NEW YORK (November 12, 2024) – The National Women's Soccer League today announced the finalists for the 2024 NWSL Awards including the Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, presented by Ally, and Coach of the Year. New this season, the NWSL has introduced a category honoring the Midfielder of the Year.
Utah Royals FC goalkeeper Mandy Haught has been named a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year, while forward Ally Sentnor is a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
Haught, 25, had a standout season between the sticks for the Utah Royals this season. In her 24 starts, she finished fourth in the NWSL with 84 saves, breaking the Royals single-season record of 80, set by Nicole Barnhart in 2018. The goalkeeper also led the league in prevented goals, 8.8. Haught was nominated for Save of the Week eight times, winning once for her save against Washington Spirit on June 8th. She earned her first senior USWNT call-up in October, and marked her debut with a clean sheet against Argentina.
Sentnor, 20, enjoyed a productive rookie year (3g, 4a) and was the focal point of the Utah Royals attack prior to summer additions, Mina Tanaka and Cloé Lacasse. The forward scored two of her three goals from outside the box, establishing herself as a long distance threat. She captained USA at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, leading her squad to a bronze medal finish, and earning herself the Bronze Ball, an award for the third best individual performance during the tournament. Returning to the club from international duty after a five-match absence, Sentnor logged four straight 89+ minute starts recording one assist in the final month of play.
The 2024 NWSL Awards are voted upon in two rounds, with fans having the opportunity to participate in the final round of the voting process. The final round will also include voting for the 2024 NWSL Best XI, presented by Amazon Prime, honoring a first and second team representing the top 22 players in the league.
Fans wishing to vote on the individual award winners, Best XI First Team and Best XI Second Team can access the voting ballot here.
All votes must be submitted by Friday, November 15, at 3 p.m. ET.
In the preliminary round of voting, players, owners, general managers, coaches and the media voted on individual awards to determine the finalists. The preliminary round used a weighted scale, broken down by players (50%), owners/GMs/coaches (25%) and media (25%).
The finalists for 2024 NWSL Awards are below.
Most Valuable Player: Barbra Banda (ORL), Temwa Chawinga (KC), Marta (ORL), Trinity Rodman (WAS), Sophia Smith (POR)
Defender of the Year: Naomi Girma (SD), Kaleigh Kurtz (NC), Tara McKeown (WAS), Emily Sams (ORL), Kylie Strom (ORL)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Ann-Katrin Berger (GFC), Mandy Haught (UTA), Anna Moorhouse (ORL)
Midfielder of the Year: Croix Bethune (WAS), Vanessa DiBernardo (KC), Lo’eau LaBonta (KC), Marta (ORL), Ashley Sanchez (NC)
Rookie of the Year, presented by Ally: Croix Bethune (WAS), Claire Hutton (KC), Ally Sentnor (UTA)
Coach of the Year: Juan Carlos Amorós (GFC), Vlatko Andonovski (KC), Seb Hines (ORL)
The final round of voting uses a weighted scale of players (40%), owners/GMs/coaches (25%), media (25%) and fans (10%).
Award winners will be announced in the days surrounding the 2024 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel. The match, set for Saturday, November 23, kicks off at 8 p.m. ET at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri and will air live on CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+. In addition to the 2024 NWSL Awards, the winner of the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, will be announced during the week. The league will also honor the NWSL Championship MVP during a post-match presentation following the conclusion of Saturday’s match. For more information on the NWSL Championship, or to purchase tickets to the match, click here.
