A Bigger Canadian Impact in the NWSL? Breaking Down the Numbers

In 2025, three Canadians ranked among the top 100 players based on average Fotmob rating, and none were even close to being in the running for team of the season honours. The highest ranked was Janine Sonis (20th) with a 7.26 average rating, and 3 Player of the Match awards. Fleming (93) and Grosso (94) were the others in the top 100.

This season, Cloé Lacasse is genuinely in the MVP conversation. Ranked 8th in the league with a 7.61 average rating, several game-winning goals, and 2 POTM awards for the Royals, who, surprisingly, sit in second place just behind the Wave ahead of the Thorns. Statistically, her high ratings are due to her goal contributions (more on that later), chances created (26, 2nd league-wide), and defensive acumen (no surprise there).

Janine Sonis (22nd overall) has elevated her game this season, averaging a 7.42 rating and collecting 2 POTM awards for Denver. She was voted NWSL Player of the Week before the break, and made the May Team of the Month. She would likely be rated higher if she hadn’t received that red card early in the season. Her offensive interpretation of the fullback role allows her to drive the play (726 touches), get forward (17 touches in opposition box), create chances (30% successful crosses, 10 chances created), while her athleticism allows her to get back to defend (51 recoveries, 16 interceptions).

Jessie Fleming’s play has noticeably improved as well, in almost all areas including chance creation (20 so far vs 27 all season, 10th in the league), successful dribbles (62.5% vs 38%), duels won (58.8% vs 48.5%), and defensive contributions. The game vs Seattle comes to mind, when she helped her team win despite being down two players. She ranks 43rd overall with a 7.24 ranking. With more responsibility in dictating play since Coffey’s departure, the Canadian Captain has flourished as the omnipresent midfield maestro we all know she can be. You love to see it.

Two other Canadians are in the top 100 - Gabby Carle (94th, 6.92 rating) and Kailen Sheridan (100th, 6.91 rating). Both are playing well but haven’t yet reached the heights we know they can hit.

Cloé Lacasse leads the way with 4G and 3A, outpacing her xG by 1.7, and already matching last year’s best output by a Canadian (Adriana Leon, Jessie Fleming). Janine Sonis has 4 goals (plus 1 assist), the most of any defender in the league, in part thanks to her role as PK taker, but also due to her immense ability to sprint up the pitch to support the attack. Nichelle Prince’s 1G and 2A have her sitting third among Canadians, with Huitema (2G), Alidou (2A) behind Boston’s captain.

22 Canadians have played just over 11.5k minutes so far, nearly 60% of last year’s total minutes played. And that’s despite several injuries including Adriana Leon (0 minutes), Zara Chavoshi (17 min), and others such as Sophie Schmidt (91 min, 4 appearances) only just returning to the pitch. Jessie Fleming is tied for first league-wide in minutes played (1170) as she has played every available minute for the Thorns, reaching ironwoman status. Her fellow CanWNT midfielder Julia Grosso has played the second most minutes of any Canadian with 1035, followed by Kailen Sheridan and Sydney Collins (both 990) who are also ironwomen for their respective clubs. Cloé Lacasse (954), Nichelle Prince (909), and Janine Sonis (837) round out the top 7.

Emma Regan’s playtime unfortunately took a significant hit when NWSL veteran CDM Delaney Sheehan arrived alongside her partner Yazmeen Ryan early in the season. Nevertheless, Regan has consistently played a role off the bench and has looked pretty decent in terms of tackles and long passes. The other former NSL player, Holly Ward, is starting to gain more minutes each week and has 3 starts in 6 appearances, after coming back from an injury early on.

Grosso: 15 Chances created (28th)

Prince: 14 Chances created (30th)

Courtnall: 45.3 successful passes per 90 (22nd)

Reid: 1.5 blocks per 90 (1st), 10 defensive contributions per 90 (8th)

Chapman:  2.4 interceptions per 90 (9th), 8.9 defensive contributions per 90 (24th)

Regan: 4 tackles per 90 (9th)

Wickenheiser: 3.8 tackles per 90 (12th)

Beyond the stats, it’s important to note that five Canadians have worn the armband for their respective clubs this season, including Kailen Sheridan, Sydney Collins, Jessie Fleming, Janine Sonis, and Nichelle Prince. It’s great to see CanWNT stars take on leadership roles across the league, as this speaks to their impact on the pitch and in the locker room.

At the one-third mark, the numbers support the initial impression: Canadians are not just present in the NWSL—they’re driving play.

From ironwoman minutes (Fleming, Sheridan, Collins), to elite attacking output (Lacasse), to evolving all-around performances (Sonis, Fleming), the overall influence is broader and more impactful than in recent seasons.

And with key players returning from injury, there’s reason to believe this upward trend may only accelerate in the second third of the campaign. The NWSL is back! Enjoy it! If you need a little refresher on what went down in the first third of the season, check out the Athletic’s pod.