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PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 3: Barbra Banda #22 of the Orlando Pride defended by Olivia Moultrie #13 of the Portland Thorns during a match between the Portland Thorns and Orlando Pride at Providence Park on May 3, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Al Sermeno/ISI Photos/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The second half of the 2026 NWSL season starts tonight, but before it does…
Who are the frontrunners in the MVP race?
MVP Candidates
1. Barbra Banda – Orlando Pride Forward
Who else? There has been no one more dominant and brilliant than Barbra Banda of the Orlando Pride.
Where on Earth would they be without her? Definitely not in the playoff or title contending picture.
11 goals and 1 assist to lead the league in goal contributions. And the scary part? She has three braces.
The only concern? Making sure the MVP frontrunner is 100%. She is listed as out in Orlando Pride’s first match after the international break against Angel City FC.
Olivia Moultrie – Portland Thorns Midfielder
The USWNT midfielder continues to take her stardom to a whole new level. After leading the Portland Thorns in 2025 with eight goals, she has been even better in 2026.
This season, she leads her team with five goals and four assists and is second in NWSL in goal contributions.
Moultrie is in the top 10 for goals, assists, chances created, xG, and more.
Temwa Chawinga – Kansas City Current Forward
Could the reigning back-to-back MVP make it three years in a row?
After coming back from injury, the KC Current megastar can’t stop scoring.
Mina Tanaka – Utah Royals Midfielder
The Utah Royals have become the best story in the NWSL, and one star is finally getting the recognition.
The superstar that doesn’t get enough recognition? Mina Tanaka.
She has combined with Cloé Lacasse for 15 goal contributions, leading the Utah Royals to a historic start.
THE DYNAMIC DUO STRIKES AGAIN️
Mina Tanaka and Cloé Lacasse link up to put Utah in the lead! pic.twitter.com/VRcjROddSi
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 30, 2026
Kennedy Wesley – San Diego Wave Defender
The San Diego Wave have lead the league with the least xG conceded and it has been led by USWNT defender, Kennedy Wesley.
She has already established herself as the best passing CB, but defensively she is also top duel-winner, and as elite as it gets.
Kate Del Fava – Utah Royal Defender
The Utah Royals have only allowed 10 goals on the season, third-fewest in the NWSL.
Kate Del Fava has led the backline and has become of the best defenders in the league.
She led the league in clearances in 2025, and now follows it up being in the top 10 for defensive contributions in 2026.
The strong play has her nearing a call-up with the USWNT.
Manaka Matsukubo – North Carolina Courage Midfielder
The undisputed 2025 NWSL Midfielder of the Year has taken her game to an even higher ceiling.
Manaka is near the top in almost every passing and attacking metric.
Her five goals, four assists, and nine total goal contributions are right up there with the best players in the league.
Ashley Sanchez – North Carolina Courage Forward
Guess who’s back? Ashley Sanchez!
She is tied for second in the league with seven goals.
Her resurgence alongside Manaka have given NC Courage one of the best one-two punches in the league and has them right in the thick of the playoff picture.
Honorable Mentions:
Janine Sonis – Denver Summit FC Defender
The Denver Summit FC captain will be up for Defender of the Year and rightfully so. However, she should be included in the MVP discussion too.
For a first-year clb to be where they are, someone needed to step up. Janine Sonis has scored four goals (two braces) and tallied an assist.
Could they become the third expansion side to make the playoffs?
Ann-Katrin Berger – Gotham FC Goalkeeper
The Gotham FC defense has conceded the fewest goals in the league, have the most clean sheets, and are on a historic pace.
Someone in defense deserved a nod, and especially with the amount of injuries.
AKB has been one of the elite keepers and continues to lead a backline that has seen so much adversity.
She has seven clean sheets in ten starts this season…
Dudinha – San Diego Wave Forward
The star playmaker was well on her way to NWSL Best XI and MVP consideration, before an injury derailed her entire season.
There’s no doubt Dudinha will be back stronger than ever in 2027.
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