The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced its season-ending awards for the 2016 season. Western New York Flash forward Lynn Williams took home the NWSL Golden Boot as well as the Most Valuable Player award for her 11-goal, 5-assist performance this season.
Each season, the NWSL announces the following awards:
- Golden Boot,
- Rookie of the Year,
- Coach of the Year,
- Goalkeeper of the Year,
- Defender of the Year,
- Most Valuable Player, and
- Best XI.
Voting
Voting consists of two rounds: the preliminary that narrows down the finalists and the final round, which includes fan voting.
Owners, general managers, coaches, players, and NWSL media vote on the individual awards in the preliminary round to narrow down each category finalist with the following breakdown: players at 50%; owners, general managers, and coaches at 25%; and media also at 25%.
The final round includes fan votes (20%), as well as players (40%), and owners, general managers, and coaches (20%), and media (20%) to determine the individual awards as well as the Best XI.
2016 NWSL Golden Boot
Lynn Williams, Western New York Flash
Forward Lynn Williams was awarded the 2016 NWSL Golden Boot, given to the player with the most goals in the regular season.
Williams tallied 11 goals, tying with the Houston Dash’s Kealia Ohai for most goals in the regular season, but dished out five assists to Ohai’s four to take the award on the assist tie breaker.
2016 Rookie of the Year
Raquel Rodriguez, Sky Blue FC
Raquel Rodriguez, out of Penn State, was voted the 2016 NWSL Rookie of the Year. In 18 appearances for Sky Blue FC, Rodriquez scored one goal and garnered one assist for the New Jersey-based team. Sky Blue finished its fourth season in NWSL with a 7-8-5 record, finishing in seventh place.
Rodriguez joins previous winners Erika Tymrak (2013), Julie Johnston (2014), and Danielle Colaprico (2015) in taking home the Rookie of the Year honor.
2016 Coach of the Year
Mark Parsons, Portland Thorns FC
Mark Parsons was named 2016 Coach of the Year after leading the Portland Thorns FC to a 12-3-5 record and the team’s first NWSL Shield. In addition, Parsons helped the team return to the league playoffs after it failed to qualify for postseason play in 2015.
Parsons joined the thorns after coaching the Washington Spirit for three seasons. In 2014 and 2015, he led the Spirit to two straight playoff appearances.
Parsons joins past winners Vlatko Andonovski (2013) and Laura Harvey (2014, 2015).
2016 Goalkeeper of the Year
Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride
Ashlyn Harris is the 2016 Goalkeeper of the Year. The Pride keeper appeared in 15 matches for the expansion team and recorded four shutouts. Harris made 62 saves while posting a 1.33 goals-against-average (GAA) in 2016.
Harris garnered nine NWSL Save of the Week awards, voted on by the fans, in 2016.
Harris joins previous winners Nicole Barnhart (2013), Alyssa Naeher (2014), and Michelle Betos (2015) in taking home the award.
2016 Defender of the Year
Lauren Barnes, Seattle Reign FC
Lauren Barnes was named Defender of the Year, breaking Becky Sauerbrunn’s three-year reign as holder of the award. Barnes started every game for the Reign, and played all but 15 minutes of the season as she helped the team earn eight clean sheets.
The Reign were the No. 4 defense in the league in 2016, allowing 21 goals through 20 games and garnering five straight shutouts, including a streak that went to 531 minutes without conceding a goal.
Since its inception in 2013, Barnes becomes only the second player to win the award, with FC Kansas City’s Becky Sauerbrunn winning the award from 2013 to 2015.
2016 Most Valuable Player
Lynn Williams, Western New York Flash
Lynn Williams was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player for her 11-goal season in which she helped lead the Flash to the playoffs and an appearance in the league final. In addition to winning the NWSL Golden Boot, Williams racked up five assists in 19 appearances for the club.
Williams joins Lauren Holiday (2013), Kim Little (2014), and Crystal Dunn (2015), as Golden Boot winners who go on to earn MVP honors in the league.
NWSL Best XI
This season’s Best XI features three Portland Thorns, the most represented team. The Red Stars and Flash follow with two selections each. In total, seven players are first-time honorees.
Becky Sauerbrunn was named to her fourth straight Best XI squad while Lauren Barnes, Allie Long, and Christen Press are repeat selections from 2015.
Lynn Williams and Jessica McDonald will both feature in the league final for the Flash as they take on the Washington Spirit on Sunday, October 9.
Goalkeeper
- Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride
Defenders
- Lauren Barnes, Seattle Reign FC
- Arin Gilliland, Chicago Red Stars
- Emily Menges, Portland Thorns FC
- Becky Sauerbrunn, FC Kansas City
Midfielders
- Tobin Heath, Portland Thorns FC
- Allie Long, Portland Thorns FC
Forwards
- Jessica McDonald, Western New York Flash
- Kealia Ohai, Houston Dash
- Christen Press, Chicago Red Stars
- Lynn Williams, Western New York Flash
NWSL Second XI
The Second XI is made up of the next leading vote getters at each position not named to the Best XI.
Ali Krieger and Crystal Dunn will lead the Washington Spirit against the Western New York Flash in the league final on October 9.
Goalkeeper
- Alyssa Naeher, Chicago Red Stars
Defenders
- Julie Johnston, Chicago Red Stars
- Ali Krieger, Washington Spirit
- Christie Rampone, Sky Blue FC
- Casey Short, Chicago Red Stars
Midfielders
- Danielle Colaprico, Chicago Red Stars
- Vanessa DiBernardo, Chicago Red Stars
- Jess Fishlock, Seattle Reign FC
- Kim Little, Seattle Reign FC
Forwards
- Crystal Dunn, Washington Spirit
- Shea Groom, FC Kansas City