The top 4 NWSL players from England in 2025 | OneFootball

As the NWSL becomes more popular, more English players are choosing to join the American league. Here are the four best English players in the NWSL this season.

Anna Moorhouse

Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride v Washington Spirit | Alex Menendez/GettyImages

Anna Moorhouse is the starting goalkeeper for Orlando. The 30-year-old has a lot of experience playing for top clubs in Europe. Bringing that experience, Moorhouse came to NWSL in 2022 and began having a major impact by 2023.

Her best season may have come in 2024 when she secured 13 clean sheets, a record for both her club and the NWSL. She was also a finalist for goalkeeper of the year in 2024.

Previously, Moorhouse spent time with Bordeaux, West Ham, Everton, Arsenal, Doncaster and Durham. She got her first senior call-up for England in the summer of 2024, though she's still looking for more playing time on the international level.

Jess Carter

NJ/NY Gotham

Washington Spirit v NY/NJ Gotham FC | Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/GettyImages

The Gotham defensive line is really solid. With experience from Jess Carter and Emily Sonnett, Gotham can have one of the best defenses in the league. Carter brings experience from Chelsea, the top club in England.

Before coming to the NWSL, Carter spent six seasons with Chelsea and five seasons with Birmingham City.

Carter has also played with the English squad. She is a strong defender known for her strong tackles and high work rate. Carter has a high percentage of completed passes, which makes her valuable at the back. She is also high on the charts for clearances, something crucial for defenders.

Esme Morgan

Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit v NY/NJ Gotham FC | Mitchell Layton/GettyImages

Esme Morgan is another strong English defender. She is in her second season with the Spirit and has played in all six of their matches. Before coming to the NWSL, Morgan played for Manchester City and Everton at the club level.

While Morgan doesn't present the biggest attacking threat, she is a powerful defender and ball handler. In nine games during the 2024 season, Morgan had a passing accuracy of 87%. She was also successful in 70% of her tackles.

As she continues to grow as a player, Morgan will be hoping to have even better percentages while playing with one of the more experienced backlines in her career.

Katie Zelem

Angel City

Washington Spirit  v Angel City FC | Ronald Martinez/GettyImages

Katie Zelem is a highly experienced midfielder for Angel City. Zelem spent time in England and Italy before coming to America, most recently enjoying a successful spell with Manchester United.

Zelem scored 21 goals in all competitions for Man U and racked up 25 assists. She is a fantastic playmaker, which makes her a valuable asset for Angel City. Her vision gives her game an edge. On the ball, Zelem makes important passes and gives herself time to see what's in front of her.

Zelem is a dangerous addition to this Angel City team. She scored her first goal for Angel City against Orlando, which ended up being a 3-2 loss for her side.