Credit: David Banks | Imagn Images
Here’s a look at some stats and minutiae following Week 20 of the 2026 NWSL season. We’ll keep evolving this space every week to try and keep you informed. Have an idea or an addition? Hit me @thedanlauletta on Bsky or X.
Before we get into it, here is a look at how the table looks as we hit the other side of Labor Day.
All statistics reference regular season games only except where noted.
Player stats
Kaleigh Kurtz has now played 136 consecutive regular season matches and 12,202 consecutive minutes. Both are league records. The streaks began June 26, 2021 while playing for the Courage. (The unrounded number is due to a rain-shortened match in 2023.)
Debuts: There were 3 NWSL debuts over the weekend, none quite like Itala Gemelli who was pressed into service when Elizabeth Ball took an injury during warmups. Gemelli replaced Ball in the starting lineup and played all 90 minutes in the Current’s 2-1 win over Bay FC. Elsewhere, Sanne Lekven replaced Hailie Mace in the 78th minute of the Pride’s 3-1 win over Houston and went in the book with a yellow card. And for the Courage, Bia Gomes had the luxury of a 5-0 lead when she replaced Chioma Okafor in the 70th minute. The Courage eventually beat the Stars 6-0.
Yolanda Thomas became the 79th head coach to be on the sideline for an NWSL regular season match. She is the 72nd to register a win.
Croix Bethune assisted on the Current’s game-winner on Friday. It was her 10th assist of the season, tying the single-season NWSL record. Tobin Heath set the mark in 2016. Bethune equaled it in 2024. Cloé Lacasse equaled it a week ago.
Ashley Sanchez’s first career hat trick on Sunday brought her season total to 18. That is more than any American player in a single NWSL season. She entered the week tied with Crystal Dunn (2015) and Alex Morgan (2022). The league record is 20, by Temwa Chawinga in 2024.
Barbra Banda scored for the Pride and is on 14 goals. She is 4 behind Sanchez in the Golden Boot race.
The 10/10 watch continues. No player has ever scored 10 goals and added 10 assists in the same NWSL season. The only player on 10/10 watch to add to their total over the weekend was Trinity Rodman whose assist brings her to 10G/6A. Stalling were Cloé Lacasse at 7G/10A, Pietra Tordin at 7G/9A, and Emma Sears at 7G/5A.
One week after Kailen Sheridan became the first NWSL goalkeeper to record two regular season assists, Mandy McGlynn joined her with her long ball to Kiana Palacios in the Royals’ loss to the Legacy.
Team stats
Kate Del Fava remains minute-perfect for the Royals having played all 6,750 over 75 games since the team launched in 2024. Those are the longest streaks from the start of any expansion team. Overall she has played 7,200 consecutive minutes, now the second-longest streak in league history.
Gotham’s 10-game unbeaten streak ended with a 3-0 loss in Denver on Sunday. The streak set a new club record.
The Chicago Stars established multiple futility records on Sunday. It marked the first time a team has conceded 6 goals in back-to-back games. The total of 12 over two games is also a first. The Stars were shut out of the 16th time this season, another new NWSL record. The 2018 Washington Spirit were also held off the scoreboard 15 times.
Ally Lemos played in her 50th consecutive match for the Pride on Sunday. The club record is 56 by Kerry Abello.
The Washington Spirit won in Portland for the first time on Sunday. They had been 0-9-5 at Providence Park dating to their first meeting on May 19, 2013. There is a 10th Spirit loss away to the Thorns that was the result of a forfeit in 2021.
