Temwa Chawinga chases a third straight MVP: the NWSL names its five finalists, with Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson

The NWSL announced the finalists for its 2026 individual awards on Monday, and the top category has a clear headliner: Temwa Chawinga, the Kansas City Current forward who has won MVP in each of the last two seasons, is among the five candidates again and could collect a third consecutive trophy. She is joined by Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage), Janine Sonis (Denver Summit) and Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns), who won the award in 2022.

Sonis is the only player on two lists: besides MVP, she is a finalist for Defender of the Year. Sanchez arrives as the regular-season Golden Boot winner. And Gotham FC is the club with the biggest presence, with six finalists across five categories, including head coach Juan Carlos Amorós.

Rodman, with record-tying numbers

The Spirit forward finished the regular season with 12 goals and 8 assists and started every one of her team's matches. According to the club, nine of her 20 goal contributions decided games (five winning goals and four winning assists), tying the league's single-season record. Rodman, an MVP finalist two years ago, has 40 goals and 26 assists in 127 regular-season appearances over six seasons in Washington. On Sunday she scored twice and added an assist in the 4-1 quarterfinal win over Portland that put the Spirit in the semifinals for the third straight season.

The finalists, category by category

• MVP: Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage), Janine Sonis (Denver Summit) and Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns).
• Defender of the Year: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Kate Del Fava (Utah Royals), Sarah Gorden (Angel City), Janine Sonis (Denver Summit) and Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave).
• Goalkeeper of the Year: Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash) and Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC).
• Midfielder of the Year: Croix Bethune (Kansas City Current), Kenza Dali (San Diego Wave), Jaelin Howell (Gotham FC), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC) and Mina Tanaka (Utah Royals).
• Rookie of the Year: Jordynn Dudley (Gotham FC), Kat Rader (Houston Dash) and Mimi Van Zanten (San Diego Wave).
• Coach of the Year: Juan Carlos Amorós (Gotham FC), Jimmy Coenraets (Utah Royals) and Jonas Eidevall (San Diego Wave).

How the vote works and when the awards are handed out

The vote has two rounds. In the first, which produced the finalists, players (50%), owners, general managers and coaches (25%) and media (25%) cast ballots. The final round adds the public: players 40%, owners, GMs and coaches 25%, media 25% and fans 10%. The fan vote, which also picks the Best XI first and second teams, closes on Wednesday, November 11 at 8 p.m. ET.

The winners will be revealed on Wednesday, November 18 at the NWSL Awards show, broadcast on ESPN2 from 6:30 p.m. ET, three days before the championship final, scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at Audi Field in Washington. The Lauren Holiday Impact Award will be presented at the same event. Before that, the Spirit host Utah Royals on Saturday, November 14 at noon ET in the semifinals.

Sources: NWSL (official release published by Utah Royals FC), Washington Spirit, Just Women's Sports, Field Level Media.