Gotham FC forward Jordynn Dudley is putting together an impressive debut season that could lead to her being named the 2026 NWSL Rookie of the Year in November.
On Thursday, Dudley was named the NWSL’s Rookie of the Month for September after she scored two goals in four starts during the month. It was her second Rookie of the Month award after previously earning that distinction in April.
Dudley recorded the first brace of her career in a 2-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage on September 19 at First Horizon Stadium.
Juan Carlos Amorós on Dudley: ‘She Makes the Difference’
“She makes the difference,” Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said following the victory over North Carolina. “We spoke before the game that she can win the games if she stays in the game. It’s very difficult because, again, I don’t know today how many fouls she suffered, and she needs to navigate that side of the game.
“But at the same time, I think both of her goals, one obviously is fantastic technical ability, but then the second one as well – it shows her personality and winning mentality to get that.”
The 21-year-old has scored four goals and registered three assists through 25 matches played in her first NWSL season. Her seven completed dribbles during the month of September tied her for fourth-most in the league.
Dudley Replaced on USWNT U-23 Training Camp Roster After Suffering Injury
Dudley and two of her teammates, forward Jaedyn Shaw and goalkeeper Teagan Wy, were named to the 24-player United States women’s under-23 national team for October’s training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has been tracking Dudley’s progress closely.
“I think Jordynn Dudley is a young prospect who’s had a great year again,” Hayes said on Tuesday. “Let me go and see her do it at the under-23 level.”
On Thursday, Dudley suffered an injury while training with Gotham FC that will rule her out of the upcoming USWNT U-23 camp. She was replaced on the USWNT under-23 roster by Angel City FC midfielder Carina Lageyre.
An update on Dudley’s injury is not expected before Saturday, when Amorós addresses the media prior to Gotham’s match against Angel City FC on Sunday afternoon.
The USWNT under-23s will also play a pair of matches against the Dominican Republic U-23 Women’s National Team, first on October 9 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time and then on October 13 at noon Eastern Time. Both matches will be held at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville.
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