Last weekend marked the end of the 2026 NWSL regular season, a campaign that saw multiple U.S. Women's National Team players write their names in the record books. Ahead of the playoffs starting on Friday, Nov. 6, here's a look back at some of the biggest moments from this season.
North Carolina Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez scored 20 goals this season, tying the single-season scoring record previously set by Temwa Chawinga in 2024, to earn the 2026 NWSL Golden Boot. Sanchez tallied five multi-goal performances – also a new regular season record – and by scoring her 16th goal in August, she broke the record for most goals scored by an American, previously held by USWNT greats Alex Morgan (2022) and Crystal Dunn (2015). Sanchez's 20 goals this season were more than she had scored in her first five professional seasons combined (19).
Sanchez carried her attacking momentum onto the international stage when she returned to the USWNT in October for her first match in nearly two years. She scored her fourth international goal on Oct. 13 in the 2-2 draw against Spain in Chester, Pa.
Not far behind Sanchez on the goal scoring list were forwards Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman. On Decision Day, Wilson scored twice in the Portland Thorns' 2-0 win over the Houston Dash to bring her season total to 15 goals, her new single-season high. The record-breaking goal came from the penalty spot, from where she went 6-for-6 this season and is 10-for-10 in her career. She also recorded five assists in 2026 to set a career high in goal contributions (20).
Also getting on the scoresheet on the final day of the regular season was Rodman, who scored the late clincher in the Washington Spirit's 2-0 win over Chicago Stars FC. The goal was Rodman's 12th of the season to set a new career high. Her eight assists this season were also a career best.
Rodman leads the USWNT in goal contributions in 2026 (2g/3a), while Wilson has recorded a goal and an assist since returning from maternity leave this spring.
On Oct. 25, Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune set the new single-season assist record with her 11th helper of the season on the game-winner in the 2-1 victory over the Washington Spirit. Bethune previously tied the record in her rookie season in 2024 with 10, which was set in 2016 by Tobin Heath. Bethune now has 23 career assists through three seasons. The Atlanta, Ga., native also recorded her first international assist in the USWNT's first game of the year, a 6-0 win over Paraguay in January.
Gotham FC set club records in points (61) and wins (18) this year to earn its first NWSL Shield. Midfielder Jaedyn Shaw led the way with 11 goals – a career high – scoring over a quarter of the team's 39 goals this season. She also recorded five assists to end the regular season with 16 goal contributions, the second-most in a single season in Gotham history. Decision Day also marked her 100th regular season appearance as the 21-year-old became the second-youngest NWSL player to reach the milestone behind only Olivia Moultrie. Shaw has one goal and two assists for the USWNT this year.
Lindsey Heaps returns home in Denver's inaugural season
USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps returned to her hometown and to the NWSL this summer after five years with French club OL Lyonnes. The midfielder recorded 10 goal contributions for the Denver Summit – seven goals and three assists – which was tied for fourth-most on the team playing in only 13 matches. The Summit narrowly missed out on the postseason, despite scoring the second-most goals in the league and the most ever by an expansion team (53).
Del Fava, Rudd, Wesley play every minute of 2026 season
Defenders Kate Del Fava, Tara Rudd and Kennedy Wesley were among the eight Iron Women who played all 2,700 minutes this season. Del Fava, who made her USWNT debut in October, achieved the feat for the third-consecutive season, helping the Utah Royals to its first-ever playoffs. Rudd played every minute for the Spirit for the second time, previously doing so in 2024. Wesley became San Diego Wave's first-ever Iron Woman.
Goalkeepers set saves, shutout records
It was a historic season for Seattle Reign's Claudia Dickey, who became the club's all-time leader in shutouts (20) and saves (241). Mandy McGlynn became Utah's all-time leader with 14 clean sheets. Houston Dash's Jane Campbell broke her own record from 2024 and set the new NWSL single-season saves mark at 127. In second place with 115 saves was Bay FC's Jordan Silkowitz, who also tied the NWSL record for most saves in a single match with 12.
