Kim Little (right), four-time winner of the award

The National Women's Soccer League Player of the Month is a monthly women's soccer award given to individual players in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The honor is awarded to the player deemed to have put in the best performances over the past month by a panel selected by the league.

Selection

From 2013 to 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]

Winners

2013

Month Player of the Month Club Month's Statline
April Canada Christine Sinclair[3] Portland Thorns FC 2 G, 1 A in 3 games; Thorns 2–0–1 in April
May United States Brittany Cameron[4] Sky Blue FC 0.5 GAA, 4SHO in 6 games; SBFC 4–1–1 in May
June United States Lauren Cheney[5] FC Kansas City 6 G, 1 A in 5 games; FCKC 4–2–1 in June
July United States Erika Tymrak[6] FC Kansas City 3 G, 1 A in 6 games; FCKC 3–0–3 in July
August Mexico Mónica Ocampo[7] Sky Blue FC 3 G, in 3 games

2014

Month Player of the Month Club Month's Statline
April Scotland Kim Little[8] Seattle Reign FC 4G in 4 games; Reign 4-0-0 in April
May Scotland Kim Little[9] Seattle Reign FC 4G in 5 games; Reign 3-0-2 in May
June United States Nicole Barnhart[10] FC Kansas City 1.1 GAA, 4SHO in 4 games; FCKC 5-0-0 in June
July Scotland Kim Little[11] Seattle Reign FC 3G, 4A in 6 games; Reign 4-1-1 in July
August Denmark Nadia Nadim[12] Sky Blue FC 5G, 1A in 2 games; Sky Blue 4-0-0 in August

2015

Month Player of the Month Club Month's Statline
April United States Christen Press[13] Chicago Red Stars 4G, 1A in 2 games; Red Stars 1-0-1 in April
May United States Sofia Huerta[14] Chicago Red Stars 5G, 1A in 5 games; Red Stars 3-0-2 in May
June Scotland Kim Little[15] Seattle Reign FC 3G, 1A in 3 games; Reigh FC 3-0-0 in June
July United States Carli Lloyd[16] Houston Dash 3G in 3 games; Dash 2-1-1 in July (2-0-1 in Lloyd appearances)
August United States Crystal Dunn[17] Washington Spirit 6G, 1A in 6 games; Spirit 2-1-3 in August

2016

Month Player of the Month Club Month's Statline
April United States Tobin Heath[18][19] Portland Thorns FC 3 assists in 2 games; Thorns 1-0-1 in April
May United States Alyssa Naeher[20] Chicago Red Stars 3 shutouts, 1 goal allowed in 4 games; Red Stars 3-0-2 in May
June Canada Christine Sinclair[21] Portland Thorns FC 3 goals and 1 assist; Thorns 3-0-1 in June
July Argentina Estefania Banini[22] Washington Spirit 4 goals; Spirit 4-1-0 in July
August/Olympics Canada Christine Sinclair[23] Portland Thorns FC Both as "Olympian of the Month" and "Player of the Olympics"
September United States Allie Long[24] Portland Thorns FC 5 goals in 4 games; Thorns 4-0-0 in September

2017

Month Player of the Month Club Month's Statline
April United States Rose Lavelle[25] Boston Breakers 1 goal, 1 assist in 3 games; Breakers 2-1-0 in April
May Australia Sam Kerr[26] Sky Blue FC 2 goals, 2 assists in 5 games; Sky Blue FC 3-2-0 in May
June Australia Sam Kerr[27] Sky Blue FC 3 goals, 1 assist in 4 games; 30th career goal
July United States Megan Rapinoe[28] Seattle Reign FC 5 goals in 4 games; Reign FC 2-1-1 in July
August United States Alex Morgan[29] Orlando Pride 7 goals, 2 assists, 13 shots on goal, 11 chances created
September Brazil Marta[30] Orlando Pride 2 goals, 13 chances created, 85.5% passing accuracy

2018

Month Player of the Month Club Month's Statline
March United States Megan Rapinoe[31] Seattle Reign FC 1 goal, 1 assist, 6 shots on goal
April United States Sofia Huerta[32] Chicago Red Stars 2 goals, 6 shots on goal, 9 chances created
May England Rachel Daly[33] Houston Dash 4 goals, 9 shots on goal, 11 chances created
June United States Crystal Dunn[34] North Carolina Courage 2 goals, 9 shots on goal, 8 chances created
July United States Lindsey Horan[35] Portland Thorns FC 3 goals, 1 assist, 5 shots on goal, 5 chances created
August Australia Samantha Kerr[36] Chicago Red Stars 5 goals, 1 assist, 11 shots on goal, 8 chances created

