Three of Gotham FC’s brightest stars have been recognized among the NWSL’s elite, earning nominations for the 2025 NWSL Awards. Forward Esther González, defender Lilly Reale, and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger were each named finalists after standout seasons that helped propel Gotham back into the NWSL Playoffs.
Esther González: Most Valuable Player nominee
González turned in one of the most dominant attacking seasons in Gotham and NWSL history. The Spanish striker scored 13 goals in 22 regular-season appearances, adding an assist, and was often the difference-maker in Gotham’s nine victories. She tied an NWSL record with four braces and had a historic midseason run, scoring seven goals in four matches — matching the league record for most goals in that span.
The Spanish World Cup winner also became just the third player since 2013 to net seven or more goals in her first seven games, joining Alex Morgan (2022) and Sophia Wilson (2024). González reached double-digit goals faster than any Gotham player in history, achieving 10 in only 13 matches, and joined Sam Kerr as only the second player in club history to hit double digits in a single season. Six of her goals opened matches, and 11 came in the first half, the second-most first-half strikes in league history.
Lilly Reale: Rookie of the Year nominee
Reale’s nomination for Rookie of the Year reflects a remarkable debut season, showcasing her seamless transition from collegiate center back to professional left back. A four-year star at UCLA, Reale earned multiple All-American honors, three conference Defensive Player of the Year awards, and won the Honda Sport Award in 2022 as the nation’s top women’s soccer player.
She brought that same consistency and competitive edge to Gotham, featuring in all 26 matches this season, starting 21. Reale anchored a defense that allowed just 25 goals, the second-fewest in the league, and joined Delanie Sheehan, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Sonnett as the only players in club history to appear in every match of a 26-game season.
Reale led Gotham in interceptions (36) and ranked second in tackles (54). Across the league, she ranked among the top 15 in several key categories, including successful take-ons, passes into the penalty area, and crosses. She scored her first professional goal against North Carolina and assisted fellow rookie Sarah Schupansky in a 3-0 win over Washington, marking Gotham’s first rookie-to-rookie goal since 2019. Her 12-tackle performance at Washington tied the NWSL record for most in a single game since 2016.
Her smooth transition to the professional game highlights both her versatility and Gotham’s defensive growth, proving she is already a cornerstone of the club’s backline.
Ann-Katrin Berger: Goalkeeper of the Year nominee
The reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year delivered another record-setting campaign in her first full season with Gotham FC, marked by excellence both in shot stopping and with her feet.
The German international recorded 10 shutouts, becoming only the eighth goalkeeper in league history to reach double digits and setting a new club record in the process. Her 0.78 goals-against average ranks 14th-best in NWSL history, while her command of the penalty area was unmatched — she led the league in clearances and punches (33), headed clearances (4), and possessions won (69), as well as having a save rate near 71 percent.
Equally impressive was her consistency: Berger conceded just four goals from outside the box all season, stabilizing Gotham’s backline and serving as the heartbeat of one of the league’s stingiest defenses. Her leadership and composure allowed the backline to play with confidence, making her a central figure in Gotham’s return to the postseason and a key part of their 2-1 win over the Kansas City Current in the quarterfinals last night.
The trio’s nominations underscore the balance and quality that have defined Gotham’s season; a blend of world-class finishing, emerging young talent, and steady leadership in goal. As the club continues its postseason run, González, Reale, and Berger represent not only Gotham’s present but the foundation of what could become a sustained era of success.
