Top 10 Best NWSL Players of All-Time

One of the most competitive and popular female soccer leagues in the world is the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Launched in 2012, the league has hosted many legends, local and foreign.

Here’s the challenge, can you name any? If not, check out our list of the top 10 best NWSL players of all time. Here’s a hint – these players are all-time NWSL stats leaders, such as goals, assists, shutouts, and all.

Let’s start the countdown.

10. Megan Rapinoe

Position: Midfielder, Winger

Appearances: 102

Goals: 47

Notable Teams: Seattle Reign

Honors: NWSL Shield (2014, 2015, 2022), NWSL Best XI (2018)

Rapinoe had an amazing youth career before joining the University of Portland’s soccer program from 2005 to 2008. There, she helped the Portland Pilots to an undefeated season in 2005 and received call-ups to play for US Women’s Under-19 team.

She later played for the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer League and then went to play in Australia and France. She played with Olympique Lyonnais in France and appeared in UEFA Women’s Champions League.

She returned to the US to play in the newly established NWSL and has been with Seattle Reign ever since. Over the seasons, she compiled over 102 appearances, scoring 47 goals. She has announced that she will retire after the end of the 2023 season.

Megan Rapinoe is also known for her presence in popular culture. She has been featured in many TV shows, ads and magazines. She also has her line of limited edition fashion clothing, in partnership with Nike called ‘Victory Redefined.’

9. McCall Zerboni

Position: Midfielder

Appearances: 88

Goals: 188

Notable Teams: North Carolina Courage, Western New York Flash

Honors: NWSL Championship (2016, 2018, 2019), NWSL Shield (2017, 2018, 2019), NWSL Best XI (2017, 2018)

Zerboni grew up in California, attended UCLA, and was a key player for the UCLA Blues’ women’s soccer team from 2005 to 2009. She won MVP in 2008. She turned pro in 2009, signing with the Los Angeles Sol, and plays in the now-defunct WPS league.

When the league folded, Zerboni joined the NWSL instead, this time with Western New York Flash. Here, she picked up 46 appearances, with 4 goals. After bouncing around several teams over the next few seasons, she finally found stability with the North Carolina Courage.

It was also a fruitful partnership, with her playing 69 games and scoring 6 goals. She will soon become the player with the most NWSL appearances of all time, as she is now 2nd, only behind Lauren Barnes.

As a midfielder, Zerboni is known for her ability to cover, and establish a strong presence in the middle of the field. She could be depended on to be in the thick of the action, fighting for possession. Once she picked up the ball, she would launch an attack with a simple pass.

8. Alex Morgan

Position: Striker

Appearances: 145

Goals: 67

Notable Teams: Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave

Honors: NWSL Championship (2013), NWSL Best XI (2022), NWSL Golden Boot (2022)

Probably one of the most recognizable faces in the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) and NWSL, Morgan played youth and collegiate soccer in California. She finished as the third-highest goalscorer and points collected at all time with California Golden Bears.

Morgan played with many NWSL teams over the years. Spells with Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, and San Diego Wave were particularly fruitful, with many goals scored. She has recently been on a roll with the San Diego Wave, scoring 20 goals in 28 appearances.

Her career with the USWNT is much more prominent. She has so far recorded over 211 appearances, with 121 goals scored. She also picked up 2 World Cups (2015, 2019) and an Olympic gold medal (2012).

Alex Morgan is also one of the few USWNT players whose popularity transcended the sport, and into popular culture. Many non-soccer fans would know who she was, thanks to her appearance in Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” video, and many TV shows.

7. Jess Fishlock

Position: Midfielder

Appearances: 99

Goals: 24

Notable Teams: OL Reign

Honors: NWSL Shield (2014, 2015, 2022), NWSL Most Valuable Player (2021), NSWL Best XI (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021)

Fishlock is Welsh by nationality, making her career progress in soccer different from American players. She started with Cardiff City Ladies FC at 7 and later debuted with the senior team aged 16. In three seasons, she became the club’s record goalscorer.

That success led to playing stints in the Netherlands (AZ Alkmaar), England (Bristol Academy), and Australia (Melbourne Victory). However, it was during her time with OL Reign that she truly rocked the NWSL.

In over 163 appearances, she scored 38 goals, putting her in the top 10 NWSL goalscorers of all time. She is also in the NWSL all-time top 10 for most assists, appearances, and minutes played.

Aside from playing, Fishlock also has engaged in coaching work, as early as 2012. She has coached in many capacities with Melbourne FC, Cardiff City Ladies, and has worked under coaches such as Patrick Kisnorbo, and Jamie Sherwood.

6. Lauren Barnes

Position: Defender

Appearances: 200

Goals: 2

Notable Teams: OL Reign

Honors: NWSL Shield (2014, 2015, 2022), NWSL Defender Of The Year (2016), NWSL Best XI (2015, 2016)

Barnes made the list for one major reason – She is the leading NWSL player in appearances of all time. Coupled with the fact that she is still active and playing, she could add to the numbers well.

Barnes was part of the UCLA Bruins soccer program from 2007 to 2010. In her senior year, she led the defense to surrender less than a goal a game, at 0.84 goals per game. She played briefly in the WPS before signing with the OL Reign in 2013.

She has remained with the club ever since. Over time, she recorded over 200 appearances, the highest in NWSL history. She also won the NWSL Shield three times (2014, 2015, 2022) and the Defender of The Year award in 2016.

