Chawinga makes history: Two-time NWSL MVP, leads the Current

Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga has been awarded the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the second consecutive season. This achievement makes her the first player in league history to win the MVP award in two consecutive seasons. Chawinga received the recognition at the San Jose Civic Center, within the framework of the first formal awards ceremony of the NWSL, which celebrates its 12th season. Chawinga scored 15 goals this year, earning her a second consecutive NWSL Golden Boot. In the previous season, she scored 20 goals, setting a new single-season scoring record in the league. Only Sam Kerr has also won two NWSL MVP awards, in 2017 and 2019. Kerr obtained three consecutive Golden Boots from 2017 to 2019.

Bev Yanez was named NWSL Coach of the Year, after leading Racing Louisville to their best season and reaching the playoffs. She becomes the first former NWSL player to win the coaching award. Yanez surpassed the competition of Vlatko Andonovski, who guided the Kansas City Current to a record season in points (65) and victories (21). The Current also took home the Goalkeeper of the Year award, with Brazilian international Lorena. The Defender of the Year was Tara McKeown, from NWSL finalists Washington Spirit, and the United States, while Manaka Matsukubo, from North Carolina Courage, took home the league’s best midfielder award.