The National Women’s Soccer League announced its finalists for the 2026 NWSL Awards on Monday morning.
Six members of Gotham FC have been nominated for the final round – Tierna Davidson for Defender of the Year, Ann-Katrin Berger for Goalkeeper of the Year, Jaelin Howell and Rose Lavelle for Midfielder of the Year, Jordynn Dudley for Rookie of the Year and Juan Carlos Amorós for Coach of the Year.
South Ward Central was among media outlets that participated in the preliminary round voting and has been invited to participate in the final round voting process for the 2026 NWSL End-of-Year Awards.
Full List of 2026 NWSL Award Finalists
Most Valuable Player: Temwa Chawinga (KC), Trinity Rodman (WAS), Ashley Sanchez (NC), Janine Sonis (DEN), Sophia Wilson (POR)
Defender of the Year: Tierna Davidson (GFC), Kate Del Fava (UTA), Sarah Gorden (LA), Janine Sonis (DEN), Kennedy Wesley (SD)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Ann-Katrin Berger (GFC), Jane Campbell (HOU), Jordan Silkowitz (BAY)
Midfielder of the Year: Croix Bethune (KC), Kenza Dali (SD), Jaelin Howell (GFC), Rose Lavelle (GFC), Mina Tanaka (UTA)
Rookie of the Year: Jordynn Dudley (GFC), Kat Rader (HOU), Mimi Van Zanten (SD)
Coach of the Year: Juan Carlos Amorós (GFC), Jimmy Coenraets (UTA), Jonas Eidevall (SD)
The breakdown for the final round of voting is Players (40%); Coaches, GMs, BOG (25%); Media (25%), Fans (10%).
Final-round voting will close on Wednesday, November 11, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans wishing to vote on the individual award winners, Best XI First Team and Best XI Second Team can access the voting ballot here.
The winners will be honored during NWSL Championship Week in Washington, D.C., as part of the 2026 NWSL Awards, on Wednesday, November 18.
In the interest of transparency, South Ward Central has published its full preliminary round ballot.
How South Ward Central Voted During the Preliminary Round
Most Valuable Player
- Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit)
- Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC)
- Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage)
- Barba Banda (Orlando Pride)
- Janine Sonis (Denver Summit)
Defender of the Year
- Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC)
- Janine Sonis (Denver Summit)
- Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC)
- Kate Del Fava (Utah Royals)
- Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit)
Goalkeeper of the Year
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC)
- Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC)
- Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns FC)
Midfielder of the Year
- Croix Bethune (Kansas City Current)
- Kenza Dali (San Diego Wave FC)
- Jaelin Howell (Gotham FC)
- Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC)
- Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC)
Rookie of the Year
- Mimi Van Zanten (San Diego Wave FC)
- Kat Rader (Houston Dash)
- Jordynn Dudley (Gotham FC)
Coach of the Year
- Juan Carlos Amorós (Gotham FC)
- Jonas Eidevall (San Diego Wave FC)
- Jimmy Coenraets (Utah Royals)
The breakdown for the preliminary round of voting is Players (50%), Board/GM’s/Head Coaches (25%), Media (25%).
To be eligible for consideration for year-end awards, players must meet the following minimum regular-season appearance requirements:
Best XI and Individual Awards: 15 matches (50% of regular-season matches), Rookie of the Year: Seven matches (25% of regular-season matches).
South Ward Central will release its final-round ballot for the NWSL player, coach and Best XI awards after the November 18 ceremony takes place.
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