Gotham FC and U.S. Women’s National Team defender Lilly Reale was named the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year on Wednesday night at the inaugural NWSL Awards in San Jose, California.
Reale earned the honor over fellow finalists Riley Tiernan of Angel City and Maddie Dahlien of the Seattle Reign, becoming the second Gotham player in three seasons to win the award after Jenna Nighswonger in 2023, and capping a debut campaign that established the 22-year-old as one of the league’s most complete first-year performers.
Her nomination reflected a seamless transition from collegiate center back to professional left back, a shift she managed with poise and immediate impact. Before arriving in New Jersey, Reale was a four-year standout at UCLA, collecting multiple All-American honors, three conference Defensive Player of the Year awards, and the 2022 Honda Sport Award as the nation’s top women’s soccer player.
She carried that pedigree into her rookie season, appearing in all 26 regular season matches and starting 21. She became just the fourth player in club history to feature in every game of a 26-match season, joining, Nighswonger, Delanie Sheehan, and Emily Sonnett. Her durability anchored a Gotham defense that allowed only 25 goals, the second fewest in the league, while she earned consistent U.S. Women’s National Team call-ups.
Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós praised her reliability and maturity during a season in which her influence was felt daily.
“Lilly has been consistent throughout the whole year, playing in every single game the team has played this year, whether it was in the NWSL or helping the club win the first Concacaf W Champions Cup,” Amorós said. “Her performance level has been amazing on the ball and off the ball. Also, her maturity and leadership, when you watch a Gotham match, you never think that Lilly is in her first season playing as a professional soccer player.”
Reale also delivered an impressive statistical résumé. She led Gotham in interceptions (36) and ranked second in tackles (54). Across the league, she finished inside the top 15 in several key categories, including successful take-ons, passes into the penalty area, and crosses. She added attacking contributions as well, scoring her first professional goal against North Carolina and assisting fellow rookie Sarah Schupansky in a 3–0 win over Washington, the Bats’ first rookie-to-rookie scoring connection since 2019. Her 12-tackle performance at Washington tied the NWSL’s single-game record dating back to 2016.
Her postseason form matched her regular-season consistency, as she started both the quarterfinal and semifinal, helping Gotham keep a clean sheet in the semifinal win over Orlando to advance to the championship match.
During her acceptance speech, Reale thanked her teammates, coaches, and family for supporting her throughout a demanding but rewarding first year.
“I want to take a moment to thank my Gotham family for investing in me not only as a player but also as a person,” Reale said. “You have really brought the best out of me, taking care of me this year. There’s been a lot of ebbs and flows, but I really appreciate you guys, and especially my teammates. You are my best friends. I really appreciate you guys and everything that you have given me this year. Lastly, to my family, you mean everything to me, and I really don’t know where I would be without you.”
Reale’s seamless adjustment to the professional game, combined with her versatility, poise, and two-way impact, already makes her a foundational piece of Gotham’s backline. Her debut season ranks among the most complete rookie campaigns in recent NWSL history, now recognized with the league’s top first-year honor.
