The 2026 NWSL regular season is inching towards its conclusion with teams competing for playoff positions. There comes a point in the season where there's no room for small moments, and with just two months remaining in the schedule, players are stepping up in big ways. That means it's time for Attacking Third's NWSL Team of the Week honors.
Back for a second year is everyone's favorite content trend, and following 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.
Sometimes it takes an outrageous play by a goalkeeper to amp up a team and snap them out of a rut, and that's exactly what Washington Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver did against Portland Thorns in a high-pressure opening 30 minutes. MACIVER. 🤯@WashSpirit's last line of defense doing her job and then some to keep Portland at bay!Watch live on @CBS and @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/FnkDxB1hTs This week, defenders were no strangers to getting on the scoresheet, but none of them did it as epically as Kansas City Current fullback Izzy Rodriguez. We were all standing and applauding after her Olympico from the corner flag.
AN OLIMPICO?? 🤯Izzy Rodriguez casually scoring DIRECTLY from the corner! pic.twitter.com/sb3Q3ELusY If you have a former forward turned centerback on your roster, chances are you're the Washington Spirit. She stepped up to convert the penalty against Portland. Tara Rudd buries the penalty to equalize in Portland 👀💫Watch @ThornsFC vs @WashSpirit NOW on @CBS & @paramountplus 📺 pic.twitter.com/8slnxG5ptu If the game is spinning defenders on their heads, you better hope the centerbacks are on a swivel, and thankfully the Washington Spirit have Esme Morgan on the backline.
She faced waves of pressure and attack against Portland, but helped turn the tide with stabilizing defense. Led the team in recoveries (seven) and was second in clearances (four). Angel City defenders are turning up huge for the team down the stretch of the season and Evenlyn Shores is just another one of those multi-tool players for them.
She scored two goals against Racing Louisville to help secure a big three points. EVELYN SHORES BRACE 💪The defender found the back of the net twice in the second half to secure three points for @weareangelcity on the road 👏🎥 @NWSL pic.twitter.com/bMb3SUDFrb A defensive midfielder who has no problem swarming the box and taking a longer-range shot? That can only be Orlando Pride's Haley McCutcheon.
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