Photo Credit (L to R): Vincent Carchietta/Imagn, Mike Watters/Imagn, Rob Gray/Imagn
The NWSL is not a league devoid of superstars. Performances from Barbra Banda, Temwa Chawinga, Debinha, and more have set the league on fire in 2025, but what about the players not commanding the headlines? Using advanced metrics and underlying numbers as a guide, let’s take a look at the breakout players and storylines flying under the radar this season.
All data from American Soccer Analysis unless otherwise noted.
Trinity Armstrong (CB, San Diego Wave)
Trinity Armstrong has started and played 90 minutes in seven straight matches for the San Diego Wave. In that time, the Wave have lost once, conceded just six goals (in comparison to seven in the preceding four games), and moved from 9th to 4th in the NWSL standings. Armstrong has been instrumental in that turnaround, providing exceptional attacking output while maintaining a strong defensive presence; she’s quietly become one of, if not the best, dual-threat centerbacks in the league this season. Oh, and by the way, she’s a 17-year-old rookie.
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