Data by PIRlo (Jonathan Kiersky & Jon Varela, The Captains Agency)
Powered by The Captains Agency, PIRlo is a proprietary data-driven evaluation system that rates and showcases players using real performance data to assess, develop, and promote athletes at every level. To learn more about our partnership, read our profile on the Captains Agency.
The 2025 NWSL regular season delivered one of the highest-quality campaigns in league history. That excellence that fans witnessed is perfectly captured by PIRlo’s model. The numbers provided by PIRlo evaluate passing, creation, defensive actions, progression, interceptions, dribbling, aerial duels, and other key metrics. The following list shows the top 10 players in the league this season, ranked by their PIRlo scores and supported by detailed performance data.
1-Delphine Cascarino (RW/F, San Diego Wave, 388.11 PIRlo Rating)
San Diego Wave’s Delphine Cascarino produced one of the greatest right-wing/forward seasons ever recorded in the NWSL. PIRlo’s model compares her passing profile to Rodri’s Ballon d’Or 2023-2024 at Manchester City. It’s a nearly unthinkable comparison for a winger. Cascarino deserves to be at the top of the list because she dominated every creative metric: she is in the 100th percentile in assists, crosses, key passes, deep completed crosses, passes into the box, smart passes, progressive passes, and accurate forward passing. Creative and clinical.
What sets her apart is that she combines quality with quantity: she leads the league in both passes attempted and accuracy across all distances. Cascarino is also an elite dribbler and an excellent passer. This makes her the most complete and dangerous wide creator in the league. She lives permanently in the final third, breaks defensive lines at will, and produces the most devastating chance-creation numbers in NWSL history. This season, Cascarino was the league’s most dangerous playmaker, most efficient creator, and most complete attacking winger. All this secures her the top spot without debate.
2-Kenza Dali (DM, San Diego Wave, 387.78 PIRlo Rating)
The second-best player in the league this year is also from the San Diego Wave. Kenza Dali was the engine of PIRlo’s highest-ranked team in the league, operating as #6 and #8 (similar to Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández) when it comes to dictating tempo and breaking defenses. She is essentially tied with Cascarino in impact since she is just .36 behind her on the PIRlo scale. San Diego had not one, but two MVP-level players on their roster this year
According to PIRlo’s model, Dali ranks in the 100th percentile across all levels of passing. She is in the 100th percentile in expected assists, shot assists, shots, crosses, progressive runs, and passes received. Dali’s value lies in the fact that she controls the center of the pitch like a true metronome while also being the most dangerous creator from deep. Not many players combine creation and defensive output like Dali does. She was the best all-zone passer in the NWSL this season.
3-Trinity Armstrong (RCB, San Diego Wave, 356.35)
At just 18 years old, San Diego Wave’s Trinity Armstrong recorded the best projection PIRlo has ever produced for a teenager, whether in men’s or women’s soccer. She is one of the top 14 teenagers playing in the NWSL currently. Her comps include Joško Gvardiol before his move to Manchester City and Dean Huijsen before his Real Madrid signing. She is also projected to reach the caliber of a prime Virgil van Dijk.
Armstrong is already the most dangerous offensive center back in the NWSL. Her metrics place her in the 100th percentile in expected goals, shots per 90, headed goals, received passes, smart passes, and deep completions. She also ranks elite in progressive runs and passing accuracy. Defensively, she is strong, but her standout trait is probably her ability to build and create from the back. With her numbers, Armstrong’s profile feels like one of a seasoned veteran and not an 18-year-old player.
4-Leicy Santos (AM, Washington Spirit, 352.69)
Leicy Santos from Washington Spirit is an all-action #10. Her closest comparison in style is Morgan Gibbs-White, especially in the way she blends creativity with pressing intensity and defensive range. Santos also ranked in the 100th percentile in assists per 90, passes, forward passes, long passes, passes to the final third, passes into the penalty area, progressive passes, and interceptions.
