NWSL Awards Season Controversy
The awards season for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) often invites ridicule, and this year, it has sparked controversy yet again. Notably, U.S. defender Becky Sauerbrunn humorously dismissed her own accomplishment as Defender of the Year due to questionable voting practices—not once, but on two separate occasions.
Voting Oversights and Comparisons
As the voting for player awards in 2025 resumes, we see glaring oversights, notably an MVP candidate failing to secure a spot in the final five nominees for her position. In many ways, this bears a striking resemblance to the election chaos of the year 2000. While it’s entirely reasonable to support various players across different categories, the significant omissions from the shortlist are raising the same concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Awards Ceremony Details
The official accolades will be revealed during the NWSL Awards Ceremony set for November 19 in San Jose, California, at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Before the official announcements take place, here’s a look at how my votes would shape the MVP race alongside top honors for midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers, rookies, and coaches.
