NWSL 2026: Gotham Loaded for Shield Glory? SI's Bold Predictions Have Pride and Spirit in the Mix
The NWSL's 2026 season kicks off March 13 with 16 teams, including new sides Boston Legacy and Denver Summit. SI writers Jenna Tonelli and Theo Lloyd-Hughes predict Gotham or Orlando for the Shield, Washington Spirit for the Championship, and spotlight rookies like Jordynn Dudley and bold picks like Amanda Gutierres for Golden Boot. Expansion coaches and injury comebacks add intrigue to a stacked campaign.
NWSL Gears Up for Epic 2026 Showdown with 16 Teams
Picture this: the NWSL explodes back onto the scene on Friday, March 13, bigger and bolder than ever. We're talking 16 teams for the 13th regular season, with fresh blood in Boston Legacy and Denver Summit crashing the party. After NJ/NY Gotham FC nabbed the championship twice in three years (2023 and 2025), and Orlando Pride pipped them in 2024, the Shield race has been a rollercoaster – San Diego Wave, Pride, and Kansas City Current topping the table lately.
Can the Current smash records again? Or have Gotham stolen the crown after knocking them out in last year's playoffs? Sports Illustrated's Jenna Tonelli and Theo Lloyd-Hughes have dished their preseason hot takes on the big prizes. Grab your pint; let's dive in.
Shield Battle: Gotham's Firepower vs Pride's Consistency
Jenna Tonelli is all-in on Gotham for the Shield. They've splashed cash on Guro Reiten to whip in crosses from the left, paired with rookies like Jordynn Dudley sharing the goals with Esther. Throw in Tierna Davidson's return, and this lot could steamroll the regular season standings over 30 games.
Theo Lloyd-Hughes respects the Gotham hype but backs Orlando Pride to edge it. The 2024 double winners boast a top-drawer coaching setup, a rock-solid identity, and the dream trio of Marta, Jacquie Ovalle, and Barbra Banda (once she's over her injury niggles). Consistency over the long haul? Pride have it in spades.
Championship Hunt: Spirit's Revenge or Current's Rampage?
Both pundits fancy the Washington Spirit to finally crack the Championship code. They've tasted finals defeat twice running – no hat-trick of heartbreak here. Trinity Rodman's shiny new HIP deal adds fuel, and a rested Sofia Cantore up top could be the X-factor for this well-drilled D.C. machine.
Lloyd-Hughes nods to a Spirit triumph but eyes Kansas City Current for a revenge mission. After that playoff gut-punch from Gotham, Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper will be firing by October, injuries permitting. It's the kind of narrative that gets the blood pumping.
Individual Glory and Coaching Masterclasses
Golden Boot? Tonelli says Chawinga is a no-brainer if fit – the complete No. 9, utterly ruthless. Lloyd-Hughes thinks bigger picture with her abductor issue and AFCON duties, tipping Amanda Gutierres at newcomers Boston Legacy. The 25-year-old Brazilian ex-Palmeiras ace blends power, technique, and rocket shots. Boston fans, you're in for a treat.
Rookie of the Year splits them too: Tonelli loves Jordynn Dudley, the college hotshot who picked champs Gotham and could dominate if minutes flow. Lloyd-Hughes plumps for Leah Klenke at Houston Dash – local lass with silky left-foot passing, primed for defensive impact.
Coach of the Year is wide open. Tonelli backs Nick Cushing at Denver Summit; guide the expansion side to playoffs, and it's his. Lloyd-Hughes ponders Alexander Straus turning Angel City FC into contenders after mid-table purgatory, or even Juan Carlos Amorós delivering Gotham's Shield with their stacked squad. Keep an eye on Emma Coates at Bay FC too, tasked with ending a 15-game winless skid.
The NWSL's never been more electric. With expansion drama, star returns, and redemption arcs galore, 2026 promises fireworks. Who's your pick to lift silverware? Hit the comments.