Santos definitely deserves the 4th position in PIRlo’s list for the top 10 players in the NWSL this season. She can instantly flip defensive situations into attacking opportunities, which helps place her teammates into scoring positions. Her numbers show elite intelligence, efficiency, and range. This is basically the definition of a modern attacking midfielder.
5-Izzy Rodriguez (LB, Kansas City Current, 346.94)
Kansas City Current’s Izzy Rodriguez is the best outside fullback in the NWSL. She could be compared to Jordi Alba and Antonee Robinson, especially with her relentless attacking output and progressive passing. According to the data provided by PIRlo, she is in the 100th percentile in assists, xA, crosses, long passes, shot assists, passes to the penalty area, deep completed passes, progressive passes, and overall attacking involvement.
Rodriguez is not only the top left back in the league, but she is also one of the top creators at any position. Her vision, overlapping threat, and amount of incisive passes separate her from other fullbacks.
6-Olivia Moultrie (AM, Portland Thorns, 346.02 PIRlo Rating)
Olivia Moultrie has emerged as one of the most explosive young playmakers in women’s soccer. She produced a season that mirrors that of Cole Palmer. The difference is that she has even stronger defensive metrics.
Moultrie ranked in the 100th percentile for goals, xG, xA, shots, forward passing accuracy, passing accuracy, and penalty area passes. She also had a 99th percentile dribble success and high defensive duel volume, which shows that she contributes in all phases. Her blend of scoring, expectation, creativity, and dribbling makes her one of the most dangerous attackers in the league.
7-Croix Bethune (AM, Washington Spirit, 341.22)
Washington Spirit’s Croix Bethune had a dominant season as a physically commanding #10. This placed her in comparison with Martin Ødegaard, especially with her technical and positional intelligence. Bethune leads all midfielders in aerial duels won, headed goals, second assists, deep completions, and successful passes to the penalty area.
Bethune is also the most impactful dribbler in the league and one of the most complete creators anywhere on the pitch. Her ability to create for both herself and others with equal threat makes her deserve a place in the top 10 players this year in the league.
8-Tara McKeown (RCB, Washington Spirit, 337.05)
Tara McKeown, who is also from the Washington Spirit, is a rare center back who excels at both goal prevention and goal creation. PIRlo compares her profile to Rúben Dias or Marc Guéhi. She ranks 100th percentile in assists, xA, defensive actions, interceptions, dribbles, offensive duels, key passes, and shot assists. These numbers are almost unheard of for a center back. McKeown is the definition of a two-way force. This is because she defends with intelligence and aggression while acting as a creative hub from the back line. No other defender in the league contributes in such a complete way across all three phases of play.
9-Bia Zaneratto (CF, Kansas City Current, 335.79)
Bia Zaneratto is described by PIRlo data as the “anti-Messi.” That’s not because she lacks brilliance, but because, unlike Messi, she contributes heavily in every single category PIRlo tracks. This includes defensive works and duels. Zaneratto is the league’s most complete striker as she ranks in the 100th percentile in assists and offensive duels, not to mention she is an exceptional creator of goals. Her xA, shot assists, and creativity numbers are elite for a center forward. She is also one of the most complete players in the league. Zaneratto shares some characteristics with Olivier Giroud. Statistically, she is the best goal distributor #9 in the NWSL this season.
10-Debinha (CF, Kansas City Current, 334.00 PIRlo Rating)
The last player in our list for the top 10 players in the NWSL this year is the Kansas City Current’s Debinha. Her season was built around line-breaking passes, world-class vision, and creativity. She led all center forwards in nearly every metric measuring defensive disruption and unlocking opposing backlines. At the 100th percentile in forward passes, shot assists, smart passes, key passes, through balls, deep completions, and progressive passing, she was the most dangerous passing sticker in the NWSL. We could compare her to Yoane Wissa, which highlights her unpredictable movement and ability to pressure defenses with both on-ball and off-ball threats. At one point in time, she was described as the best player in the NWSL.
This is GSN’s pick for top 10 players in the NWSL this year. It covered the best players across the league regardless of their position. All information was based on PIRlo’s data.
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