The National Women’s Soccer League has produced exceptional talent since its establishment in 2012, creating a legacy built on record-breaking performances and championship success.
Identifying the best nwsl players of all time requires analyzing statistical dominance, longevity, championship contributions, and impact on the league’s evolution.
This ranking considers all-time leaders in goals, assists, appearances, shutouts, and individual awards across multiple seasons.
The women best nwsl players of all time have established benchmarks that define excellence in American professional women’s soccer.
From legendary goalscorers to defensive stalwarts and elite goalkeepers, these players shaped the NWSL’s competitive landscape.
Best NWSL Players of All-Time
Their achievements transcend statistics, influencing the league’s growth and establishing standards for future generations of professional players.
Top 10 Best NWSL Players of All-Time
The top 10 best nwsl players of all time represent diverse positions and playing styles. These players dominated statistical categories while delivering championship performances consistently.
| Rank | Player | Position | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Megan Rapinoe | Midfielder/Winger | 102 | 47 |
| 9 | McCall Zerboni | Midfielder | 88 | 10+ |
| 8 | Alex Morgan | Striker | 145 | 67 |
| 7 | Jess Fishlock | Midfielder | 99+ | 24+ |
| 6 | Lauren Barnes | Defender | 200+ | 2 |
| 5 | Christine Sinclair | Forward | 164 | 66 |
| 4 | Ashlyn Harris | Goalkeeper | 130 | – |
| 3 | Nicole Barnhart | Goalkeeper | 141 | – |
| 2 | Jessica McDonald | Forward | 178 | 54 |
| 1 | Sam Kerr | Forward | 124 | 77 |
All Best Players in NWSL History Ranked
10. Megan Rapinoe
Cultural icon and elite winger with championship pedigree. Rapinoe’s creative playmaking and goal-scoring ability defined Seattle Reign’s success across multiple seasons.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midfielder/Winger | 102 | 47 | Seattle Reign | NWSL Shield (2014, 2015, 2022), Best XI (2018) |
9. McCall Zerboni
Defensive midfielder with exceptional coverage ability and possession dominance. Her presence in midfield battles established North Carolina Courage’s championship foundation during their dynasty years.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midfielder | 88 | 10+ | North Carolina Courage, Western New York Flash | NWSL Championship (2016, 2018, 2019), NWSL Shield (2017, 2018, 2019), Best XI (2017, 2018) |
8. Alex Morgan
Elite striker with global recognition and consistent goal production. Morgan’s scoring ability across multiple NWSL clubs demonstrated adaptability while maintaining elite performance standards, ranking among the nwsl stats all-time leaders.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striker | 145 | 67 | Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave | NWSL Championship (2013), Best XI (2022), Golden Boot (2022) |
7. Jess Fishlock
Welsh midfielder with exceptional longevity and playmaking vision. Fishlock’s technical ability and tactical intelligence made her OL Reign’s creative engine throughout multiple successful campaigns.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midfielder | 99+ | 24+ | OL Reign | NWSL Shield (2014, 2015, 2022), MVP (2021), Best XI (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021) |
6. Lauren Barnes
All-time appearance leader with exceptional defensive positioning and play-building ability. Barnes established defensive consistency standards while becoming the league’s most durable player across multiple seasons.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defender | 200+ | 2 | OL Reign | NWSL Shield (2014, 2015, 2022), Defender of the Year (2016), Best XI (2015, 2016) |
5. Christine Sinclair
Canadian legend with prolific scoring record and championship success. Sinclair’s goal-scoring consistency helped Portland Thorns become one of the greatest nwsl teams of all time with three championship titles.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | 164 | 66 | Portland Thorns | NWSL Shield (2016, 2021), NWSL Championship (2013, 2017, 2022) |
4. Ashlyn Harris
Elite goalkeeper with exceptional save production and championship experience. Harris holds the NWSL all-time saves record while providing reliable shot-stopping throughout her career.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | 130 | – | Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit | Goalkeeper of the Year (2016), Best XI (2016) |
3. Nicole Barnhart
All-time shutout leader with dominant defensive performances. Barnhart’s 52 career shutouts established a benchmark unlikely to be surpassed, anchoring FC Kansas City’s championship runs.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | 141 | – | FC Kansas City | NWSL Championship (2014, 2015), Goalkeeper of the Year (2013) |
2. Jessica McDonald
Complete forward ranking in multiple all-time statistical categories. McDonald’s versatility and consistency placed her in top-10 lists for appearances, goals, assists, and playoff performances.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | 178 | 54 | North Carolina Courage, Western New York Flash | NWSL Shield (2017, 2018, 2019), NWSL Championship (2016, 2018, 2019), Best XI (2016) |
1. Sam Kerr
Australia’s superstar forward and undisputed leader among nwsl top scorers all-time. Kerr’s 77 goals in 124 appearances established a scoring rate unmatched in league history across three different clubs.
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Notable Teams | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | 124 | 77 | Western New York Flash, Sky Blue FC, Chicago Red Stars | NWSL Shield (2013), Golden Boot (2017, 2018, 2019), MVP (2017, 2019), Best XI (2017, 2018, 2019) |
Conclusion:
The best nwsl players of all time established standards through statistical dominance, championship success, and sustained excellence across multiple seasons.
Their achievements created the foundation for the league’s growth and established benchmarks for future generations.
From Sam Kerr’s scoring records to Lauren Barnes’s durability and Nicole Barnhart’s defensive dominance, these players defined excellence across all positions.
Their legacies extend beyond statistics, influencing the league’s competitive evolution and global recognition.
- Legacy Impact: These players established records that define NWSL excellence. Their achievements created the foundation for the league’s competitive identity and global reputation.
- Record Dominance: Statistical categories remain dominated by these players years after their peak performances. Future players face significant challenges surpassing established benchmarks in goals, appearances, and shutouts.
- Future Rankings (Best NWSL players 2026): The best nwsl players of all time 2026 rankings will evolve as current stars like Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman continue developing their careers. Emerging talent may challenge historical records over the next decade.
- Gaming & Cultural Influence (Best NWSL players FC 26): Cultural impact extends beyond the field, with players featured in FIFA games and popular media. The best nwsl players fc 26 representation reflects the league’s growing global recognition. Note that men best nwsl players of all time is not applicable, as NWSL is exclusively a women’s professional league.
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