2019

Month Player of the Month Club Statline Ref.
April United States Crystal Dunn North Carolina Courage 4 goals, 2 assists, 3 chances created in 3 games [37]
May Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars 4 goals in 3 games [38]
June Wales Jess Fishlock Reign FC 3 goals, 1 assist, 8 shots, 7 chances created in 3 games [39]
July United States Kristen Hamilton North Carolina Courage 5 goals and 2 assists; 4 goals in a single match [40]
August United States Christen Press Utah Royals FC 3 goals, 12 chances created [41]

2021

Month Player of the Month Club Statline Ref.
May United States Alex Morgan Orlando Pride 4 goals in 4 games [42]
June United States Lynn Williams North Carolina Courage 4 goals in back-to-back victories [43]
July United States Ashley Hatch Washington Spirit League-high 3 goals [44]
August United States Megan Rapinoe OL Reign League-high 4 goals [45]
September United States Bethany Balcer OL Reign 3 goals in 3 games, leading Golden Boot race [46]
October United States Margaret Purce NJ/NY Gotham FC 3 goals, 17 shots; brace vs. NC [47]

2022

Month Player of the Month Club Statline Ref.
May United States Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC Led scoring with 6 goals [48]
June United States Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC 5 goals; scored goal or assist in last 5 matches [49][50]
July England Ebony Salmon Houston Dash 4 goals; youngest NWSL player to score a hat-trick [51]
August United States Megan Rapinoe OL Reign Led scoring with 4 goals, 3 assists [1]
September/
October 		Brazil Debinha North Carolina Courage Hat-trick vs. NJY; 7 goals [52]

2023

Month Player of the Month Club Statline Ref.
March/
April 		United States Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC Hat-trick vs. KC; 4 goals, 4 assists [53]
May United States Savannah DeMelo Racing Louisville FC Brace vs. KC; 3 goals, 2 assists [2]
June United States Sophia Smith (2) Portland Thorns FC Hat-trick vs. WAS; 6 goals [54]
July United States Savannah McCaskill Angel City FC Challenge Cup brace vs. POR ; 3 goals
August United States Messiah Bright Orlando Pride Brace vs. NCC; 3 goals [55]
September/

October

United States Savannah McCaskill (2) Angel City FC 2 goals, 1 assist [56]

Multiple winners

As of January 23, 2024

The below table lists players who have won on more than one occasion.

Bold name*
 Indicates current NWSL player
Rank Player Team(s) Wins
1 Kim Little Reign FC
4
Megan Rapinoe* Reign FC, OL Reign
3 Crystal Dunn* Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage
3
Sam Kerr Sky Blue FC, Chicago Red Stars
Alex Morgan* Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave FC
Christine Sinclair* Portland Thorns FC
Sophia Smith* Portland Thorns FC
8 Sofia Huerta* Chicago Red Stars
2
Christen Press* Chicago Red Stars, Utah Royals FC
Savannah McCaskill* Angel City FC

