Earlier today, Gotham FC defender Lilly Reale was named 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year.
The 22-year-old Boston native was considered the leading candidate going into the ceremony. Reale, who joined Gotham from UCLA in January, appeared for Gotham in all 26 regular-season matches, and is a key player in a defense that allowed just 25 goals in league play. Reale earned her first United States women's national team call-up by Emma Hayes in June, and now has four caps for her country.
Courtesy NWSL
Reale wasn't the only Gotham player honored today, as striker Esther González was named to the 2025 NWSL Best XI. Her 13 goals are the second-most in the National Women's Soccer League, behind the 15 from Golden Boot-winning Temwa Chawinga of Kansas City Current.
González was a finalist for the 2025 NWSL Most Valuable Player, which was won by Chawinga for the second year in a row. In addition, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was a finalist for the 2025 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year. That award was won by Kansas City's Lorena, who led the league in clean sheets (14), save percentage (81.3), and fewest goals allowed (15 in 25 matches).
Courtesy NWSL
Reale becomes the fourth player from the club to be named Rookie of the Year, joining Jenna Nighswonger (2023), now with Arsenal WFC, Imani Dorsey (2018), and Rocky Rodríguez (2016).
Reale was also named to the NWSL Best XI Second Team along with teammate Emily Sonnett.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Megha Gupta
