The eight biggest breakout stars of the NWSL season: Croix Bethune, Claire Hutton & more

For the NWSL, 2024 has been the year of high-quality teams, a seriously competitive Shield race, and superstars like Barbra Banda, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith doing what they do best. It has also been a year for sudden improvers, surprise resurgences, and sensational rookies. Which players belong in that breakout category?

Here are eight of the best emerging stars of the 2024 NWSL season.

Angelina, CM, Orlando Pride

Age: 24

NWSL fans knew who Angelina was before 2024, but they didn’t necessarily know what she could deliver on the field.

During three years with the Seattle Reign, the 24-year-old had a number of brief, unsuccessful trials in several different positions, ultimately failing to break into the starting line-up with any consistency. Despite all this, she continually played for the Brazilian national team, and was called up to their World Cup squad last year. 

Then came the move to Orlando. Playing for the Pride this year, Angelina has linked up with compatriots Marta, Adriana, Rafaelle and Luana. She has also established herself in central midfield, often playing in a double pivot alongside Haley McCutcheon, injecting energy and quality on the ball.

It’s difficult to leave out Summer Yates, who Angelina has essentially rotated with, but both are representative of the work done with Orlando’s coaching staff: they are two players among many enjoying their finest NWSL seasons to date.

Croix Bethune, AM, Washington Spirit

Age: 23

Selected third overall by the Washington Spirit in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Bethune was already regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the country going into this season.