Highest Paid Players in NWSL

The National Women’s Soccer League is the top-tier football league in the USA. Established in 2012, the league features some of the top women’s football players around the world contributing significantly to the growth of women’s football.

NWSL has played a huge role in promoting women’s football both locally and internationally earning huge admirers in the process. With the league set to expand the number of teams, it is expected to make significant strides in the coming years.

10. Rose Lavelle – Gotham FC

Gotham FC completed the high-profile signing of Rose Lavelle from OL Reign. The midfielder earns a reported salary of $265K annually becoming the 10th highest-paid player in the NWSL. Lavelle is expected to make a significant impact in the midfield of Gotham FC with her creativity and vision earning admirers from all around the world.

Lavelle will be hopeful of replicating her form of OL Reign in Gotham FC and helping her team for a playoff push this season. Her experience in the US National Team and the top European leagues will also come in handy in a very young squad.

9. Trinity Rodman – Washington Spirit

Trinity Rodman won the NWSL Rookie of the Year award in 2021 and never looked back since. Known for her speed and athleticism, Rodman is one of the most influential players in Washington Spirit, earning an annual salary of $275K. The forward has a knack for scoring goals and is a crucial part of Washington Spirit’s offensive play and overall success.

Rodman scored 26 goals in her Spirit career so far and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2022. In the following year, she was named in the 2023 NWSL Best XI Second Team.

8. Amandine Henry – Angel City FC

Amandine Henry joined Angel City FC in 2023 bringing her wealth of experience to the Los Angeles-based club. Henry was one of the ever-presents during her stint at the club and earned an annual salary of approximately $394.5K. Henry has also been a member of the French Women’s National Team since 2009, scoring 13 goals in 93 total caps.

Henry’s signing in NWSL not only proved to be helpful for Angel City FC but also encouraged the other international players to follow her footsteps and join the NWSL.

7. Mallory Swanson – Chicago Red Stars

Mallory Swanson joined the Chicago Red Stars in 2020 from Sky Blue FC. She started 17 of her first 18 games at the Red Stars scoring three goals and assisting another three. She was called up to the USWNT at the age of 17, which is the youngest in 11 years. Her ability to dribble players and take one-on-ones made her an asset for the Red Stars and she earned an annual salary of $400K.

Swanson also represented the USWNT in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympics giving her a wealth of experience at such a young age.

6. Nadine Angerer – Portland Thorns

Nadine Angerer is one of the most celebrated goalkeepers in the US women’s soccer history and the only goalkeeper to feature in this list. At Portland Thorns, she earned an annual salary of $400K and was known for her exceptional shot-stopping ability, leadership, and composure under pressure.

She made an invaluable contribution to Thorns both on and off the field and following her retirement in 2015, Angerer switched to a coaching role, developing hundreds of young goalkeeping talents all around the world.

5. Marta – Orlando Pride

Marta joined Orlando Pride on a free transfer from Rosengård in 2017 earning an annual salary of $400K. Her versatility to switch in various attacking roles made her one of their important players with her experience, creativity, and leadership proving to be crucial for the team.

The Brazilian has been one of the most consistent performers in the league over the past few years and has also contributed to the league’s overall profile by drawing fans from around the world, especially from Brazil.

4. Crystal Dunn – Gotham FC

Crystal Dunn is widely known as one of the most lethal strikers to have ever played in the NWSL. In her second season with the Washington Spirit, she won the Golden Boot and the Most Valuable Player of the Season in 2015. In 2024, she joined Gotham FC in a contract that would run until 2026.

The winger was an integral part of USWNT’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the Olympic bronze medal in 2021 making her one of the most successful and respected women players in the world.

3. Christine Sinclair – Portland Thorns

Christine Sinclair joined Portland Thorns in 2013 and helped them win multiple NWSL championships. Sinclair brought a wealth of experience to the club and thanks to her regular goal-scoring prowess and leadership qualities, she was named in the NWSL Team of the Year in her inaugural season at Thorns.

Sinclair earns an annual salary of $450K at Thorns making her the third highest-paid player in the NWSL. She is one of the most decorated players in NWSL history winning ‍the 2013, 2017, 2022 NWSL Championship; 2016, 2021 NWSL Shield; 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup; and 2021 WICC Championship.

2. Maria Sanchez – San Diego Wave FC

Maria Sanchez was traded from Houston Dash to San Diego Wave FC in 2024, earning a reported salary of $500K annually. The winger is known for her dribbling skills and vision bringing a new dynamic in the final third. She made 138 appearances for Houston Dash scoring 27 goals. The Mexican has represented her national side in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Concacaf Women’s Championship in 2022, the Pan American Games in 2023, and the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup in 2024.

Sanchez is expected to thrive in San Diego given their offensive style of play and with her experience at the highest level, Wave would be hopeful of defending their NWSL Shield and securing the championship this season.

1. Sophia Smith – Portland Thorns

Sophia Smith is the highest-paid player in NWSL history earning an annual salary of $500K approximately. Smith is regarded as one of the most talented youngsters in women’s football, known for her speed, dribbling, and clinical finishing. At the age of 24, she has already enjoyed a successful career winning the 2022 NWSL MVP, 2022 NWSL Best XI First Team, 2022 NWSL Championship MVP, 2022 NWSL Champion, 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Champion, 2021 WICC Champion and the 2021 NWSL Shield. She was also named in the 2023 NWSL Best Team.

Smith is also one of the regulars in the USWNT earning 27 caps and scoring 12 goals for the Americans. In 2022, she was named the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.

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