Here are my 2021 National Women’s Soccer League award winners and Best XI.
Moat Valuable Player – Eugenie Le Sommer, OL Reign: Wide open race in the sense there is no specific standout this season. Le Sommer, for me, was the player that began connecting the dots for the Reign when they got their season turned around in July. At her best, defenses had no answer for the French midfielder, and the Reign had noticeable dropoff when she was not on the field. Credible arguments can be made for at least five other players but this is where I finally landed.
Defender of the Year – Caprice Dydasco, NJ/NY Gotham FC: The 19th pick in the loaded 2015 draft and the sixth and final selection from UCLA, Dydasco finally honed her game and stayed healthy to become a fantastic, two-way threat for Gotham at outside back. Dydasco’s second season ended when she tore her ACL in the NWSL Championship playing for the Spirit and she tore it again before finally finding her best self in 2021.
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