Multiple Gotham FC players were nominated for the 2025 NWSL Awards | OneFootball

This has been a great week so far for NJ/NY Gotham FC. First, the Bats upset the Kansas City Current in the quarterfinals of the NWSL Playoffs on Sunday, winning 2-1 after 120 minutes of play. Plus, it was the first win in all competitions against the Current. Many, including some here at Skyscraper Blues, did not think they would win, but they did, and in a convincing manner, too.

Then, on Monday, the NWSL released the 2025 NWSL Award finalists, which included multiple Gotham FC players. Esther González was nominated for the Most Valuable Player, Ann-Katrin Berger was nominated for the Goalkeeper of the Year, and Lilly Reale was nominated for the Rookie of the Year.

Gotham FC has multiple end-of-the-year nominations

Arguably, González would be in the running for the MVP of Gotham FC. She alone won a few of the nine matches that the team won in the regular season. But regarding the league MVP, it is highly unlikely she would win. Moreover, the fact that she was hot and cold throughout 2025 made it slightly surprising that she was nominated.

Nevertheless, Temwa Chawinga will probably win the MVP after her superb season with Kansas City. But González's nomination will ideally give her a confidence boost if she is able to play in the semifinals.

On the other hand, it makes sense that Berger was nominated again for the Goalkeeper of the Year for the second season in a row. While her performances took a little bit of a dip compared to 2024, when she won the award, she was still one of the best goalkeepers in the NWSL.

The German international was second in goals allowed average, allowing just 0.87 goals per game. Berger only allowed 22 goals, which was the second fewest for those who played the majority of the season. The only player who was ahead of her was the Current's Lorena, who is the likely frontrunner for this year's award.

Finally, Reale is nominated for the Rookie of the Year, which was expected as the season progressed. Of the three Gotham nominees, she has the highest chance of winning, for her defensive work and how she stepped into the left-back spot with ease made her an obvious player to go up for the award.

Of course, it was just two years ago when former forward-turned-defender Jenna Nighswonger won the Rookie of the Year in her first of the two seasons with the Bats. Whether Reale can win is yet to be seen, for she could have been stronger in the attack. The NWSL tends to lean toward attackers when it comes to the Rookie of the Year Award, and Nighswonger had that going for her despite playing as a left-back.

Riley Tiernan of Angel City FC will probably win the award, but one never knows. Perhaps enough of those who vote will shock everyone and vote for Reale. Regardless, Gotham FC is lucky to have her.