NWSL Player of the Month

Last updated
Kim Little (right), four-time winner of the award Srfcvsbos-041614 13 (cropped).JPG
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.

Contents

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

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

2014

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

2015

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

2016

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

2017

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

2018

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

2019

MonthPlayer of the MonthClubStatlineRef.
April Flag of the United States.svg Crystal Dunn North Carolina Courage 4 goals, 2 assists, 3 chances created in 3 games [37]
May Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars 4 goals in 3 games [38]
June Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jess Fishlock Reign FC 3 goals, 1 assist, 8 shots, 7 chances created in 3 games [39]
July Flag of the United States.svg Kristen Hamilton North Carolina Courage 5 goals and 2 assists; 4 goals in a single match [40]
August Flag of the United States.svg Christen Press Utah Royals FC 3 goals, 12 chances created [41]

2020

The 2020 NWSL regular season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [42]

2021

MonthPlayer of the MonthClubStatlineRef.
May Flag of the United States.svg Alex Morgan Orlando Pride 4 goals in 4 games [43]
June Flag of the United States.svg Lynn Williams North Carolina Courage 4 goals in back-to-back victories [44]
July Flag of the United States.svg Ashley Hatch Washington Spirit League-high 3 goals [45]
August Flag of the United States.svg Megan Rapinoe OL Reign League-high 4 goals [46]
September Flag of the United States.svg Bethany Balcer OL Reign 3 goals in 3 games, leading Golden Boot race [47]
October Flag of the United States.svg Margaret Purce NJ/NY Gotham FC 3 goals, 17 shots; brace vs. NC [48]

2022

MonthPlayer of the MonthClubStatlineRef.
May Flag of the United States.svg Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC Led scoring with 6 goals [49]
June Flag of the United States.svg Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC 5 goals; scored goal or assist in last 5 matches [50] [51]
July Flag of England.svg Ebony Salmon Houston Dash 4 goals; youngest NWSL player to score a hat-trick [52]
August Flag of the United States.svg Megan Rapinoe OL Reign Led scoring with 4 goals, 3 assists [1]
September/
October
Flag of Brazil.svg Debinha North Carolina Courage Hat-trick vs. NJY; 7 goals [53]

2023

MonthPlayer of the MonthClubStatlineRef.
March/
April
Flag of the United States.svg Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC Hat-trick vs. KC; 4 goals, 4 assists [54]
May Flag of the United States.svg Savannah DeMelo Racing Louisville FC Brace vs. KC; 3 goals, 2 assists [2]
June Flag of the United States.svg Sophia Smith (2) Portland Thorns FC Hat-trick vs. WAS; 6 goals [55]
July Flag of the United States.svg Savannah McCaskill Angel City FC Challenge Cup brace vs. POR; 3 goals [56]
August Flag of the United States.svg Messiah Bright Orlando Pride Brace vs. NCC; 3 goals [57]
September/
October
Flag of the United States.svg Savannah McCaskill (2) Angel City FC 2 goals, 1 assist [58]

2024

MonthPlayer of the MonthClubStatlineRef.
March/
April
Flag of Brazil.svg Bia Zaneratto Kansas City Current 4 goals, 3 assists [59]
May Flag of Zambia.svg Barbra Banda Orlando Pride 7 goals, 1 assist [60]
June Flag of Malawi.svg Temwa Chawinga Kansas City Current 6 goals, 2 assists [61]
July Flag of the United States.svg Ally Sentnor Utah Royals 3 goals, 1 assist [62]
August Flag of the United States.svg Ella Stevens NJ/NY Gotham FC 3 goals, 2 assists [63]
September Flag of Malawi.svg Temwa Chawinga (2) Kansas City Current 4 goals; set record for scoring in consecutive games (8) [64]
October/
November
Flag of Malawi.svg Temwa Chawinga (3) Kansas City Current 5 goals in 4 matches; set all-time season goalscoring record (20); 1st player to score against all active teams in single season [65]

2025

MonthPlayer of the MonthClubStatlineRef.
March Flag of Malawi.svg Temwa Chawinga Kansas City Current 3 goals; tied own record for scoring in consecutive games (8) [66]
April Flag of Spain.svg Esther González Gotham FC 7 goals; 3 braces [67]
May Flag of Malawi.svg Temwa Chawinga (2) Kansas City Current goal in 3 consecutive matches; fastest in league history to 25 goals (34 games) [68]
June Flag of Spain.svg Esther González (2) Gotham FC 3 goals, 1 brace; 10 goals, 4 braces on season; has scored 10 of Gotham's 16 goals this season [69]

Multiple winners

As of July 30, 2025

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

Bold
Indicates current NWSL player
RankPlayerTeam(s)Wins
1 Temwa Chawinga Kansas City Current
5
2 Kim Little Reign FC
4
Megan Rapinoe Reign FC
4 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
9 Sofia Huerta Chicago Red Stars
2
Christen Press Chicago Red Stars, Utah Royals FC
Savannah McCaskill Angel City FC
Esther González Gotham FC

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  42. "2020 Champions Cup Presented by P&G and Secret Roster Rules" (PDF). NWSL. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  43. "Orlando Forward Alex Morgan Named May Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  44. "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.
  45. "Washington Striker Ashley Hatch Named July Player of the Month" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  46. "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.
  47. "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.
  48. "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.
  49. "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.
  50. "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.
  51. 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.
  52. "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.
  53. "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.
  54. 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.
  55. "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.
  56. "Angel City FC Midfielder Savannah McCaskill Named July Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 3, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  57. "Orlando Pride Forward Messiah Bright Named August Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports and August Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally Financial" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 1, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  58. "Angel City FC Midfielder Savannah McCaskill Named September/October Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 19, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  59. "Kansas City Current Forward Bia Zaneratto Named March/April Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports". National Women's Soccer League. May 7, 2024.
  60. "Orlando Pride Forward Barbra Banda Named May Player of the Month, Presented by EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  61. "Current's Temwa Chawinga named NWSL Player of the Month, presented by EA Sports" (Press release). Kansas City Current. July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  62. "Utah Royals Forward Ally Sentnor Named July Player of the Month, Presented by EA SPORTS and July Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  63. "NJ/NY Gotham FC Forward Ella Stevens Named August Player of the Month, Presented by EA SPORTS" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  64. "Kansas City Current Forward Temwa Chawinga Named September Player of the Month, presented By EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  65. "Kansas City Current Forward Temwa Chawinga Named September Player of the Month, presented By EA Sports" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  66. "Kansas City Current Forward Temwa Chawinga Named March Player Of The Month, Presented By EA Sports". National Women's Soccer League. April 3, 2025.
  67. "Gotham FC Forward Esther González Named April Player Of The Month, Presented By EA SPORTS". National Women's Soccer League. May 1, 2025.
  68. "Kansas City Current Forward Temwa Chawinga Named May Player Of The Month, Presented By EA Sports". National Women's Soccer League. June 5, 2025.
  69. "Gotham FC Forward Esther González Named June Player Of The Month, Presented By EA SPORTS". National Women's Soccer League. July 3, 2025.