The first-ever NWSL Awards are taking place on November 19th at 7 pm EST on ESPN2. All of the major individual awards will be announced, including MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, and Coach of the Year. For now, we’re just going to focus on the Goalkeeper of the Year, and this year’s nominees could not be more deserving. Who will win? Let’s take a closer look.
Ann-Katrin Berger
The defending 2024 winner of the award has a chance to go back-to-back for the first time since Adrianna Franch did it in 2017 and 2018. Berger has been as steady as ever this season for Gotham FC. While the team has dealt with injuries, rotations to the starting lineups, and everything in between, AKB has been the one constant. Berger was second in goals allowed this season with 21, second in clean sheets with 10, and second in goals allowed per 90 minutes. She’s got a great case to win the award again, especially after seeing her save at the death to keep Gotham’s win over Orlando intact. She’s undoubtedly one of the best keepers in the world and fully deserves the nomination.
Claudia Dickey
Claudia Dickey had a phenomenal year for Seattle as part of the team that was 4th in goals allowed with only 29. Not only that, but she earned the title as the league’s saves leader with 88, four more than Mandy McGlynn in second. Dickey was also second in the league in save percentage at 77% and was fourth in the league in clean sheets with seven. Dickey’s shot-stopping abilities are on par with Ann-Katrin Berger’s, and the fact that she’s led the league in saves this year proves that. Dickey also received a few call-ups to the national team due to her great form for Seattle, which should be considered. The former North Carolina star has a great case, but I think she may lose out to the final nominee.
Lorena
Kansas City Current’s scouting department deserves another round of applause because of the gem they found in Lorena. The Brazilian came straight from Gremio in Brazil’s domestic league and has been dominant since stepping onto the pitch. Now, part of these numbers are because the Kansas City Current were miles ahead of everyone else in the regular season. Yet, it’s almost impossible not to give Lorena credit when you look at the numbers. Lorena finished first in goals allowed with only 13, first in goals allowed per 90 with 0.54, first in save percentage with 82.4% and first in clean sheets with 14. If this award were based on anything that happens in the playoffs, then Lorena would likely lose this award to Ann-Katrin Berger. However, this is usually an award based on the merits of the regular season. As long as that stays true, Lorena should win Goalkeeper of the Year in a landslide.
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