Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós issued a rebuke to the Women’s Ballon d’Or voters who placed Ann-Katrin Berger second for the Women’s Yashin Trophy at the 70th Ballon d’Or Gala.
“Ann is the best goalkeeper in the world, even if somebody else wins that trophy,” Juan Carlos Amorós said after Berger helped Gotham to its first NWSL Shield on Sunday.
Barcelona Femení goalkeeper Cata Coll was awarded the Yashin Trophy at the London Palladium last Monday. Women’s Ballon d’Or voters are comprised of one journalist from each of the top 50 countries in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
Berger: ‘I Don’t Like Individual Awards, That’s Why I Play a Team Sport’
But Berger frankly couldn’t give a hoot about individual awards. The 36-year-old netminder is proud to be part of a goalkeeping department that has achieved tremendous team success across multiple competitions in 2026.
Berger may have played the starring role, but Shelby Hogan also made a difference in keeping clean sheets in three 1-0 regular-season victories. Collectively, the duo recorded 14 shutouts and limited opponents to a league-low 23 goals against, though Berger will be the first to tell you that every statistic or award is a product of team-wide success.
Berger: Gotham Has a ‘Special’ Goalkeeper Union
“I really don’t like individual awards,” Berger said after Sunday’s 2-0 Shield-clinching victory over the Utah Royals. “That’s why I play a team sport. So it’s not just me as a goalkeeper. It is not just Ann, Shelby or Teagan [Wy] or the other staff members. It’s also the defenders.
“They make it easier for me as well to look good sometimes. We have a special goalkeeper union, that’s for sure. I really enjoy working with them because we really hope for the best for each other. We’re pushing every single day. Even sometimes, we get on our nerves a little bit too much in the goalkeeping sessions, but that’s what improves us, and that’s why we stick together. When I had to miss some games, I knew that Shelby will be there and she will be good for the team. That’s why a team just makes everything better and easier.”
Berger finished the regular season with a league-best 0.85 goals-against average, and her 11 shutouts only trailed Washington Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver’s 12, though MacIver played in all 30 regular-season games compared to Berger’s 27 league appearances.
For more insight on the attributes that separate Berger from other top-class goalkeepers, check out this August interview with Gotham FC assistant goalkeeper coach and team culture lead Michelle Betos.
Berger Predicts a Bright Future for Rookie Teagan Wy
Though rookie goalkeeper Teagan Wy is yet to make her NWSL debut, Berger anticipates a promising future for the former California Golden Bears standout.
“I think over the couple of years, Teagan will be a really good goalkeeper,” Berger stated.
Wy is currently in the first year of her three-year deal. The 22-year-old previously helped the United States women’s under-20 team achieve the bronze medal at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and earned second-team All-ACC honors in the same year.
With Berger and Hogan pushing her in training sessions along with head goalkeeper coach Brody Sams and Betos, Wy could be in line for a long NWSL career.
Berger Will Be Key as Gotham Looks To Close Out 2026 With a Historic Treble
For now, the starting goalkeeper gloves belong to Berger, who once again will be vital in Gotham’s quest to repeat as NWSL champions and finish the 2026 calendar with a domestic treble.
Gotham FC could become the first club to win the NWSL Challenge Cup, NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship in a single season.
The Bats will host the eighth-seeded Seattle Reign FC at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, November 8, at Sports Illustrated Stadium in the opening round of the 2026 NWSL Playoffs.
ABC and ESPN Deportes will carry the national broadcast, which will also be available to stream on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers.
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