NWSL Defender of the Year explained

The NWSL Defender of the Year award is presented annually to the best defensive player in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Becky Sauerbrunn won the first three Defender of the Year awards from 2013 to 2015 and added her fourth in 2019. The most recent winner is Emily Sams (2024).

Winners

scope=col Seasonscope=col Playerscope=col Nationalityscope=col Clubscope=col class=unsortableOther finalistsscope=col class=unsortable
2013FC Kansas CityChristie Rampone, Leigh Ann Robinson[1]
2014 (2)FC Kansas CityAli Krieger, Julie Johnston[2]
2015 (3)FC Kansas CityLauren Barnes, Kendall Fletcher, Julie Johnston, Amy LePeilbet[3]
2016Seattle Reign FCArin Gilliland, Julie Johnston, Emily Menges, Becky Sauerbrunn[4]
2017North Carolina CourageSteph Catley, Ali Krieger, Becky Sauerbrunn, Casey Short[5]
2018North Carolina CourageAbby Dahlkemper, Julie Ertz, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett[6]
2019 (4)Utah Royals FCCasey Short, Lauren Barnes, Abby Erceg, Jaelene Hinkle[7]
2021NJ/NY Gotham FCSarah Gorden, Emily Menges, Carson Pickett, Alana Cook[8]
2022San Diego Wave FCAlana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Carson Pickett, Becky Sauerbrunn[9]
2023 (2)San Diego Wave FCSarah Gorden, Ali Krieger, Kaleigh Kurtz, Sam Staab[10]
2024Orlando PrideKaleigh Kurtz, Tara McKeown, Naomi Girma, Kylie Strom[11]

Wins by team

ClubWins
FC Kansas City3
North Carolina Courage2
San Diego Wave FC2
NJ/NY Gotham FC1
Orlando Pride1
Seattle Reign FC1
Utah Royals1

Wins by nationality

NationalityWins
10
1

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: FC Kansas City's Becky Sauerbrunn is NWSL's defender of the year. McDowell. Sam. 2013-08-22. The Kansas City Star. 2024-06-26.
    News: Becky Sauerbrunn Wins NWSL Defender of the Year. August 21, 2024. FC Kansas City. 2024-06-26.
  2. News: Sauerbrunn named best NWSL defender for 2nd straight year. August 26, 2014. The Equalizer. 2024-06-26.
  3. News: Sauerbrunn wins 3rd straight Defender of Year award. 2015-09-21. The Equalizer. 2024-06-26.
    News: 2015 NWSL Awards have arrived. Flatness. Eric. Reign FC. Medium. 2015-09-09. 2024-07-25.
  4. News: Barnes ends Sauerbrunn's run as top NWSL defender. 2016-10-05. The Equalizer. 2024-06-26.
  5. News: 2017 NWSL Defender of the Year: Abby Dahlkemper. 2017-10-19. The Equalizer. 2024-06-26.
    News: 2017 NWSL Awards Finalists Revealed. National Women's Soccer League. 2017-10-05. 2024-06-26.
  6. News: Defender of the Year: Abby Erceg, North Carolina Courage. 2018-09-27. Balf. Celia. National Women's Soccer League. 2024-06-26.
  7. News: Levine . Matthew . Utah Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn named 2019 NWSL Defender of the Year . October 30, 2019 . National Women's Soccer League. October 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191030221928/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/utah-royals-fc-defender-becky-sauerbrunn-named-2019-nwsl-defender-of-the-year.
  8. News: Gotham FC's Caprice Dydasco Named NWSL Defender of the Year. 2021-11-16. Hruby. Emma. Just Women's Sports. 2024-06-27.
  9. News: Naomi Girma named 2022 NWSL Defender of the Year. 2022-10-27. Lauletta. Dan. The Equalizer. 2024-06-27.
  10. News: Naomi Girma Wins NWSL Defender of the Year in Back-to-Back Seasons. 2023-11-08. Hruby. Emma. Just Women's Sports. 2024-06-27.
  11. Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams named 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year . November 21, 2024 . November 21, 2024 . National Women's Soccer League.

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