The 2025 NWSL End-of-Year Awards are making a significant transition as the league enhances the ceremony by launching a new awards show to kick off NWSL Championship week on Wednesday.
Let’s Dive Into the Highlights
Sandra Herrera details her voting ballot for the awards, outlining her thoughts on candidates and the reasoning behind her choices.
MVP Candidates
- Delphine Cascarino (San Diego Wave FC)
- Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current)
- Esther González (Gotham FC)
- Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage)
- Bia Zaneratto (Kansas City Current)
Vote: Temwa Chawinga
Temwa stood out by leading the league in goals and winning the golden boot for the second consecutive year, showcasing her skills as both a prolific scorer and an active player off the ball.
Defender of the Year Candidates
- Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC)
- Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit)
- Avery Patterson (Houston Dash)
- Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current)
- Kayla Sharples (Kansas City Current)
Vote: Kayla Sharples
She has been a key player for Kansas City’s defense, managing her role effectively even amid teammate changes due to injuries.
Goalkeeper of the Year Candidates
- Lorena (Kansas City Current)
- Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC)
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC)
Vote: Lorena
A critical player in Kansas City’s defense, leading the league with fourteen clean sheets.
Midfielder of the Year Candidates
- Kenza Dali (San Diego Wave)
- Debinha (Kansas City Current)
- Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current)
- Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage)
- Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC)
Vote: Claire Hutton
Demonstrating remarkable growth this season, she showcased her potential with consistent performance.
Rookie of the Year Candidates
- Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC)
- Lilly Reale (Gotham FC)
- Riley Tiernan (Angel City FC)
Vote: Lilly Reale
An impactful player who made a significant contribution throughout the season.
Coach of the Year Candidates
- Vlatko Andonovski (Kansas City Current)
- Adrian Gonzalez (Washington Spirit)
- Beverly Yanez (Racing Louisville)
Vote: Vlatko Andonovski
Recognized for leading Kansas City to a historic season, setting numerous records.
Conclusion
At the conclusion of the ballot voting, Herrera selected players for the end-of-year Best XI. Below are her picks, along with players she believes deserve recognition in a second Best XI:
