SAN DIEGO — Kerolin, a 23-year-old Brazilian attacker in her second season with the North Carolina Courage, was voted the National Women’s Soccer League MVP.
The other finalists were Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith, the 2022 winner; San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma; Portland midfielder Sam Coffey; and Kansas City Current attacker Debinha. The league did not release voting data.
In the NWSL’s 11-season history, Kerolin is the first South American-born player to win the award and fourth from abroad, joining Australia’s Sam Kerr, who won twice, Wales’s Jessica Fishlock and Scotland’s Kim Little.
With 10 goals, Kerolin finished second behind Smith (11) in the scoring race.