NWSL Team of the Week: Sam Coffey leads Portland Thorns; Savy King named honorary captain after heart surgery

As the 2025 NWSL season progresses past the quarter mark and approaches the halfway point, competition is intensifying after Week 9 fixtures. This means the Attacking Third team of the week is here to highlight the standout performances from across the league`s matches.

Each week throughout the NWSL campaign, analysts from Attacking Third select the Best XI players and a coach based on their notable contributions over the weekend. With the season well underway, competitive parity is evident, bringing new faces to the team of the week alongside some repeat selections.

Here is a look at the Best XI for Week 9:

Goalkeeper: Lorena (Kansas City Current)

The Brazilian goalkeeper, a key offseason signing for Kansas City, has provided reliable presence in goal through nine matches. Lorena leads the league with five shutouts, securing her latest clean sheet against a challenging Orlando Pride attack featuring Barbra Banda and Marta. She made four saves on 11 shots faced, helping Kansas City maintain their first-place position.

Defender: Trinity Armstrong (San Diego Wave)

Rookie defender Trinity Armstrong continues to impress on San Diego`s backline. In Week 9, she delivered another strong performance, quickly establishing chemistry with veteran Kristen McNabb while her centerback partner Kennedy Wesley was suspended. The 17-year-old was effective in duels, leading the team with a 75% success rate, and contributed to shutting out Gotham FC.

Defender: Phoebe McClernon (Seattle Reign)

As Seattle Reign coach Laura Harvey refines the team`s defensive strategies, Phoebe McClernon is becoming a prominent figure on the back line. She is adept at anticipating and reading dangerous attacks by covering substantial ground with intelligent positioning. McClernon led Reign defenders in recoveries with two.

Defender: Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit)

Some players need a full match to make their mark, while others only need a half. Casey Krueger delivered a relentless performance for the Washington Spirit during a wild six-goal draw against Utah. Her halftime substitution significantly shifted the match dynamic, as the outside back constantly pushed forward in attack and disrupted Utah`s efforts. Scoring the dramatic equalizer at the end capped off a chaotic but impactful performance.

Defender: Kayla Sharples (Kansas City Current)

Kayla Sharples earns her spot back on the Best XI after another solid defensive showing for Kansas City. She was strong in challenges, effective in marking opponents, and led the team with five clearances. Sharples played a key role in keeping the backline organized, particularly after an injury forced an early substitution for Alana Cook.

Midfielder: CeCe Kizer (Utah Royals FC)

CeCe Kizer showcased some vintage form in the thrilling match against the Spirit. She not only scored a goal for the Royals but also served as a catalyst for the game`s chaos, jumping and heading the ball to force an own goal. That sequence contributed to five goals being scored in a remarkable 36-minute period.

Midfielder: Denise O`Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)

North Carolina Courage`s Irish international, Denise O`Sullivan, makes her third consecutive appearance on the Best XI. She was once again a dominant force in midfield, acting as both an enforcer and a connector. O`Sullivan effectively denied the opposition any control of the central third and provided an assist on Manaka Matsukubo`s opening goal.

Midfielder: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns)

The Portland Thorns continue to impress, largely driven by Sam Coffey from defensive midfield. Coffey is consistently influential in setting the team`s tempo. While the Thorns see different goal scorers step up each week, Coffey joined the scoring ranks in Week 9 by converting a penalty and also provided an assist on Pietra Tordin`s goal.

Forward: Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign)

The league`s rookie class continues to deliver, and Maddie Dahlien is making it increasingly difficult for opposing defenders to contain her in the final third. She is fearless in taking on defenders and is effective in counterpressing and tracking back while also generating attacking opportunities. Dahlien was responsible for three of Seattle`s four total shot attempts.

Forward: Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage)

North Carolina Courage`s Japan international, Manaka Matsukubo, finally got on the scoreboard this season with a breakout two-goal performance. This could prove to be a turning point for the third-year, 20-year-old forward. She led her team with five total shots and created two scoring chances against Chicago.

Forward: Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns)

Portland Thorns rookie Pietra Tordin earns her first Best XI honors after scoring her first NWSL goal. She demonstrated her skill with a clever flick on the ball and a sharp first touch, shaking off her defender before turning to take her shot. Her goal extended the Thorns` lead in a match that saw them extend their unbeaten streak to five games.

Coach: Albertin Montoya (Bay FC)

Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya is recognized for successfully changing tactics and player rotation. This added unpredictability was instrumental in securing a significant victory for a team that had not won in three weeks. The challenge now is to build consistency moving forward.

Captain: Savy King (Angel City FC)

Angel City FC defender Savy King is named honorary captain for Week 9. Following her emergency heart surgery, the thoughts of the entire league were with her. The 20-year-old is now recovering at home. Her situation served as a poignant reminder for players and teams across the league that some moments are truly bigger than soccer.