Mother's Day weekend in the NWSL delivered everything we love about the beautiful game: hat-tricks, stunning upsets, and rock-solid clean sheets. It's this incredible variety that makes the 2026 regular season truly special. As the season heats up, players across every club are stepping up their game, making it harder than ever to pick just eleven standouts for our Team of the Week.

But we love a challenge. The Attacking Third crew is back for a second season, bringing you our weekly NWSL Team of the Week. After every round of fixtures, our analysts select the best XI, a head coach, and an honorary captain based on weekend performances. Whether it's a dominant win, a hard-fought draw, or a game filled with unforgettable moments, this is our chance to shine a spotlight on the players who truly made a difference.

Let's dive into the stats, analysis, and highlights you might have missed. Leading the charge, the Boston Legacy backline is firing on all cylinders, and goalkeeper Casey Murphy is the anchor keeping everything organized. She came up with six massive saves against Gotham FC, including a crucial stop that defender Jorelyn Carabali cleared off the line. It was a game of inches, and Boston won every single one of them.

Out in San Diego, rookie fullback Mimi Van Zanten is quietly building an impressive highlight reel. This week, she added her first-ever NWSL goal to the collection, and it's one she'll never forget. Take a bow, Mimi—that's a moment to cherish.

With a grueling 30-game season ahead, managing congested matchweeks is key. Utah Royals FC defender Kate Del Fava is making it look effortless, putting in extra shifts in front of goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn. Her relentless effort helped the Royals secure two clean sheets this week, proving that defense wins championships.

And let's talk about Janine Sonis. After a mid-season switch from forward to fullback last year in Louisville, she's somehow elevated her game even further with Denver. She's locking down the flanks and getting involved in the attack, showing that versatility and grit are alive and well in the NWSL. The Denver Summit is rising to the occasion, and Sonis is a big reason why.