Gotham FC Earns Six NWSL Award Nominations After Historic Shield-Winning Season

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Nov. 9, 2026) - Six Gotham FC standouts have been recognized among the league's best, earning nominations for the 2026 NWSL End-of-Year Awards following a historic campaign that saw the club capture its first NWSL Shield.

Midfielders Jaelin Howell and Rose Lavelle, defender Tierna Davidson, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, forward Jordynn Dudley and coach Juan Carlos Amorós each earned nominations after helping Gotham FC secure the league's best regular season record and the No. 1 seed in the NWSL Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel.

Fans wishing to vote on the individual award winners, Best XI First Team and Best XI Second Team can do so here. All votes must be submitted by Wednesday, November 11, at 8 p.m. ET.

The nominations recognize a landmark season for Gotham FC, which claimed its first NWSL Shield with an 18-5-7 record and club-record and league-leading 61 points. The reigning champions also conceded a league-low 23 goals and are pursuing a second consecutive NWSL Championship and third in four years.

Here's more about Gotham FC's nominees:

Jaelin Howell: Midfielder of the Year (nominee)

A commanding presence in Gotham FC's midfield, Howell delivered a record-setting campaign defined by defensive dominance, consistency and durability.

Howell and Jess Carter each appeared in all 30 regular season matches, setting a new single-season club record. Howell became the first player in club history to start all 30 matches and logged a club-record 2,593 minutes, cementing her role as a cornerstone of Gotham FC's Shield-winning campaign.

Howell established herself among the NWSL's most effective ball-winners, ranking second in the league in tackles won (65) and third in tackles attempted (96). She also ranked third in fouls drawn (57), consistently disrupting opposing attacks and helping Gotham FC control possession in midfield.

The midfielder added two assists while anchoring a team that conceded a league-low 23 goals throughout the regular season. Her outstanding league form earned her a return to the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Rose Lavelle: Midfielder of the Year (nominee)

One of the league's most dynamic attacking midfielders and the reigning NWSL Championship MVP, Lavelle continued to showcase her creativity and technical ability throughout Gotham FC's historic regular season.

The U.S. international recorded four goals and three assists in 25 appearances, including 22 starts, providing a consistent attacking presence in Gotham FC's midfield.

Lavelle ranked eighth in the NWSL with 36 completed dribbles, demonstrating her ability to navigate tight spaces, break through opposing defenses and create opportunities in the attacking third.

The veteran midfielder logged 1,892 minutes during the regular season, playing an important role in Gotham FC's run to its first NWSL Shield.

Tierna Davidson: Defender of the Year (nominee)

Gotham FC captain Tierna Davidson delivered one of the most complete seasons of her professional career, combining defensive leadership with career-best attacking production.

Davidson scored three goals, surpassing her previous single-season career high of one, and added an assist in 29 appearances. Two of her goals were game-winners, highlighting her ability to deliver decisive contributions on both ends of the field.

The U.S. international was equally influential in possession, ranking second in the NWSL in completed passes (1,770), third in pass attempts (1,977) and fifth in touches (2,281). Her 89.5% passing accuracy ranked sixth among eligible players in the league.

Davidson started 25 matches and logged 2,257 minutes, anchoring a Gotham FC defense that allowed a league-low 23 goals and helped the club secure its first regular-season title.

Ann-Katrin Berger: Goalkeeper of the Year, presented by e.l.f. (nominee)

A cornerstone of Gotham FC's league-leading defense, Berger delivered another exceptional season between the posts, breaking her own club record for shutouts and establishing herself among the NWSL's top goalkeepers.

The German international recorded 11 shutouts, the second-most in the league, surpassing the club record of 10 she established in 2025. She also earned 15 goalkeeper wins in 27 starts, logging 2,430 minutes throughout the regular season.

Berger's shot-stopping ability was among the best in the NWSL. She recorded 84 saves, tied for sixth-most in the league and second among goalkeepers whose teams qualified for the playoffs. She also ranked second in expected goals saved (14.36), conceding just 23 goals against 37.36 expected goals against.

Her consistency helped Gotham FC finish the regular season with the league's best defensive record, conceding an average of just 0.77 goals per match.

Jordynn Dudley: Rookie of the Year, presented by Ally (nominee)

Forward Jordynn Dudley made an immediate impact in her debut NWSL season, emerging as one of the league's most dangerous young attackers and playing a pivotal role in Gotham FC's Shield-winning campaign.

Dudley recorded four goals and three assists in 25 appearances, including 20 starts. Three of her four goals were game-winners.

The rookie distinguished herself with her ability to take on defenders and generate attacking opportunities. Her 41 completed dribbles tied for third-most in the NWSL and led all rookies, while her 26 shots on goal ranked second among first-year players and tied for 10th overall.

Dudley also led the entire league in fouls drawn (61) and fouls drawn in the final third (21), consistently putting opposing defenses under pressure and creating dangerous attacking opportunities for Gotham FC.

Her nomination gives Gotham FC the opportunity to claim its second consecutive NWSL Rookie of the Year award after defender Lilly Reale earned the honor in 2025.

Juan Carlos Amorós: Coach of the Year (nominee)

Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós guided the club to another historic milestone in 2026, leading Gotham FC to its first NWSL Shield and the best regular season finish in franchise history.

Under Amorós, Gotham FC finished with an 18-5-7 record and a club-record 61 points, securing the No. 1 seed in the NWSL Playoffs for the first time. The club also established itself as the league's top defensive team, conceding an NWSL-low 23 goals in 30 matches, an average of just 0.77 per game.

Amorós' leadership helped Gotham FC secure its fourth consecutive postseason berth while continuing to build on the club's championship success. His squad's balance across the field is reflected in five individual player nominations spanning midfield, defense, goalkeeper and rookie honors.

The Spaniard also earned NWSL Coach of the Month honors for October/November after guiding Gotham FC to a 2-1-1 record over its final four regular season matches, including consecutive victories to secure the Shield.

With the club's first regular season title secured, Amorós and Gotham FC remain in pursuit of a second consecutive NWSL Championship and a third league title in four seasons.