Heading into weekend seven of the NWSL regular season, it’s time to look at early candidates for rookies who are already making an impact on their squads. Here’s seven rookies to keep an eye on as the season progresses (alphabetically):

Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign, Forward)

Contract: Signed through 2027

Dahlien has played in all six matches for the Reign this year, tallying 518 minutes and scoring the game-winning goal against cascadia rivals Portland last month. She’s had 14 tackles and six blocks defensively. Dahlien also leads the NWSL in carries into the penalty box (19) and shots on target per 90 (2.08). She also is second in the league on progressive passes recorded (46), and third with her shots on target percentage (75%). 

Caiya Hanks (Portland Thorns, Forward)

Contract: Signed through 2028 with a 2029 club option

Although only being on the pitch for just over 400 minutes in the Thorns seven matches, Hanks has played full 90’s in Portland’s last two matches and has scored one goal, earned one assist, and had 14 shot creating actions. She’s fourth in the NWSL in carries into the penalty area with 14 and also has 12 tackles, three interceptions, and four clearances. 

Taylor Huff (Bay FC, Midfielder)

Contract: Signed through 2027 with a 2028 mutual option

Huff has played in every minute of the regular season for Bay FC thus far, and in those 540 minutes has had 19 shot creating actions. She is tied for first in the NWSL for corner kicks taken (33), third in crosses (43), and 10th in her % of aerial duels won (73.3%). On the other side of the ball she’s also had five interceptions and five clearances. 

Jayden Perry (Portland Thorns, Defender)

Contract: Signed through 2025

Perry has started and played full 90’s for five of the Thorns’ seven matches with two goals (both penalty kicks including a late stoppage time game-tying goal last weekend), one assist, and five shot creating actions. She has the third highest passing accuracy for the Thorns among players who have at least 10 minutes of playing time, six blocks, and 24 clearances. Perry is second in the NWSL for PK’s made this season – and the only defender on that list. 

Lilly Reale (Gotham FC, Defender)

Contract: Signed through 2027

Reale has played in all seven of Gotham’s matches this season, racking up over 533 minutes on the pitch in the process, scoring one goal, earning one assist and seven shot creating actions. Reale leads the NWSL in tackles (35), crosses into the penalty area (7), and is second in passes into the penalty area (13). She also has had eight blocks, seven interceptions, and 14 clearances thus far this season. 

Sarah Schupansky (Gotham FC, Forward)

Contract: Signed through 2026 with a 2027 club option

Schupansky has tallied 532 minutes for Gotham across their seven matches this season, and in the process has scored one goal, earned two assists, and had 14 shot creating actions. She’s currently third in the NWSL in fouls drawn (17), and second in the league in crosses (46). 

Riley Tiernan (Angel City, Forward)

Contract: Signed through 2026 with a 2027 club option

Tiernan has cleared the 500 minutes played benchmark in Angel City’s first six matches, scoring three goals, earning one assist, and having 14 shot creating actions. Defensively, she’s had eight blocks, four interceptions, and four clearances. She is tied in third across the league in goals scored (3), and second in (Goals - xG) at 2.3. 

 

Honorable Mentions: 

Maggie Graham (Houston Dash, Midfielder)

Macey Hodge (Angel City, Midfielder)

Karlie Lema (Bay FC, Forward)