By OkayGoal 
The NWSL has become a hotbed for young talent to enter and contribute right away. There are a plethora of teenage stars who represent the future of women’s football. These are the players who will change the game and help take women’s soccer to new heights. These are players who have already been part of the USWNT, and more will likely join their ranks. And, these are the players who will inspire the next generation of talent. Here’s our ranking of the 14 Best Teenagers in the NWSL based on current form.
14. Casey Phair – Angel City
Casey Phair dazzled for South Korea at the last World Cup at just 16 years of age. Angel City wasted no time in signing her after that. Phair has only made five appearances for the club, and the team felt they needed to give her more experience elsewhere. Phair is currently with Djurgårdens IF in Sweden on loan to get that experience. Hopefully, once she’s back, she’ll be able to make an impact for Angel City right away.
13. McKenna Whitham – Gotham FC
McKenna Whitham might hold the distinction as the best 15-year-old in the world right now. She’s well ahead of everyone in her age group, having already made six appearances for Gotham FC. To have the physical tools to be ready for the speed and strength of the pro game is incredibly impressive. Whitham does more than hold her own when she enters the game; she attacks it. Whitham is only going to get better from here.
12. Alex Pfeiffer – Kansas City Current
Alex Pfeiffer joined Kansas City at 16 years old and made the NWSL debut of a lifetime. She scored in her debut against the Portland Thorns in March 2024. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to see more of Pfieffer this season as she’s recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus. Pfeiffer has the physical tools and the finishing ability to be a great player for Kansas City one day. We can only hope her rehab to get back to the field is going smoothly.
11. Chloe Ricketts – Washington Spirit
Chloe Ricketts is a tremendous talent, and Washington wasted no time getting her onto the pitch. Ricketts has been unlucky not to score on a few occasions; otherwise, she’d have the youngest goalscorer in NWSL record over Alex Pfieffer. Ricketts has already appeared in 22 games since 2023, but the team has decided not to exercise its fourth-year contract option for her. With the Spirit pushing for the title, there simply hasn’t been room for Ricketts to break into the team. Now in 2026, she’ll be a free agent; you better believe a few NWSL teams will be pursuing her.
10. Gisele Thompson – Angel City
With her sister gone to London, it’s Gisele Thompson’s time to shine, now that she’s no longer on the same team as Alyssa. Honestly, Gisele’s play has fallen under the radar because she’s been very reliable for Angel City, making 30 appearances already. The right back signed in 2024 and has held her own time and time again, and continues to be a part of the starting lineup. Thompson even has a goal to her name, showing that she can be versatile in attack as well. She might not receive as much attention as Alyssa, but she’s blossoming before our very eyes and is definitely a player to watch.
9. Melanie Barcenas – San Diego Wave
Mel Barcenas might be the most entertaining player to watch on this list, as you’ve likely seen her on your feed doing endless stepovers at least once. It’s not just for show; she’s looking to embarrass players and attack every time she comes onto the ball. Even in her pregame warmups, you always see her practicing those same stepover moves; she’s always putting the work in. Barcenas has scored and made 20 appearances for the San Diego Wave. She’s one of three teenage sensations for the Wave, all of whom represent the future of the club. Every time Barcenas steps on the ball, you want to see what she’s going to try next.
8. Kennedy Fuller – Angel City
Kennedy Fuller is a special player who has the mindset and ability of someone far beyond her years. Having watched her debut for Angel City in person, the best word you can use to describe her is fearless. Fuller is not afraid to throw her body around and get physical, even though she’s proven to be more of an attacking midfielder. She is already difficult to take off the ball and has shown a propensity to score. Fuller scored recently against Gotham, bringing her goal tally to three in 34 appearances. Fuller is absolutely a centerpiece for Angel City moving forward.
7. Olivia Moultrie – Portland Thorns
This wouldn’t have been possible without Olivia Moultrie’s decision to file her lawsuit in 2021 to remove the age limit from the NWSL. As a result, she became the first teenager to enter the league, and she has been a Thorns mainstay since. With 78 appearances in Portland, she’s by far the most experienced teenager in the NWSL. Last year was a career year with five goals in 22 games, but this year hasn’t seen the same success. Moultrie has only played in 12 league games and scored once. That’s the only reason she’s not higher on this list, but she is one of the best teenagers who will only be a teenager for another week.
6. Claire Hutton – Kansas City Current
Claire Hutton is a tremendous talent at 19 years old and has shown on more than one occasion that she truly belongs. Playing a defensive midfield spot that requires technical and physical ability, she has both in spades. Not only does she have the physical tools, but the mental fortitude and IQ to read the game from that position. Having made 33 appearances already, and six appearances with a goal on the national team, the sky is the limit for her. Hutton is sure to be a cornerstone for Kansas City as she gets valuable experience learning from the best team in the league. This is a player who could absolutely be a national team starter one day.
5. Kimmi Ascanio – San Diego Wave
Kimmi Ascanio has truly burst onto the scene this year as one of the top young talents in the league at just 17. After only making six appearances last year, she’s made 19 this season with four goals and an assist to her name. For her to start almost every game highlights how much confidence the team has in her to make plays and create opportunities for her teammates. Every time she touches the ball, she’s looking to go forward and score. This is a player with tremendous promise for the Wave; she’s got potential for the USWNT as well.
4. Trinity Armstrong – San Diego Wave
San Diego signed Trinity Armstrong to begin 2025, and 10 days later, they let Naomi Girma go to Chelsea. All Armstrong has done since then is justify this move by showing she is far beyond her years. Most of the players on this list are strikers or midfielders; it’s far more impressive for defenders to be this young and this good. Consider the incredible strikers that young defenders like Armstrong have to face week in and week out. With 18 appearances and 14 starts, she’s been a part of five clean sheets for San Diego this season. Between her physical and mental capabilities, the sky is the limit for Trinity Armstrong.
3. Jordyn Bugg – Seattle Reign
Jordyn Bugg has seamlessly integrated into Seattle’s team since joining in 2024. After making six appearances to end last season, she’s been starting almost every game with 18 games played and 17 starts. Bugg scored a long-range screamer early in the season, showing that her technique and skill are more than just defending. Bugg has almost made her debut for the national team; she’s got a chance to be the next Naomi Girma for the USWNT.
2. Emeri Adames – Seattle Reign
Emeri Adames has become an impact player for the Reign this season. Between Bugg and Adames, they have two of the best young players in the league. Adames appeared in 21 games and started in six last year; this year, she has played in 16 games and started in nine. The biggest difference for Adames is the goal-scoring output; the six goals are incredibly impressive for someone her age. The call-up to the USWNT hasn’t come yet, but with how she’s been producing for the Reign, you’d have to think it’s only a matter of time before she does.
1. Riley Jackson – North Carolina Courage
Out of all the teenagers in the league, Riley Jackson is the most polished of the group. Watching her for the first time, I never would’ve ever guessed that she was a teenager. Her poise on the ball, with the ability to always keep her head up, looks more like an NWSL vet than a 19-year-old midfielder. Last year, Jackson was featured more off the bench with just three starts in 18 games played. This year, she’s been a regular for the Courage with 16 starts in 18 appearances and two goals. Of all the young players, Jackson has played the most impactful minutes in the regular season for her team. Jackson isn’t talked about as much as some of the other young stars, but she deserves it. She’s going to be a great midfielder in the NWSL for a long time
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