The National Women's Soccer League Rookie of the Month is a monthly women's soccer award given to individual players in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) participating in their first season as a professional.
In 2022, the winner was selected by the NWSL Media Association, an organization of journalists who regularly cover the league. [1] Since 2023, the winner is selected by the NWSL Media Association and the league's broadcast talent. [2]
Month | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Club | Statline | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May | DF |
USA | Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave FC | 85% passing, 27 clearances, 4 blocks, 9 interceptions | [1] [3] |
June | MF |
USA | Sam Coffey | Portland Thorns FC | 85% passing led league in June; 6 shots, 1 assist | [4] [5] |
July | MF |
USA | Savannah DeMelo | Racing Louisville FC | 2 goals; leads all rookies in minutes played through July 31 | [6] |
August | FW |
MEX | Diana Ordóñez | North Carolina Courage | 5 goals, including 2 braces | [7] |
September/ October |
DF |
USA | Naomi Girma (2) | San Diego Wave FC | Two shutouts, captained team vs. NC | [8] |
Month | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Club | Statline | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March/ April |
FW |
USA | Alyssa Thompson | Angel City FC | Scored 11' into debut; 2G in 6 matches | [2] |
May | MF/DF |
USA | Jenna Nighswonger | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 2 goals, 1 assist, 16 duels won | [9] |
June | MF |
USA | Paige Metayer | Washington Spirit | 1 goal, 1 assist; tied for league scoring lead among rookies (3) | [10] |
July | MF/DF |
USA | Jenna Nighswonger (2) | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 2 regular season goals; 2 Challenge Cup goals and assists | [11] |
August | FW
|
USA | Messiah Bright | Orlando Pride | Brace vs. NCC; 3 goals in 4 matches | [12] |
September/ October | FW
|
USA | Alexa Spaanstra | Kansas City Current | 2 goals vs. NJY | [13] |
The below table lists players who have won on more than one occasion.
* |
Indicates current NWSL player |
Rank | N. | Player | Team(s) | Wins |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Naomi Girma* | San Diego Wave FC | 2 | |
Jenna Nighswonger* | NJ/NY Gotham FC |