Taylor Kornieck was by far the biggest revelation in the NWSL, and arguably, American women’s soccer, in 2022. Going from a player who was undeniably tall but raw at Orlando Pride, it was unclear coming into her debut season with San Diego Wave FC where she would play and how exactly she fit in the plans of head coach Casey Stoney.
It turned out, she was vital. Kornieck became the centerpiece of Stoney’s midfield, using her size well in deploying a two-way game and showing considerable skill and ability to affect games a number of ways.