Gotham FC’s historic season has brought individual recognition for several of the players and staff responsible for its success, with six members of the club named finalists for the 2026 NWSL End-of-Year Awards on Monday.
Midfielders Jaelin Howell and Rose Lavelle, defender Tierna Davidson, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, rookie forward Jordynn Dudley and head coach Juan Carlos Amorós are all in contention for individual honors following Gotham’s first NWSL Shield-winning campaign.
The nominations come after Gotham finished the regular season with an (18-5-7) record and a club-record 61 points, securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The club also conceded a league-low 23 goals across 30 matches, establishing itself as the NWSL’s best defensive side.
Howell and Lavelle are both finalists for Midfielder of the Year, while Davidson is among the candidates for Defender of the Year. Berger is nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year, Dudley for Rookie of the Year and Amorós for Coach of the Year.
Howell earned recognition after becoming one of the league’s most reliable defensive midfielders. The 27-year-old started all 30 regular-season matches, becoming the first player in Gotham history to accomplish the feat in a single season. Her 2,593 minutes also established a new club record.
Her influence was particularly evident defensively, as she finished second in the NWSL with 65 tackles won and third with 96 tackles attempted. Howell also contributed two assists while helping protect a Gotham backline that allowed the fewest goals in the league. Her performances earned her a return to the U.S. women’s national team.
Lavelle joins her teammate in the Midfielder of the Year category after another influential season in Gotham’s attack. The reigning NWSL Championship MVP recorded four goals and three assists in 25 appearances, providing a creative outlet in the final third.
The 31-year-old also completed 36 dribbles, the eighth-highest total in the league, as she continued to use her technical ability to break down opposing defenses. Despite missing time during the campaign, Lavelle remained an important part of the midfield as Gotham secured its first Shield.
Davidson’s nomination recognizes her contributions at both ends of the field. The Gotham captain recorded three goals and an assist in 29 appearances, establishing new career highs in goals and showcasing her threat on set pieces.
Beyond her attacking contributions, Davidson was instrumental in Gotham’s possession-based approach. She completed 1,770 passes, the second-most in the NWSL, while finishing fifth in the league with 2,281 touches. Her leadership helped guide a defense that surrendered just 23 goals throughout the regular season.
Berger is also among the finalists after another standout campaign between the posts. The German international recorded 11 clean sheets in 27 starts, surpassing her own club record of 10 set during the 2025 season.
Her 84 saves ranked among the league’s best, while her 14.36 expected goals saved placed second in the NWSL. Berger also recorded 15 wins, playing a major role in Gotham’s defensive consistency and its run to the top of the standings.
Dudley rounds out the player nominations after making an immediate impression during her first professional season. The rookie finished with four goals and three assists in 25 appearances, with three of her goals proving to be game winners.
Her ability to take on defenders was another defining feature of her campaign. Dudley completed 41 dribbles, tied for third-most in the NWSL and the highest total among rookies. She also drew 61 fouls, more than any other player in the league, as opposing defenses frequently struggled to contain her.
The forward’s nomination gives Gotham a chance to claim the Rookie of the Year award for a second consecutive season. Defender Lilly Reale won the honor in 2025.
Amorós completes the club’s representation after overseeing another successful campaign in charge. The Spaniard guided Gotham to its first Shield, a club-record 61 points and the league’s best defensive record, while securing the top playoff seed for the first time in franchise history.
The nomination adds to a growing list of accomplishments for Amorós, who has continued to establish Gotham among the NWSL’s leading clubs. He also earned the league’s Coach of the Month award for October/November after Gotham went (2-1-1) across its final four regular season matches to secure the Shield.
Gotham’s six finalists will now await the results of the final round of voting, which includes input from players, club representatives, media members and fans. Fan voting accounts for 10% of the final results, with players carrying a 40% share and club representatives and media each accounting for 25%.
Voting closes Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 8 p.m. ET. The winners will be announced during the 2026 NWSL Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
