{"id":375410,"date":"2025-12-29T16:05:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/375410\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T16:05:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:05:08","slug":"sports-illustrated-fcs-2025-nwsl-end-of-year-womens-soccer-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/375410\/","title":{"rendered":"Sports Illustrated FC\u2019s 2025 NWSL End of Year Women\u2019s Soccer Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

In yet another thrilling year in women\u2019s soccer, the NWSL sure did its part in 2025. A quick recap: KC Current won their first NWSL Shield, the Current\u2019s Temwa Chawinga won the Golden Ball for the second straight season (and earned a Ballon d\u2019Or nomination<\/a>) and Gotham FC endured a thrilling run to clinch their second NWSL title in three years<\/a>. <\/p>\n

But what about all the highlights that happened in between? Here\u2019s a look at the best that that 2025 NWSL season had to offer.<\/p>\n

Although Jordyn Bugg\u2019s famous rocke<\/a>t came in a close second, Sofia Cantore\u2019s goal against the Houston Dash was such a slick team effort and the perfect way to welcome the Italian to the National Women\u2019s Soccer league. The build-up culminating in a sneaky back-heel from Cantore earns SI\u2019s Best Goal Award.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to imagine a more consequential moment in the playoffs than Ann-Katrin Berger\u2019s stoppage-time fingertip save that sent Gotham FC to the NWSL championship. The German keeper, who was voted the 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year, got her team over the line in style, ultimately ushering in the club\u2019s second NWSL title.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not only the best assist in the NWSL in 2025, but this might be one of the greatest assists of all time. It\u2019s incredible that Endo even attempted this, let alone had the awareness and vision to see the run of Maiara Niehues and hit the perfect pass, with the back heel of her cleat, to find her in stride. It\u2019s dreamy, audacious soccer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After securing the NWSL title, fans were treated to behind-the-scenes locker room celebrations of Gotham FC, including a screaming rendition of \u201cFeliz Navidad.\u201d Why, you might ask? Well, Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell told CBS<\/a> during the team\u2019s NYC City Hall celebration last month:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, we played in the locker room because the Spanish girls always want Spanish music and I think that’s the only one they could come up with that has English in it, too,\u201d Howell said. \u201cSo then we would just play every time we won and then it just became this thing so now we go crazy every time it comes on.”<\/p>\n

For those lucky enough to see it in person, this team goal celebration was a brilliant moment. Not only for the commitment from the entire Spirit squad to really buy into the celebration but also because Ashley Hatch clearly felt a little bit uncomfortable being the center of attention. Orchestrated by defender Esme Morgan and forward Trinity Rodman, Hatch committed to the bit and was happy to ham it up in front of 12,000 people.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Three goals, two assists and one championship trophy across 10 appearances for Gotham after signing in September is a ludicrous impact. Another central or inverted creative presence didn\u2019t feel like an obvious need for Gotham, but Shaw turned out to be the perfect star<\/a> to add to their roster and help them on a memorable playoff run.<\/p>\n

JAEDYN SHAW TO SEND @GothamFC<\/a> TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa5 @NWSL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/b1YnMH9MIJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Shaw really delivered in a big spot a journalist\u2019s dream of a quote. Her tone, her cadence, it was something that felt really unfiltered and real. A 21-year-old just being herself in a press conference. That\u2019s where the best stories come from. And, what made it all the better was Shaw and Gotham delivering on that promise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderdog, my ass!\u201d – Jaedyn Shaw https:\/\/t.co\/mL2vU4KCOG<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NbhABk6Yxv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jenna Tonelli (@jennatonelli) November 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Kansas City Current may not have taken home a first NWSL championship, but their Shield-winning regular season may just be the best-ever in the history of the league.<\/a> At the heart of that success was central defender Kayla Sharples, who started all but one game this season and had the most minutes of any outfield player on the Current (2,087).<\/p>\n

No doubt, the Current were not the same without Golden Boot winner and MVP Temwa Chawinga, but the record-breaking defense shouldn’t be forgotten in 2025. Kansas City set NWSL records for clean sheets (16), consecutive shutouts (9) and total minutes without conceding a goal (869). Sharples featured in every match in that run. A worthy winner of a spot in the NWSL’s Best XI for 2025 and perhaps an unlucky snub for Defender of the Year (which was won by Tara McKeown).<\/p>\n

CAREER YEAR FOR SHARPLES \ud83d\udc51@kaysharps<\/a> – a staple in our defense setting @NWSL<\/a> records for clean sheets (16), consecutive shutout minutes (869), consecutive shutouts (9) & shutouts at home (8) \ud83d\udc85 pic.twitter.com\/CHRYwH3zcV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 KC Current (@thekccurrent) November 10, 2025<\/a>More NWSL on Sports Illustrated