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    January 9, 2026

    Temwa Chawinga headlines 2025 NWSL Awards

    The two-time Golden Boot winner paced the league with 15 goals in 23 matches

    By Kathleen Gier

    SAN JOSE, Calif. — For the second consecutive season, Kansas City forward Temwa Chawinga finished atop the National Women’s Soccer League as the Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner.

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    Chawinga scored 15 goals in 23 matches and became the first player since Sam Kerr to record 15-plus goals in back-to-back seasons. Kerr also accomplished the feat a third year. Chawinga added three assists during the 2025 campaign and proved a constant threat on the league’s most powerful offense. The Current scored 49 goals across 26 matches and posted a plus-36 goal differential. Their 65 points set a league record.

    She and the league’s winners were recognized at San Jose Civic in a private but televised ceremony ahead of Saturday’s NWSL Championship match.

    Chawinga’s Kansas City teammate Lorena earned Goalkeeper of the Year with 14 clean sheets. The Brazilian allowed just 13 goals in the regular season and finished with a save percentage of 82.4.

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    Manaka Matsukubo of the North Carolina Courage took home the top award for midfielders. In her third NWSL season, Matsukubo scored 11 goals and added four assists. 

    Tara Rudd (McKeown) of the Washington Spirit earned Defender of the Year just three seasons after switching her position from forward. She recorded 140 clearances, 55 interceptions and 44 blocks while helping lead the Spirit to the NWSL Championship match. 

    Gotham FC’s Lilly Reale was recognized as the league’s top rookie. The defender played every match for the NWSL Championship-bound Bats, contributing a goal and an assist along the way. She played a key role as a playmaker out of the back for Gotham, completing 104 progressive passes. Only midfielder Jaelin Howell had more for Gotham with 105.

    Racing Louisville’s Bev Yanez was tabbed as Coach of the Year after leading her squad to its first NWSL Playoff appearance. Louisville finished 10-9-7 with 37 points. The club, which was founded in 2021, won three more games than in any other season and tied its second-lowest number of losses.

    Two-time NWSL champion Lauren Holiday presented the award bearing her name to Sam Hiatt for her work with Candlelighters for Children with Cancer. The Lauren Holiday Impact Award recognizes players making a difference in their community off the pitch.

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    Written by Kathleen Gier