NWSL Stats and Minutiae after Week 13

Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 4:20 pm

NWSL Week 13: Records Fall as League Continues to Evolve

The National Women's Soccer League is witnessing a flurry of record-breaking performances and notable streaks as the 2026 season progresses through Week 13. From individual durability to team milestones, the league continues to showcase its growing talent and competitive landscape.

Kaleigh Kurtz has cemented her place in league history, extending her remarkable consecutive regular season appearance streak to 128 matches, accumulating an astounding 11,592 consecutive minutes. These records, which began on June 26, 2021, underscore Kurtz's consistent presence and dedication on the field. Meanwhile, Kate Del Fava of the Royals has achieved a unique milestone, remaining perfect in minutes played since her team's inception in 2024. She has played every minute of all 67 games, marking the longest streaks from the start of any expansion team in the league.

On the coaching front, Leif Gunnar Smerud has joined an elite group of managers, becoming the fourth coach to secure victories in his first two NWSL matches. This early success mirrors the starts of notable coaches like Rob Gale, Casey Stoney, and Juan Carlos Amor, all of whom went on to reach the playoffs.

The Golden Boot race is heating up, with Temwa Chawinga now trailing league leader Barbra Banda by three goals, both players having scored nine and twelve respectively. Both Banda and Chawinga are set to represent their nations at the Women's African Cup of Nations, with their teams scheduled to face each other in a highly anticipated match. Chawinga is aiming for a historic third consecutive Golden Boot, a feat previously achieved only by Sam Kerr. Trinity Rodman and Trinity Byars are also making their mark, occupying fourth and fifth place in the scoring charts.

Team achievements are also abundant. Gotham FC celebrated their 50th regular-season home win with a sold-out crowd. Conversely, the Stars have endured a challenging period, marking their 50th home loss across all competitions. Their offensive struggles continue, as they have now played at least their first 16 games without scoring in consecutive matches, setting a new league record. Racing Louisville, however, saw their club-record five-game losing streak come to an end with a draw.

Individual scoring records are being rewritten as well. Maiara Niehues continues to set Angel City records, scoring in her fifth consecutive game and becoming the seventh player to score the game-winner in three straight matches. Esther Gonzalez has now surpassed Sam Kerr to become Gotham's all-time leading scorer. Angel City's defense has also been stellar, posting a franchise-record three consecutive shutouts. Karlie Lema has matched a Bay FC record by scoring in three straight games. Louisville narrowly avoided a team record for consecutive minutes without a goal, with Kayla Fischer's goal ending a 289-minute drought. In a peculiar turn of events, the Reign became the first team in NWSL history to lead by two goals, win a penalty, and ultimately lose the match.

BNN's Perspective: The NWSL is clearly in a phase of significant growth and development. The sheer volume of individual and team records being broken each week is a testament to the increasing competitiveness and talent within the league. While some teams are experiencing historic highs, others are navigating challenging periods, which is a natural part of any evolving sports landscape. The league's commitment to tracking and sharing these statistics provides valuable insight into the narratives unfolding on the pitch, engaging fans and highlighting the dedication of its players and coaches.

Tags: NWSL, Week 13, Kaleigh Kurtz, Kate Del Fava, Leif Gunnar Smerud, Barbra Banda, Temwa Chawinga, Golden Boot, Trinity Rodman, Trinity Byars, Gotham FC, Stars, Angel City, Racing Louisville, Maiara Niehues, Esther Gonzalez, Sam Kerr, Karlie Lema, Kayla Fischer, Reign, records, streaks, statistics, minutiae

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