During the 2024-25 NWSL offseason there were 34 players whose teams renegotiated contract extensions. Here’s the top five most impactful players extended that would’ve become free agents at the end of the season (alphabetically):

Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign, Forward)

Previous contract: through 2025
New contract: through 2027

In December, Biyendolo (along with goalkeeper Cassie Miller) was traded to Seattle from Gotham for midfielder Jaelin Howell, an international roster spot, and $70,000 in allocation money. Although the four time NWSL Championship winner missed the opening three matches recovering from a lower leg injury, she played in the last four matches for the Reign, scored the game winning goal against Kansas City and assisted the game winning goal against Portland. 

Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current, Forward)

Previous contract: through 2025
New contract: through 2028

Giving the 2024 NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner a contract extension to keep her in Kansas City was truly a no brainer for the Current. In seven matches, Chawinga scored three goals in the first three matches of the season and assisted another. She’s tied with Debinha on goals in the run of play for the top of the table KC Current. 

Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals, GK)

Previous contract: through 2025
New contract: through 2029

In 2024, McGlynn was second in the league goalkeepers in PSxG-GA/90. With the international retirement of USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, McGlynn has gotten consistent call-ups to the USWNT camps and split playing time. Although the Royals are dealing with a lot of lynchpin players injured and are currently 13th in the table, McGlynn has helped keep them in matches.  

Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit, Defender)

Previous contract: through 2025
New contract: through 2027 + option for 2028 (exercised mutually in Jan)

McKeown has played every minute this season for the injury rampant Washington Spirit, who still have pulled out four wins and only sit three points out of the top of the table. In the offseason McKeown signed a new contract through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028, but in January, both sides exercised their part of the option, keeping McKeown in D.C. for the four seasons. She currently has 16 interceptions, 44 clearances, and  is fifth in the NWSL in percentage of dribblers tackled at 88.9%. 

Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC, Forward)

Previous contract: through 2025
New contract: through 2028

In just six matches for the LA-based club this season, the elder Thompson has scored three goals, and assisted two (including one to her younger sister Gisele). She currently is third in the league in Goals + Assists (5), fourth in carries into the penalty area (13), and fifth in progressive passes (47). Signing the 20-year-old to keep her in her hometown for the foreseeable future is a good move for Angel City as the new ownership looks to build a championship winning team.