Who will win the NWSL MVP? Let’s take a look
The IX: Soccer Monday with Annie Peterson, Sept. 23, 2024
I’m going to make a case for the players I think are MVP worthy, and a few who might deserve consideration. These are in no particular order, because I’m not rooting for one over the other. Let’s kickoff with the most obvious pair, and add two who could potentially pull of the upset, and the other players who have made an important impact to their teams:
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Barbara Banda
It’s difficult to overstate the impact she’s had on the Orlando Pride and the importance of her presence. Banda leads the team and is ranked second in the league with 13 goals, tying the team single-season record. The Pride are undefeated this season and barreling toward their first playoff appearance since 2017. Since joining the team in April, she’s integrated seamlessly on to the team. Still just 24, she complements Marta, who is playing inspired football this season. Also, she’s been nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Temwa Chawinga
Chawinga leads the league with 16 goals, a club record. Her latest came on Friday — her 26th birthday — when she scored in the Kansas City Current’s 3-0 victory over the Washington Spirit. Chawinga needs just two more goals to match Sam Kerr’s NWSL single season record set in 2019. The Current lead the league with 46 total goals this season, fifth-most in NWSL history.
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Two who could potentially still pull of an upset:
Trinity Rodman
First of all, I’m hoping Rodman’s back injury from this weekend isn’t serious. Her agent told the Washington Post it was an “Intense” back spasm. It’s possible that the Washington Spirit could shut her down for the rest of the regular season. There’s only five games remaining, and the Spirit have already clinched. But, back to Rodman: This season she has eight goals, tied for fourth in the NWSL with her teammate Ouleye Sarr. She also has six assists. She’s one of the most dynamic players in soccer right now, which she demonstrated both with her NWSL play and with her gold-medal winning performance with the USWNT.
Sophia Smith
Smith, who won the MVP in 2022, has 11 goals and six assists. Her obstacle is that she’s playing for a team that is really struggling right now. The Portland Thorns have fallen to seventh in the standings, just two points ahead of eighth-place Racing Louisville, who right now have the final playoff spot. The Thorns have lost four straight regular-season league matches since the Olympic break. They’ll be at BMO Stadium tonight for a game against Angel City. If Smith can help lift the Thorns out of their funk, she could strengthen her MVP candidacy.
Players who have made a positive impact on their teams, even if they’re not necessarily MVP candidates at this point.
Marta: OK, who saw Marta’s amazing resurgence with the Orlando Pride coming? At 38, she has six goals and she’s playing better than players 10 years younger. While she’s stepping away from the Brazilian national team, she’s clearly not done with the NWSL just yet. Plus she’s engaged to be married and seems very happy, so how can anyone not root for her?
Croix Bethune: Shoo-in for Rookie of the Year. She may have been considered an MVP candidate with her league leading 10 assists (along with five goals) before her unfortunate season-ending injury. A great player and a fashion icon, what more could you want?
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Naomi Girma: Clearly one of the best defenders in the world right now, if not the best. That she wasn’t nominated for a Ballon d’Or is a travesty. She should be the NWSL’s Defender of the Year for the third straight year. The Wave have had a weird season, but it’s the lack of scoring that’s the problem, not the defending. Without Girma, I’m sensing things for San Diego would be a lot worse.
Now, onto the links:
Trinity Rodman hurt against the Current, still awaiting word on her status.
Gotham FC will be at White House today!
Sportico reports that Marc Lasry is nearing a deal to buy the North Carolina Courage.
Colossus, a Boston-based ad agency, will devise the new Boston NWSL team’s brand identity.
Cleveland ups the ante in its bid for an NWSL team.
The Olympics channel on new Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor
Tom Sermanni is the interim coach of the Matildas
Tackling sexism and misogyny in women’s football
90min looks at the 25 top forwards of this year
Sky Sports’ comprehensive Women’s Super League Preview. A must read. The WSL’s first fixtures were this past weekend.
ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf looked at the complicated relationship with the NWSL and USL Super League
North Korea wins U-20 World Cup.
AP’s story on Gotham’s visit to the White House
Barclay’s re-ups sponsorship deal with the Women’s Super League.
Women’s soccer players are challenging gender stereotypes in Mexico, from the Washington Post.
Here’s President Biden’s remarks at the celebration! The first time an NWSL team has been invited to the White House.
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