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Jeff Kassouf
This season, the Kansas City Current are having an unprecedented year in NWSL history. They are leading in multiple statistics, from total points to wins, shutouts, and even the longest shutout streak. The evidence shows we may be witnessing the most remarkable season in NWSL history, powered by the league’s most talented and well-rounded team.
If this evokes a strong emotional response, that’s great — it’s time for a debate. The word “likely” is key here, as we muse over which past NWSL teams might claim the title of the best ever.
For this discussion, we’ll evaluate seasons prior to the current 2025 season, still ongoing. (Mark your calendars for NWSL’s “decision day” on November 2, where every team will compete for playoff positions — watch live on ESPN and ESPN+.) Should the Current add a championship to their already impressive NWSL Shield performance in next month’s playoffs, their claim as the greatest team in history becomes indisputable.
The NWSL has transformed significantly since its inception in 2013, complicating any comparisons across eras. But don’t worry; that’s why we’re here. Let’s rank the top teams in NWSL history.
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10. 2017 North Carolina Courage
Record (W-D-L): 16-1-7, 49 points
Trophies: NWSL Shield
The North Carolina Courage could have multiple entries on this list from their era of dominance that kicked off with their 2016 NWSL Championship as the Western New York Flash. Initially viewed as an underdog, by 2017 — their first year in North Carolina — they emerged as clear favorites alongside a formidable Portland team.
Notable additions to the squad included Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, Lynn Biyendolo, and Jaelene Daniels from the draft class that reshaped the team’s trajectory. They bolstered their squad with Debinha, rookies Ashley Hatch and Darian Jenkins, and the remarkable acquisition of midfielder Denise O’Sullivan from waivers after she was released by the Houston Dash. O’Sullivan remains a key player today, serving as the long-standing captain.
9. 2017 Portland Thorns
Record (W-D-L): 14-5-5, 47 points
Trophies: NWSL Championship
After clinching the Shield in 2016, the Portland Thorns FC faced off against the Courage in a gritty final, securing a 1-0 victory. While the match was one of the rougher finals in league history, the Thorns’ overall season was commendable.
With only five losses, the Thorns led the league in defensive strength and finished just two points behind the Courage. The squad featured prominent players like Tobin Heath and Lindsey Horan at their peak, complemented by Amandine Henry in midfield.
8. 2013 FC Kansas City
Record (W-D-L): 11-5-6, 38 pts.
Trophies: None
Let’s recognize the original standard of skillful and effective soccer established in the NWSL’s inaugural season.
While FC Kansas City did miss out on the first NWSL Shield to the Western New York Flash due to a tiebreaker, and fell to the Portland Thorns in the semifinals, the team featured Becky Sauerbrunn and Lauren Holiday in their prime alongside rookie standout Erika Tymrak, forming a robust foundation that would lead to championships in 2014 and 2015.
Holiday was both the league’s first Golden Boot winner and MVP that year, with Kansas City sweeping all six end-of-year awards. While talent was well-distributed across the inaugural season’s teams, this FCKC squad would surely hold its own against teams from any era.
7. 2024 NJ/NY Gotham FC
Record (W-D-L): 17-5-4, 56 pts.
Trophies: None
Any of last year’s top four teams would have secured the Shield in nearly any other NWSL season, with the exception of 2018. Think about that.
Gotham FC ended up third in the standings, tied on points with the Washington Spirit and benefited significantly from the midseason acquisition of forward Esther González.
The team’s depth and tactical strategies effectively neutralized most of their adversaries, culminating in a successful spring season capped with a Concacaf title, which also granted them a spot in FIFA’s new world club competitions.
6. 2024 Kansas City Current
Record (W-D-L): 16-7-3, 55 pts.
Trophies: NWSL x Liga MX Cup
The Kansas City Current featured a record-setting season, driven by league MVP Temwa Chawinga, who scored an impressive 20 goals, helping the team to a 15-game unbeaten streak and an astonishing total of 57 goals. Key player Lo’eau LaBonta had a standout year, serving as the team’s driving force, while Bia Zaneratto added valuable contributions, overcoming injury challenges.
The most significant change for the Current was the hiring of former USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski, who transformed the squad. After addressing their defensive challenges early in the season by revamping their backline and goalkeeper last summer, they set the stage for this year’s historic league dominance.
5. 2021 Portland Thorns
Record (W-D-L): 11-5-6, 38 pts.
Trophies: NWSL Shield, NWSL Challenge Cup, Women’s International Champions Cup
Throughout the 2015-2019 period, the Thorns had some excellent squads, with many recalling the 2021 team when discussing the franchise’s history.
Portland has always been a hub for exceptional talent. The 2021 team showcased a young Sophia Wilson (previously Smith), igniting defenses alongside seasoned athletes like Christine Sinclair, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Lindsey Heaps (known then as Horan).
With a record-low of 17 goals conceded over 24 games, the Thorns matched a league record that could soon be challenged by the Current this season. Additionally, they triumphed over Lyon in a friendly match during the Women’s International Champions Cup.
Despite stellar performances, Portland was unable to clinch the NWSL Championship, falling to the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 in the semifinals in what many deem one of the league’s most shocking results.
4. 2024 Washington Spirit
Record (W-D-L): 18-6-2, 56 pts
Trophies: None
Am I biased towards teams from 2024? Not necessarily; it’s simply the fact that the top four teams from last season were far superior to the rest of the competition, with a striking 16-point gap separating fourth from fifth place.
The Washington Spirit, spearheaded by Trinity Rodman, tied with the Orlando Pride for the most wins in a season, with 18. Both teams battled fiercely in the regular season and met again in the championship final.
Standout rookie midfielders Croix Bethune and Hal Hershfelt made a significant impact, with Bethune tying Tobin Heath‘s single-season assist record (10) in less time than a full season. In defense, Esme Morgan, Tara McKeown, and Casey Krueger provided a solid backbone. Meanwhile, Ashley Hatch enjoyed a stellar return, complemented by a breakout year from Ouleye Sarr, who shone before injuries hampered her season.
3. 2024 Orlando Pride
Record (W-D-L): 18-6-2, 60 pts.
Trophies: NWSL Championship, NWSL Shield
I firmly believe we may never see another team go unbeaten through the first 23 games of an NWSL season again, especially with the current salary cap structure. This leads many to argue the Pride deserve the top spot on this list.
Despite facing tough competition, Orlando’s playoff performance was equally remarkable, highlighted by Marta’s legendary goals propelling them past Kansas City in the semifinal, followed by a narrow victory over Washington in the championship final.
The Pride achieved a record 18 wins and 13 shutouts, both of which were subsequently surpassed by Kansas City this season. It truly felt like a season destined for greatness.
Placing Orlando at No. 3 isn’t diminishing their efforts; Pride supporters, could you have imagined seeing your team on this list just a year and a half ago? This ranking represents the challenge of comparing teams from various eras based on player quality.
2. 2014 Seattle Reign FC
Record (W-D-L): 16-6-2, 54 pts.
Trophies: NWSL Shield
Even after eleven years, I can confidently assert that Kim Little was the best player globally in 2014. (Strangely, she wasn’t even on the FIFA ballot, but that’s a topic for another day.) Little scored 16 goals as an attacking midfielder, backed by a strong midfield presence from Jess Fishlock and a defense led by Hope Solo that allowed just 20 goals in 24 matches.
Seattle boasted captains like Keelin Winters, defenders including Lauren Barnes, and offensive threats from both Beverly Yanez and Sydney Leroux, not to mention Megan Rapinoe and Nahomi Kawasumi making crucial contributions.
This Reign squad commenced the season with an impressive 16-game unbeaten streak (13 wins). Like their 2015 counterparts, they fell short in the NWSL Championship to a well-organized FC Kansas City team. Nonetheless, Seattle remains a strong contender for the top spot, but the comparison with our top pick is hard to overlook.
1. 2018 North Carolina Courage
Record (W-D-L): 17-6-1, 57 pts.
Trophies: NWSL Championship, NWSL Shield, Women’s International Champions Cup
Currently, there is no dispute that this represents the best team in NWSL history, at least until the Kansas City Current‘s 2025 squad can conclude their season and join the conversation.
Imagining a matchup between the 2018 Courage and the 2025 Current feels akin to envisioning a final in the Club World Cup. (Would Debinha get to play for both teams?)
The Courage recorded only a single loss across all competitions that year, with their only defeat occurring in June due to a stoppage-time goal from the Utah Royals. They clinched 17 victories in the regular season, defeating both Paris Saint-Germain and the reigning Lyon champions during the WICC (yes, they faced them in preseason), and completed their championship run with a dominant 3-0 final victory over the Thorns in Portland after defeating the Thorns again in the semifinal due to inclement weather.
This North Carolina squad featured an unprecedented synergy of players at their peaks, with even those who blossomed later in their careers, like midfielder McCall Zerboni. Lynn Williams (now Biyendolo) led the charge with 14 goals, just two behind Sam Kerr for the league’s top scorer. Midfielders Debinha and Crystal Dunn added eight goals apiece, with Jess McDonald contributing another seven. Defensively, Abby Erceg was a stalwart, while Abby Dahlkemper emerged as one of the world’s premier defenders with exceptional distribution during that time.
This team was simply unstoppable and remains one of the finest collections of talent the NWSL has ever assembled.