as a potent reminder of her elite status and her pivotal role in Gotham`s potent attack.

Lo`eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current) – The Penalty Queen

The Kansas City Current continue their impressive season, and veteran midfielder Lo`eau LaBonta remains their ever-reliable penalty taker. Her 14th career penalty conversion not only extended her team`s run but also tied her with Megan Rapinoe for a significant league record, solidifying her legendary status from the spot.

Attacking Prowess: Goals, Goals, Goals!

No team of the week would be complete without the clinical finishers and creative attackers who turn chances into celebrations. Week 22 saw some truly spectacular offensive displays.

Midge Purce (Gotham FC) – The Resurgent Attacker

A healthy Gotham FC roster is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the league, and the return to form of Midge Purce is a prime example. Having strung together three consecutive 90-minute performances, her crucial goal in Week 22 earned her a well-deserved spot on this week`s honor roll, signaling her full recovery and renewed threat.

Jacqueline Ovalle (Orlando Pride) – Instant Impact

Mexican international forward Jacqueline Ovalle has wasted absolutely no time making her mark for the Orlando Pride. After an assist last week, she followed up with a clinical goal this week, showcasing her immediate influence and cementing her as a dynamic force for her new club.

Gift Monday (Washington Spirit) – The Hat-Trick Hero

While not quite the breakneck pace of Ludmila`s August hat trick, Washington Spirit`s Gift Monday delivered a first-half hat trick that was still the fastest in a single half this season. Three goals in the 18th, 21st, and 36th minutes – a truly remarkable feat that underlines her explosive talent and the Spirit`s formidable attacking depth.

The Tactician and the Valiant Farewell

Behind every great performance, there`s often a brilliant mind at work, guiding and strategizing. And sometimes, even in defeat, a team leaves an enduring legacy.

Coach: Bev Yanez (Racing Louisville FC) – The Adjuster

Head Coach Bev Yanez orchestrated a critical victory for Racing Louisville FC, snapping a three-game losing streak. Her astute tactical adjustments, including moving Janine Sonis to left-back following Lauren Milliet`s injury and bravely giving rookie Sarah Webber a starting nod, highlight her innovative leadership. Racing’s first playoff appearance remains a tangible goal, thanks to such decisive moves.

Honorary Captains: Chicago Stars FC – A Memorable Bow

Alas, the 2025 postseason dreams for the Chicago Stars FC have officially drawn to a close. While they were the first team eliminated from contention, their departure hardly came without a fight or, more importantly, without a collection of truly memorable moments. Their mid-season run included a resilient six-game unbeaten streak, a league-record hat trick by Ludmila that rightfully earned her Player of the Month honors, and a new league saves record for the indomitable Alyssa Naeher. In a testament to their underdog spirit, this last-place team even managed to snap first-place Kansas City`s formidable shutout streak. So, to the Chicago Stars FC, while your playoff journey ends here, your spirit and impactful moments resonate. We eagerly anticipate what you`ll bring to the pitch next season.

As the NWSL hurtles towards its thrilling conclusion, Week 22 serves as a stark reminder of the league`s unparalleled competitiveness and the sheer talent on display. The stage is set for an electrifying finish, where every match will be a playoff in itself, and new heroes are bound to emerge.