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "OL Reign Forward Megan Rapinoe Named August Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Racing Louisville FC Midfielder Savannah DeMelo Named May Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair named league player of the month". Oregon Live. May 7, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  4. ^ "MAY'S BEST: BRITTANY CAMERON". Nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  5. ^ "JUNE'S BEST: LAUREN CHENEY". Nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  6. ^ "Erika Tymrak Voted NWSL Player of the Month". Our Sports Central. August 2, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  7. ^ "Monica Ocampo Voted NWSL Player of the Month". Sky Blue FC. August 22, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  8. ^ "KIM LITTLE VOTED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PLAYER OF THE MONTH". Nwslsoccer.com. May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  9. ^ Mayers, Joshua (June 4, 2014). "Reign FC's Kim Little wins NWSL Player of the Month — again". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  10. ^ "Nicole Barnhart voted Army National Guard Player of the Month". Our Sports Central. July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  11. ^ "KIM LITTLE VOTED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PLAYER OF THE MONTH". National Women's Soccer League. August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  12. ^ "NADIA NADIM VOTED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PLAYER OF THE MONTH". National Women's Soccer League. August 25, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  13. ^ "RED STARS' CHRISTEN PRESS VOTED PLAYER OF THE MONTH; Press scored four goals and added one assist over two games in April". nwslsoccer.com. May 1, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  14. ^ "RED STARS' SOFIA HUERTA VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE MONTH; Huerta, 22, has scored five goals over five games in May". nwslsoccer.com. June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  15. ^ "REIGN FC KIM LITTLE VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE MONTH; The Aberdeen, Scotland native registered three goals and one assist in the month". nwslsoccer.com.
  16. ^ "DASH'S CARLI LLOYD VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE MONTH; Lloyd, 33, helped Houston earn a 2-0-1 record in July to move into the number four spot in the standings". nwslsoccer.com. August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  17. ^ "SPIRIT'S CRYSTAL DUNN VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE MONTH; Dunn, 23, helped Washington earn a 2-1-3 record in August to help the Spirit earn a spot in the 2015 NWSL Playoffs". nwslsoccer.com. September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  18. ^ "Portland Thorns midfielder Tobin Heath named NWSL Player of the Month". OregonLive.com. May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  19. ^ "THORNS FC'S TOBIN HEATH VOTED PLAYER OF THE MONTH Heath's three assists in two games helped lead Portland to a 1-0-1 record during April". May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  20. ^ "Red Stars G Alyssa Naeher named player of the month for May". ESPN. June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  21. ^ "Christine Sinclair named NWSL Player of the Month for June". StumptownFooty.com. July 1, 2016.
  22. ^ "Washington Spirit Midfielder Estefania Banini Voted NWSL Player Of The Month". National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). August 2, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  23. ^ "PORTLAND THORNS FC FORWARD CHRISTINE SINCLAIR VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE OLYMPICS". NWSL. August 26, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  24. ^ "Portland Thorns midfielder Allie Long wins NWSL Player of the Month". September 29, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  25. ^ "Breakers midfielder Rose Lavelle named NWSL Player of the Month". bostonbreakerssoccer.com. May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  26. ^ "Sam Kerr named May Player of the Month". nwslsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  27. ^ Balf, Celia (June 30, 2017). "Sky Blue FC forward Samantha Kerr voted NWSL Player of the Month". Excelle Sports. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  28. ^ "Reign FC Forward Megan Rapinoe Named NWSL Player of the Month". Seattle Reign FC. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  29. ^ "August Player of the Month: Alex Morgan". NWSLsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. September 1, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  30. ^ "September Player of the Month: Marta, Orlando Pride". October 4, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  31. ^ Balf, Celia (April 4, 2018). "Seattle Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe voted March Player of the Month". Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  32. ^ Balf, Celia (May 2, 2018). "Chicago Red Stars midfielder Sofia Huerta voted April Player of the Month". Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  33. ^ Purdy, Jacqueline (June 1, 2018). "May Player of the Month: Rachel Daly". NWSLsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  34. ^ Balf, Celia (July 5, 2018). "June Player of the Month: Crystal Dunn". NWSLsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  35. ^ "July Player of the Month: Lindsey Horan". NWSLsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  36. ^ Balf, Celia (August 29, 2018). "August Player of the Month: Sam Kerr". NWSLsoccer.com. National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  37. ^ "April Player of the Month: Crystal Dunn" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  38. ^ "May Player of the Month: Sam Kerr" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  39. ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (July 3, 2019). "3⃣ goals in her last 3⃣ games..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Levine, Matthew (July 31, 2019). "July Player of the Month: Kristen Hamilton" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  41. ^ Levine, Matthew (September 4, 2019). "August Player of the Month: Christen Press" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  42. ^ "Orlando Forward Alex Morgan Named May Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  43. ^ "North Carolina Forward Lynn Williams Tabbed June Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. July 1, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  44. ^ "Washington Striker Ashley Hatch Named July Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  45. ^ "OL Reign Forward Megan Rapinoe Named August Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 2, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  46. ^ "OL Reign Forward Bethany Balcer Named September Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 8, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  47. ^ "NJ/NY Gotham FC Forward Margaret Purce Named October Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 4, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  48. ^ "San Diego Wave FC Forward Alex Morgan Named May Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 9, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  49. ^ "Portland Thorns FC Forward Sophia Smith Named June Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 23, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  50. ^ Svilar, Sam (June 27, 2022). "Sophia Smith named NWSL Player of the Month, Sam Coffey named Rookie of the Month for June". Stumptown Footy. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  51. ^ "Houston Dash Forward Ebony Salmon Named July Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  52. ^ "North Carolina Courage Forward Debinha Named September/October Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 14, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  53. ^ Clarke, Ryan (May 4, 2023). "Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith named NWSL player of the month". The Oregonian. National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  54. ^ "Portland Thorns FC Forward Sophia Smith Named June Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  55. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  56. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
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