Barnes is well known for her excellent positioning, able to be at the perfect place at the right time to make great tackles, and rob possession from the opposing teammate. She is also known for her ability to help build plays from the bottom, like a central defensive midfielder.

5. Christine Sinclair

Position: Forward

Appearances: 164

Goals: 66

Notable Teams: Portland Thorns

Honors: NWSL Shield (2016, 2021), NWSL Championship (2013, 2017, 2022)

Christine Sinclair attended the University of Portland and immediately made an impact. As a freshman, she scored 23 goals and 8 assists. She totaled over 94 appearances, scoring 110 goals and 23 assists. That’s more than a goal every game.

Sinclair played in several now-defunct US leagues, such as the W-League, and WPS, before joining the NWSL with the Portland Thorns in 2013. She has been with the team ever since.

She won the NWSL Championship three times with the team (2013, 2017, 2022.) Sinclair is also second in NWSL’s all-time goalscorer list. She is 17 goals behind Sam Kerr but should be able to close it down since Kerr is currently not playing in NWSL.

A Canadian, Sinclair has also played regularly with the Canadian Women’s National Team since 2000. Since then, she has picked up over 326 caps, scoring 190 goals. She is widely regarded as Canada’s greatest women’s soccer player of all time.

4. Ashlyn Harris

Position: Goalkeeper

Appearances: 130

Goals: –

Notable Teams: Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit

Honors: NWSL Goalkeeper Of The Year (2016), NWSL Best XI (2016)

Harris started playing soccer at 14 and later joined the University of North Carolina to play with the Tar Heels. A series of injuries disrupted her college career. Still, when she finally got healthy, she amassed 43-4-3 record-keeping goals for the Tar Heels.

She turned professional after graduating and bounced around several clubs before signing with the Washington Spirit. She later went on loan to Europe before rejoining the Orlando Pride in 2016.

We listed Ashlyn Harris on the list because she is the goalkeeper with the most saves in NWSL history. As of October 2, 2022, she recorded over 518 saves and should continue to add to it as she is still an active player.

Harris was also featured along with her USWNT teammates in the video game FIFA, in the 2016 edition. This was also the first time women players were featured in the game.

3. Nicole Barnhart

Position: Goalkeeper

Appearances: 141

Goals: –

Notable Teams: FC Kansas City

Honors: NWSL Championship (2014, 2015), NWSL Goalkeeper Of The Year (2013)

Nicole Barnhart played soccer in high school for the boy’s team. She did this both as a goalkeeper and as an outfield player. She later enrolled with Stanford and currently holds the Stanford women’s record for lowest career goals-against average, at 0.41.

After graduating, she turned pro and was allocated to FC Gold Pride for the inaugural season of the WPS. When WPS folded, she joined FC Kansas City, where she made her mark in the NWSL.

Her stellar performance between the sticks helped FC Kansas City to win two NWSL championships in 2014 and 2015. She currently holds the all-time record for shutouts, with 52 from 141 appearances.

This record will not be surpassed anytime soon, as she is well ahead of the 2nd placed Adrianna French at 41. She is also an active player, meaning she can continue to improve on the record.

2. Jessica McDonald

Position: Forward

Appearances: 178

Goals: 54

Notable Teams: North Carolina Courage, Western New York Flash

Honors: NWSL Shield (2017, 2018, 2019), NWSL Championship (2016, 2018, 2019), NWSL Best XI (2016)

Jessica McDonald made the list because she is in the NWSL’s all-time top-10 list. These include appearances, minutes played, goals, assists, and playoff performances. She certainly set a high bar for other players in NWSL to follow.

She played collegiate soccer with Phoenix College before transferring to North Carolina in 2008. Despite playing only 75% of the Tar Heels’ games in her first year, she led the squad in assists, showing her impact. Her team won the national championship that year too.

McDonald bounced around many NWSL clubs as a pro before settling in the North Carolina Courage. There, she played 84 games, scoring 24 goals. She has also played with the USWNT, with 19 caps and 4 goals recorded.

So far, she has won the NWSL Championship 3 times, in 2016, 2018, and 2019. She should continue to improve on her record, as she should still have some years of playing ahead.

1. Sam Kerr

Position: Forward

Appearances: 124

Goals: 77

Notable Teams: Western New York Flash, Sky Blue FC, Chicago Red Stars

Honors: NWSL Shield (2013), NWSL Golden Boot (2017, 2018, 2019), NWSL Most Valuable Player (2017, 2019), NWSL Best XI (2017, 2018, 2019)

An Australian, Sam Kerr was born into a family of athletes and played Australian Rules Football until she was 12 when she switched to soccer. She was so good at it, at age 15, she debuted in the Australian W-league and national Under-17 team.

She later joined the NWSL after several seasons playing in Australia. She alternates between playing in her native Australia or the NWSL, with her time with Western New York Flash, Sky Blue FC, and Chicago Red Stars very productive.

She remains the top goalscorer in NWSL’s history, with 77 goals. The record is well ahead of Christine Sinclair’s 60. She was able to achieve this record, despite not playing as frequently in the league.

However, Kerr has only finished runners-up in NWSL twice, in 2013 and 2019. She currently plays in England with the Chelsea Ladies team. She is also a regular Australian women’s team player, with 122 caps and 63 goals.