NWSL teams must consider enticing this defender from Europe | OneFootball

The NWSL schedule was just released so now teams will be looking to sure up their rosters now with only a few months beore the season kicks off. There is one former NWSL defender who teams should consider bringing back to the pitch.

Gemma Bonner is a defender currently for Liverpool in her second stint with the club. She has been there since 2023 and has made over 50 appearances. She had played for Chelsea and Manchester City, so she has proven her star power in the Women's Super League.

Bonner did sign a contract with Liverpool during the offseason, but it may be worth a call by some NWSL teams to entice her back to the United States.

Gemma Bonner, the English defender spent two seasons with Racing Louisville in the NWSL already

Her time in the NWSL was a time of peril for the new expansion team out of Lousiville. She was a leader and captain during her time in the league as the team and league endured an assault scandal which rocked North America.

Throughout that time with Racing Louisville, she never wavered and was a steady presence for the organization in her two years during her tenure. In the 2021 season, she helped Louisville earn two shutouts during the season.

Teams with younger rosters may be looking for a veteran defender to help mentor and mold younger squads who may falter during the first month or so of a long NWSL season.

She may consider returning to the league for the right opportunity and the chance to win a ring and be a mentor. She has already won a Women's Super League title in 2013 and 2014 during her first stint with Liverpool.

However, the NWSL is currently running into problems with their salary cap and upping the salary for popular stars to either return or stay in the league. Trinity Rodman among others have pushed back against these restrictions.

If a team were to call Bonner and her team, they would have to make a strong offer to her that would make her consider leaving Liverpool.

However, if she were to look at leaving Liverpool, many teams would be hard-pressed to find a stronger defender and leader for a league looking for mentors for their ever-growing younger players.

She was on the pitch the night that Racing Louisville played emotionally during a 1-1 tie after their coach was fired for assault. It shows how she can help rally and mentor anyone in the NWSL for 2026 and beyond.