With five matches left in the 2026 NWSL season, SB Nation’s MVP shortlist features Ashley Sanchez, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, Cloé Lacasse and Barbra Banda. Sanchez leads the group with 19 goals, one short of Temwa Chawinga’s 20-goal season record.
Sanchez has already broken the American single-season goals record, surpassing Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn’s 15; she also leads the league with 23 combined goals and assists. Her five August goals earned her Player of the Month. Rodman has 18 combined goals and assists and is a major contributor to second-place Washington, five points behind Gotham.
Wilson has 11 goals, third in the Golden Boot race, and leads the league in expected goals at 15.2; she has converted all four penalties. Utah’s Lacasse shares the assist lead with 10, has 17 goal contributions and ranks third in chances created (47), as fourth-place Utah remains in playoff spots. Banda is three goals behind Sanchez in the Golden Boot race, with three goals and an assist across two September games; Orlando is out of playoff contention.
