NWSL team of the week: Barbra Banda, Temwa Chawinga start off dominating for Orlando Pride, K.C. Current

This weekend, the National Women’s Soccer League season 2025 roared to life with a series of competitions that delivered victories, draws and a clear message: the pleasure has just begun. Four games during the opening weekend ended in 1-1 draw and showing off with a combination of the parity of the competition and perhaps some rust for the season, but there were some teams that separated themselves throughout the weekend.

Defending NWSL champions Orlando Pride set the tone with a six-purpose victory over Chicago Stars FC thanks to a Brace from Barbra Banda, while the NWSL Challenge Cup winners of 2025 Washington Spirit took a 2-1 win against Housston Dash. Kansas City Current picked up all three points with a 3-1 win over Portland Thorns FC and 2024 Golden Boat winner Temwa Chawinga scored her first goal of the new year.

It is just one of the season, but fans can select NWSL Regular seasonal competitions on CBS platforms, including CBS, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+and CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Between the lines, individual versions helped teams to write down their first points of the season. So who fell on week one? View our best XI:

Ahead

Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride): The Zambia International scored two goals and registered an assist during their public victory over Chicago and was a constant factor and on the ball. Banda was effective in ball control and maneuvering, even when it is marked or double team. She led the team in total shots (six), attempts on Doel (four) and successful dribbles (two).

Love for father (current Kansas City): The Golden Boot winner of 2024 came on a burning start on the opening day. She scored a goal for two minutes in the game and was a binding force in the attack during the game or when she does not live the ball back. Chawinga led the team in completed passes to the last third (13) and recovery (11).

Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit): The old Spirit Forward came on the score sheet when she provided the game winner against the dashboard. She led the team in total shots (four), but it was her off -ball efforts that helped her with other attackers in the competition during the opening weekend. Hatch was active in pressure moments, efficiently in winning the ball and led the schedule in recovery (seven).

Midfielders

Debinha (current Kansas City): She worked higher on the top line and was relentless on the opening day, functioning as a collaborative maker, who arranged the ball in space. She led the power created in opportunities (7) and Tackles Won (3). Her efforts have paid off with an assist for the Kawinga opening goal and she scored the third goal of Kansas City.

Angelina (Orlando Pride): The Brazilian international continued where she had gone in 2024. She was dominant in directing Tempo, constantly hunting for the ball, and led the group in recovery (7).

Taylor Flint (Racing Louisville FC): The central midfielder brought the crunch on the opening day and made things difficult to disrupt possession for the opposition. When she won the ball back, she often tried to continue the ball. She led Louisville in Tackles won (three) and became second with completed passes in the last third (five).

Defenders

Casey Kroegeer (Washington Spirit): The Spirit was able to handle a promising dash attack thanks to some loyal loyal on the backline. Krueger helped the promising transitions by warding the opposition while integrating herself in attacking moments. She led the line -up in successful dribbles (three) and became second in completed fits in the attacking third (three).

Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC): A healthy Davidson means that Gotham’s backline still has a stingy season. She led the group in tackles won (three) and the centerback was effective in managing the line of defense when hardening attacks. She was often able to connect the long pass for attacking sequences and even recorded a shot attempt.

Rebeca Bernal (Washington Spirit): Fresh from her Challenge Cup debut, the Mexican international earned a starting role for the mind on the backline for the opening day. She was one of the top five of the game in Tackles won (two) and immediately adapted to the Centerback position when she came up with an enormous approval early in the game.

Jess Carter (NJ / NY Gotham FC): The fullback included a lot of land for Gotham and was constantly involved in defense and attacking counters. Carter was one of the top five of the team in completed fits in the last third (nine), Schoten (one), recovery (four) and more.

Goalkeeper

Anna Moorehouse (Orlando Pride): The English international is the only keeper who registers a clean magazine from the opening weekend. She faced eight shots, seven in the box, with two on goal. Sometimes the biggest challenge comes in a game to ensure that the mentalitly is called in at all times.