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The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) presents six annual awards to individual players. The Golden Boot award is presented to the top scorer at the end of the regular season, while the Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards are voted on by various league constituents.
Tobin Heath received the first NWSL championship MVP award in 2013; she scored the opening goal of Portland Thorns FC's 2–0 victory in the inaugural championship game. [1] In 2022, Portland's Sophia Smith received the championship MVP award the same season she was named league MVP. [2] The most recent winner is Barbra Banda (2024).
Lindsey Horan (2018) was the first winner not also to win the Golden Boot presented to the NWSL's top goal scorer. [1] Sam Kerr (2017, 2019) is the first player to win multiple MVP awards. [ 2 ] Five players born outside the United States have won the award: Kim Little (2014), Kerr, Jess Fishlock (2021), Kerolin (2023), and Temwa Chawinga (2024).
[19] [20] The "double"—an NWSL Championship and NWSL Shield in the same season—has been won three times: by the North Carolina Courage in 2018 and 2019, and by the Orlando Pride in 2024. [19] [21] Orlando also set the league's all-time points record during the 2024 season, with 60 points and an 18–2–6 record. [22]
They are considered one of the major end-of-season awards for NWSL players alongside the league's own awards. [3] [4] As there are often differences between the league's own awards and the NWSL Players' Awards, many NWSL players consider the NWSL Players' Awards to be more prestigious as they are decided by only players themselves. [5] [6]
The NWSL Players Association began awarding its own NWSL Players' Awards, voted on by the players of the NWSL, in 2019. [10] These awards are considered one of the major end-of-season awards for NWSL players alongside the league's own awards. [11] [12] As there are often differences between the league's own awards and the NWSL Players' Awards ...
NWSL Best XI and Second XI are annual awards presented to the best and second-best eleven players in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). As of 2024, [update] the teams of the season awards are voted on by players (40%), owners/general managers/coaches (25%), media (25%), and fans (10%). [ 1 ]
Lauren Holiday (2013) won the first Golden Boot in the NWSL's inaugural season. Temwa Chawinga holds the record for most goals scored in a season with 20 in 2024. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Sam Kerr is the only player to win Golden Boot more than once (2017–2019).