SAN JOSE, CA – The NWSL rolled out the blue carpet for current and past players, their families, and legends of the game for the league’s inaugural awards show.
Players traded their jerseys for pants, skirts, and gowns for a day to celebrate the 2025 season.
The awards included Best XI, Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, MVP, and the Lauren Holiday Impact Award.
Best XI:
Coach of the Year: Bev Yanez, Racing Louisville
Defender of
the Year: Tara McKeown, Washington Spirit
Midfielder of the Year: Manaka Matsukubo, NC Courage
Goalkeeper of the Year: Lorena, Kansas City Current
Rookie of the Year: Lilly Reale, Gotham FC
MVP: Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current
Lauren Holiday Impact Award: Sam Hiatt, Portland Thorns
The vibes? In classic NWSL fashion, a mix of past, present, and future. The league paid tribute to players of the past like Briana Scurry, celebrated the vast talent that comprises the league, and looked ahead at what is to come.
The best parts of the day? The heartfelt reflections, friends and family reunions, and of course seeing the genuine shock of some of the award winners.
Savy King & Savannah DeMelo, First Responders, and Team Trainers
NWSL: “Honoring the first responders and team training staff who were there to provide life-saving medical care to Savy King and Savannah DeMelo when they experienced medical emergencies on the field.”
The most heart wrenching moment for both Savy King and Savannah DeMelo.
In her speech, King took the time to honor the first responders who saved her life after scary collapse on the field earlier this season.
“It’s super important to me to create this initiative,” King told ESPN. “This is a very personal topic for me, especially after what happened this year and having to receive CPR on the pitch. Every single locker room and every team and player should know CPR, just in the event that anything can happen at any time.”
The Growth of the Game & Reflections
Past players like Briana Scurry and Bev Yanez – now 2025 NWSL Coach of the Year – reflected on witnessing the first ever NWSL Award Show.
“I honestly didn’t think I would see it in my lifetime,” said Briana Scurry. “I’m 54, so we’re way ahead of schedule,” Scurry joked, commenting that she was just happy to see the growth with her own eyes.
After receiving her Coach of the Year award, Bev Yanez called it a “full circle moment” from her playing days, and had high praises about the growth of the league itself. “To be a part of the progression… to witness it is something I’m so incredibly grateful for,” Yanez said.
After receiving the Coach of the Year award, in true Coach fashion, Yanez was quick to mention that nothing is achieved without the right team of people.
“Look, I’m a firm believer that I’m only as good as the people around me. I’ve been supported not only from a staff perspective, but a player perspective and a club perspective,” said Yanez.
Friends & Family Reunions:
The audience wasn’t just filled with players, but also their family and friends who were all there to celebrate. The day was about more than the awards, and more than even celebrating the progress, it was about celebrating the players and all of their hard work.
In the background of the glamorous awards were players of past and present hugging each other, introducing each other to their family members, and enjoying being a part of the NWSL.
Players also had their own opportunity to celebrate each other – especially those on opposing teams.
“I’ve had the opportunity to play against them,” said Lilly Reale of her fellow Rookie of the Year nominees Maddie Dahlien and Riley Tiernan. “They’re awesome players, but they’re even better people,” she added. “Getting to know them as friends has been an even greater thing to come out of this.”
The Genuine Shock
Defender of the Year, Tara McKeown, had arguably the best reaction of all. After accepting her award, McKeown commented on her transition to defense.
“I used to think defending was boring, but now that I’m back there, it’s a lot, and it’s crazy all the time. I do have a lot of fun. I enjoy it, and I didn’t think I’d be here, but I’m grateful that I am.”
Another player feeling true shock? NWSL Rookie of the Year Lilly Reale, who said that her reaction to hearing her name called as the winner was “Where am I going? Like, up on stage?” That’s crazy.”
Reale then mentioned that she’ll be keeping the trophy in her parents house.
It was a day full of positivity, love, and appreciation, and it was all directed at the players – a truly beautiful sight for all NWSL fans to see.
