The Crunch Time Canvas: NWSL Week 22’s Masterpieces of Performance

The Utah Royals, refusing to concede an inch in their quest, owe a significant debt to Mia Justus. Her performance between the sticks was a masterclass in resilience, delivering a clean sheet through a series of crucial saves. One might say she`s a connoisseur of defiance, particularly when facing down potential upsets.

Continuing the Royals` defiant stand, Janni Thomsen graced the Team of the Week for the second consecutive time. Back-to-back goals from a defender suggest a player who misunderstands the conventional role, but embraces it with a flair for the spectacular from distance. Some players merely defend; Thomsen clearly believes in contributing to the scoresheet with equal vigor.

While Gotham FC`s fullbacks were busy exploring the attacking third, Emily Sonnett held the defensive fort with unwavering resolve. Her role as a center-back becomes increasingly critical as Gotham`s pressing tactics intensify. With a team-leading six recoveries among defenders, Sonnett isn`t just part of the defense; she`s its anchor, its strategic linchpin, and a considerable headache for opposing forwards.

Seattle Reign FC`s potential x-factor lies in their adaptability, a trait heavily reliant on dependable personnel. Phoebe McClernon embodies this reliability. Her leadership and consistent form on the backline have been a constant this season, evident in her five recoveries and nine duels won – statistics that speak volumes about her commanding presence and foundational importance.

For Racing Louisville, Janine Sonis finally saw her individual performance perfectly align with a much-needed team result in Week 22. Her developing chemistry with Emma Sears on the flank has created promising attacking sequences, while her disciplined recovery play allows Sears to push forward, presenting a dual threat that will undoubtedly challenge future opponents.

As the Washington Spirit`s preferred starting lineup solidifies, Croix Bethune is making the art of impact creation look almost effortless. Her uncanny ability to “thread the needle” through defensive lines, regardless of who`s in the box, is less about luck and more about a profound understanding of space and timing. She`s less a player, more a precision instrument.

Witnessing Rose Lavelle`s consecutive postseason masterclasses has been a privilege, and this season she`s charting a similar course. A goal and an assist in Week 22 served as a potent, if somewhat redundant, reminder of her elite status. For Lavelle, “impressive” seems to be the default setting, not an occasional burst.

The Kansas City Current continue their relentless march through the season, and veteran midfielder Lo`eau LaBonta maintains her composure from the penalty spot. Her 14th career penalty conversion not only bolstered her team but also saw her draw level with Megan Rapinoe – a feat that quietly underscores her consistent, high-pressure effectiveness.

A healthy Gotham FC roster is a formidable prospect for any opponent, and Midge Purce`s return to full fitness is a significant piece of that puzzle. Stringing together three consecutive 90-minute performances, capped by a crucial Week 22 goal, solidifies her place among the week`s elite. Her resurgence is less a return and more a reassertion of dominance.

Mexican international Jacqueline Ovalle has wasted precisely zero time making her presence felt for the Orlando Pride. After an assist last week, she found the back of the net this week, demonstrating a rapid acclimatization to the NWSL`s pace and an immediate impact on the scoresheet. Some players settle in; Ovalle seems to have simply arrived.

While not quite the ten-minute frenzy of Ludmila`s August hat-trick, Gift Monday`s hat-trick for the Washington Spirit was a blistering display of first-half dominance. Three goals within 18 minutes (18th, 21st, and 36th) speak volumes about her predatory instinct. To achieve such a feat with the playoffs still on the horizon suggests a player not just in form, but in a frighteningly productive rhythm.

Bev Yanez of Racing Louisville orchestrated a vital three points in Week 22, snapping a three-game losing streak. Her willingness to make crucial adjustments, such as moving Janine Sonis to left-back after an injury to Lauren Milliet and trusting rookie Sarah Webber with a start, underscores a pragmatic approach to coaching. A first playoff appearance remains a tangible goal, fueled by such astute decision-making.

While the Chicago Stars FC may have been the first team to officially exit the 2025 postseason race, their journey was anything but forgettable. An honorary captainship is well-deserved for a team that delivered a six-game unbeaten streak, witnessed Ludmila`s league-record hat-trick (earning her August Player of the Month), and saw Alyssa Naeher set a new league saves record. They even managed to snap first-place Kansas City`s shutout streak. Their midseason run, a blend of grit and unexpected brilliance, serves as a poignant reminder that in the NWSL, even the final position doesn`t diminish the intensity of the fight. We eagerly await their next chapter, Chicago.