We are approaching the conclusion of August. The finish line is nearly here. While leagues like the Barclays Women's Championship and Women's Super League get up and running, the NWSL will be coming to a close. Other than the race for playoff positions, the field for each individual honor is beginning to become clearer by the day. Five players and one coach across the league will be announced as the best of the best from a 22-match week campaign. In 2022, Sophia Smith was given the MVP two days before the NWSL Championship, indicating that could be the same sort of timeline this time around. The title match takes place on Nov. 11 at Snapdragon Stadium.
Due to the sheer competitiveness of the NWSL, selecting winners is an incredibly tough job. That is why a combination of players, media, coaches, owners, and even fans are involved in the process. Here are my picks for all six awards set to be distributed at some point in November.
Predictions for every NWSL postseason award:
Most Valuable Player
Predicted winner: Sophia Smith
2022 Recipient: Sophia Smith
Since the NWSL was founded, no player has been able to win back-to-back MVP awards. Portland Thorns' Sophia Smith is well on her way to being the first one. The USWNT star has amassed 16 goal contributions so far in 12 starts for the league leaders. She is well on pace to shatter her total from last season, having collected 17 in 16 league starts. There are few words to decide a player of Smith's quality. It is not just the world-class finishing that makes her so brilliant, the unselfishness of such a star player presents the opponent with so much to ponder when she is striding forward.
Kerolin, North Carolina's Brazilian star is second to Smith in the goal department with eight in one fewer match played. She is one of the key reasons why the Courage will be fighting for that top seed along with Portland in the coming weeks. The 23-year-old has taken the burden that Debinha left behind, and ran with it. Her electric speed and elite footwork have built her into a true NWSL superstar since coming over from Madrid CFF in January 2022.
Golden Boot
Predicted winner: Sophia Smith
2022 Recipient: Alex Morgan
With the way that the Portland star came out in her return from Australia and New Zealand, it seems unlikely anyone is going to catch her. The youngster would join a group that includes Kim Little, Lynn Williams, Crystal Dunn, and Sam Kerr as the only players to hoist the Golden Boot and MVP in the same campaign.
The 23-year-old forward found the back of the net on 14 occasions in 2022 during league play, missing out on being the NWSL's top scorer by one goal. With the quality of Ashley Sanchez and Trinity Rodman back into the Washington team, Ashley Hatch is going to have the service she needs to finish right behind the Thorns' No. 9.
Defender of the Year
Predicted winner: Emily Fox
2022 Recipient: Naomi Girma
When it comes to passing out league honors, the Defender of the Year has to be the most challenging. Going off the last few seasons, there seems to be a criteria that each victor follows. The last three individuals to receive this award, Naomi Girma, Caprice Dydasco, and Becky Sauerbrunn all finished in the top-21 players in the league in total passes while amassing a pass completion percentage of over 75 percent. The last five winners have all been a part of a side that finished in the bottom two in the league in total goals conceded.
Given the team's prolific clean sheet record this season, Emily Fox of the North Carolina Courage has to be considered a top candidate. She is currently top-five in the league in total passes completed with 80 of those being progressive and 70 considered to be into the final third. At the moment, the USWNT international has just one assist, but that should increase in the coming weeks. Orlando Pride's Kylie Strom is a dark horse while other potential nominees being former award holder Abby Erceg, Girma, and OL Reign's Sofia Huerta.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Predicted winner: Abby Smith
2022 Recipient: Kalien Sheridan
Following the retirement of goalkeeping legend Ashlyn Harris, NJ/NY Gotham FC needed a solution between the sticks. The east coast side turned to the 2022 Thorns' backup, Abby Smith as the solution. The 29-year-old has done nothing but amaze, giving many people the idea that a USWNT camp could be in her future.
Despite the fact that the Oregon native has only managed to collect four clean sheets so far, the standout shot stopper has been awarded six "Save of the Week" honors by the NWSL this season. That is double the amount that the next keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has. Only Houston Dash's Jane Campell and North Carolina's Casey Murphy have a better goals per 90 than Smith. The former Texas Longhorn has taken her first real opportunity since her time with the Utah Royals by the neck.
Her injury this past weekend against the Wave makes her status going forward a question mark. Even though that could have an effect on her receiving this honor, there is no question she deserves it. At times she extends herself too much, but when it comes to shot stopping, there are few within the NWSL that are more prolific at it right now.
Rookie of the Year
Predicted winner: Jenna Nighswonger
2022 Recipient: Naomi Girma
The youth revolution in the NWSL has taken a jump this season, leading to what has to be considered one of the most difficult decisions for Rookie of the Year. Emily Madril has been the definition of solid at the back for Orlando while Messiah Bright continues to make waves up top. The quality within the youth does even stop there. In New Jersey/New York, wing back Jenna Nighswonger has quietly made a name for herself in her first season out of Florida State.
The 2023 No. 4 overall selection has completed the third most passes on Gotham while leading the side in crosses into the penalty area. At predominantly a left-back, Nighswonger has shown no fear getting into the action up top. With two goals and an assist in May, the rookie was named to the NWSL Team of the Month.
In all competitions, the versatile winger has contributed over 1,400 minutes to date, recording four goals and two assists in that time. Her composure on and off the ball combined with her duel-winning abilities are quite remarkable for someone her age. Gotham's No. 32 has been given the league's Rookie of the Month honors twice. The same amount last year's winner, Girma accumulated.
Coach of the Year
Predicted winner: Sean Nahas
2022 Recipient: Casey Stoney
It seemed like a long shot before the season that North Carolina would be fighting for the No. 1 seed in addition to being in the Challenge Cup semifinals. That is where we are now. Sean Nahas and his incredible coaching staff has rebuilt this Courage side through a new possession-based style of play. Guided by its midfield led by Ireland international Denise O'Sullivan, NC has continued to wear teams down.
They have conceded fewer goals than they have played matches in the league. You can't make that up. Without Debinha, and Diana Ordonez, North Carolina has created a culture of unselfishness where everyone has a role whether its on the pitch or as an impact substitute. Olivia Wingate has made an impression as a rookie while Narumi Miura stood out in her midfield role. You can bring up the defeat to the Thorns last week, but overall, Nahas and the entire club has done an exceptional job following an offseason highlighted mostly by departures.
