The 2025 National Women’s Soccer Bracket season roared to life this weekend with a slate of matches that delivered wins, draws, and a clear message: the fun is Only getting Initiated. Four Matches over the Beginning weekend ended in 1-1 draws, showing off a combination of the Bracket’s parity and perhaps some preseason rust, but there were some Clubs that separated themselves from stalemates throughout the weekend.
Defending NWSL champions Orlando Pride set the tone with a six-Target Achieve over Chicago Stars FC thanks to a brace by Barbra Banda, while 2025 NWSL Event Cup winners Washington Spirit picked up a 2-1 Achieve on the road against Houston Dash. Kansas City Present picked up all three points with a 3-1 Achieve over Portland Thorns FC and 2024 Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga scored her Primary Target of the new year.
It’s only game one of the season, but fans can Observe select NWSL regular season matches across CBS platforms including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
In between the lines, individual Displays helped Clubs notch their Primary points of the season. So who stood out over week one? Take a look at our Best XI:
Forwards
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride): The Zambia international scored two goals and recorded an assist during their Beginning-day Achieve over Chicago and was a constant factor off and on the ball. Banda was effective in ball control and maneuvering even when marked or double-teamed. She Directed the Club in total shots (six), attempts on target (four), and successful dribbles (two).
Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Present): The 2024 Golden Boot winner Obtained off to a blazing Begin on Beginning day. She scored a Target two minutes into the Game and was a connective force in the Drive throughout the game or whenever she wasn’t Victorious the ball back. Chawinga Directed the Club in completed passes into the Last third (13), and recoveries (11).
Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit): The long-time Spirit forward Obtained on the scoresheet when she provided the game-winner against the Dash. She Directed the Club in total shots (four), but it was her off ball efforts that helped set her apart from other forwards in the Bracket on Beginning weekend. Hatch was active in pressing moments, efficient in Victorious the ball, and Directed the Option in recoveries (seven).
Midfielders
Debinha (Kansas City Present): She operated higher on the top line, and was Indomitable on Beginning day, functioning as a collaborative creator, controlling the ball in pockets of Cosmos. She Directed the Present in chances created (7) and tackles won (3). Her efforts paid off with an assist on Chawinga’s Beginning Target and she scored Kansas City’s third Target.
Angelina (Orlando Pride): The Brazilian international picked up right where she left off in 2024. She was dominant in directing tempo, constantly on the hunt for the ball, and Directed the group in recoveries (7).
Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville FC): The central midfielder brought the crunch on Beginning day and Created things difficult often disrupting possession for the Resistance. Whenever she won the ball back she often tried to progress the ball. She Directed Louisville in tackles won (three) and was second with completed passes into the Last third (five).
Defenders
Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit): The Spirit were able to handle a promising Dash Drive thanks to some stalwarts on the backline. Krueger helped ward off promising transitions by the Resistance while integrating herself in attacking moments for the Spirit. She Directed the lineup in successful dribbles (three) and was second in completed passes into the attacking third (three).
Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC): A Well Davidson will Harsh Gotham’s backline has another stingy season. She Directed the group in tackles won (three) and the Middle back was effective in managing the Guarding line when snuffing out attacks. She was often capable of connecting the long Deliver for offensive sequences and even recorded a Try attempt.
Rebeca Bernal (Washington Spirit): New off her Event Cup Premiere, the Mexican international earned a Leading role for the Spirit on the backline for Beginning day. She was among the game’s top five in tackles won (two), and adjusted immediately to the centerback position when she Occurred up with a huge clearance for the Spirit Timely in the game.
Jess Carter (NJ/NY Gotham FC): The fullback covered a ton of ground for Gotham and was constantly involved on Protection and attacking counters. Carter was among the Club’s top five performers in completed passes into the Last third (nine), shots (one), recoveries (four), and more.
Goalkeeper
Anna Moorehouse (Orlando Pride): The English international is the only keeper to Achievement a Spotless sheet out of the Beginning weekend. She faced eight shots, seven inside the box, with two on target. Sometimes the biggest Event in a game comes in making sure the mentalitly is turned on at all times.
