The NWSL Golden Boot is awarded annually to the highest goal scorer in the regular season of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Lauren Holiday (2013) won the first Golden Boot in the NWSL's inaugural season. Three-time Golden Boot winner Sam Kerr (2017–2019) holds the record for most goals in a season with 18 in 2019. [1]
Season | Player | Nationality | Club | Goals | Games | Rate | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Lauren Holiday | United States | FC Kansas City | 12 | 18 | 0.67 | [2] |
2014 | Kim Little | Scotland | Seattle Reign FC | 16 | 23 | 0.70 | [3] |
2015 | Crystal Dunn | United States | Washington Spirit | 15 | 20 | 0.75 | [4] |
2016 | Lynn Williams [lower-alpha 1] | United States | Western New York Flash | 11 | 19 | 0.58 | [5] |
2017 | Sam Kerr | Australia | Sky Blue FC | 17 | 22 | 0.77 | [6] |
2018 | Sam Kerr (2) | Australia | Chicago Red Stars | 16 | 19 | 0.84 | [7] |
2019 | Sam Kerr (3) | Australia | Chicago Red Stars | 18 | 21 | 0.86 | [8] |
2021 | Ashley Hatch | United States | Washington Spirit | 10 | 20 | 0.50 | [9] |
2022 | Alex Morgan | United States | San Diego Wave FC | 15 | 17 | 0.88 | [10] |
2023 | Sophia Smith | United States | Portland Thorns FC | 11 | 17 | 0.65 | [11] |
Samantha May Kerr is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a striker for FA Women's Super League club Chelsea, and the Australia women's national team, which she has captained since 2019. Known for her speed, skill, and tenacity, Kerr is widely considered one of the best strikers in the world, and one of Australia's greatest athletes.
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) presents six annual awards to individual players. The Golden Boot award is presented to the top scorer at the end of the regular season, while the Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards are voted on by various league constituents. As of 2021, these awards are voted upon in two rounds: in the first round, players (50%), owners/general managers/coaches (25%), and media (25%) vote to determine the nominees; in the second round, players (50%), owners/general managers/coaches (20%), media (20%), and fans (10%) vote among the nominees to determine the winners.
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Sophia Olivia Smith is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for National Women's Soccer League club Portland Thorns FC and the United States national team. She played college soccer at Stanford University, helping the Cardinal win the national championship in 2019. Smith was the first overall pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft.
The 2018 National Women's Soccer League season was the sixth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the twelfth overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. The league is operated by the United States Soccer Federation and receives major financial backing from that body. Further financial backing is provided by the Canadian Soccer Association. Both national federations pay the league salaries of many of their respective national team members in an effort to nurture talent in those nations and take the financial burden off individual clubs.
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The 2019 National Women's Soccer League season was the seventh season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the thirteenth overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.
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Samantha Keala Staab is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center back for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She was drafted by the Washington Spirit in 2019 after playing collegiately for the Clemson Tigers.
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The NWSL Most Valuable Player award is presented annually to the best player in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
The NWSL Defender of the Year award is presented annually to the best defensive player in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).