2024 NWSL Year-End Awards Announced
The excitement surrounding the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has reached fever pitch with the recent announcement of the season's top players, who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions throughout the year. These awards highlight the best of the best, with players shining brightly as they compete at high levels and drive the league's popularity.
Among the most coveted distinctions announced were the Best XI First Team and Second Team selections, as well as the announcement of the Rookie of the Year. These accolades spotlight exceptional talent and performance metrics gathered from player statistics, media analysis, and fan engagement.
Leading the pack is Croix Bethune of the Washington Spirit, who was named the Rookie of the Year, presented by Ally. Fresh from being selected as the third overall pick during the NWSL Draft held earlier this year, Bethune quickly proved her merit as one of the league's rising stars. She made her mark with five goals and ten assists over just 17 matches, making her one of the most impactful newcomers.
The accolades didn’t stop for Bethune; she was also included on the Best XI First Team, after achieving remarkable milestones this season. Her exceptional contributions culminated early on when she scored three goals within her first five matches. Notably, her triumph included providing her team with a thrilling stoppage time winner during the home opener at Audi Field.
Bethune’s prowess not only resulted in personal milestones but also shaped the team's success. After initially hitting her stride, she contributed to setting the NWSL record for assists by tying the single-season record with ten assists, showcasing her incredible playmaking skills.
Meanwhile, the 2024 NWSL Best XI awards were presented with the backing of Amazon Prime, which celebrated the excellence of athletes across the league. These unique awards were formulated from votes cast by players (40 percent), coaches, general managers and owners (25 percent each), along with fan votes contributing to 10 percent of the results.
The Best XI First Team included notable athletes such as goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger from Gotham FC, who posted impressive defensive stats with eight clean sheets. The roster also featured defenders Emily Sams (Orlando Pride) and Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), alongside midfielders and forwards like Marta (Orlando Pride) and Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), and standout scoring talent like Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda.
Among the highlights from the Best XI Second Team, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse was recognized for her remarkable ability to record 13 shutouts—setting new club and league records. Defenders Naomi Girma and Ryan Williams continue to show their much-valued defensive capabilities, helping their teams achieve significant feats this season.
Portland Thorns FC's Sophia Smith also made headlines with her return to the NWSL First Team Best XI, marking her third consecutive appearance on this prestigious list. Smith managed to net 12 goals and deliver six assists during her comeback season, showcasing her exceptional scoring ability, all the more significant since she was hampered by injury earlier this season.
Despite her injury setbacks, Smith made history by becoming the youngest player to achieve 50 goal contributions at 23 years old. She demonstrated extraordinary potential by recording multiple goal contributions across matches, showcasing not only her scoring ability but also her role as playmaker.
These awards reflect not only individual brilliance but also the hard work and perseverance demonstrated by players across the NWSL this season. From breakout performances from rookies like Bethune to the sustained excellence of veterans like Smith, the 2024 awards serve as a reminder of the league's competitive spirit and the incredible talent within it.
With the NWSL playoffs looming, teams are gearing up for what promises to be thrilling matchups, with strong performances from the best players keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Will these stars shine as brightly during the playoffs as they did throughout the regular season? Fans can hardly wait to find out.
