NWSL 2026 season review: Gotham FC make history, Ashley Sanchez wins Golden Boot and the Denver Summit break records as Chicago Stars hit rock bottom

The 2026 NWSL season saw Gotham FC achieve a historic performance, while the newly introduced Denver Summit broke records in their inaugural campaign. North Carolina Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez claimed the Golden Boot award in a breakout season, whereas the Chicago Stars endured another disappointing year at the bottom of the league. The season also featured the introduction of two new franchises expanding the league's footprint.