Another Women's Super League season has come and gone, with fans and pundits alike enjoying heated debates over who the standout players have been. To settle all the arguments (or maybe stoke a few more), ESPN's Sophie Lawson has put together some alternative (and some not-so-alternative) awards, as well as a team of the season.
They may not have won the WSL title but, with 37 goals between them, there is little debate about the prowess of Man City's preferred front three.
Even with Kelly falling out of favor and Shaw taking a knock late in the season, City's attack has been very consistent this season, and when the trio got on the scoresheet, City routinely hammered their opponent.
revelation player of the year award: Jess Park (Man City)
Having impressed while on loan at Everton last season, Park has excelled this season. Although many would have expected to see her in her element in the open field, it has been her form at number 10, following Jill Roord's ACL injury, that has seen the 22-year-old flourish. .
Honorable mention: Khiara Keating (Man City).
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Best Goal Award: Lauren James vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (January 27, 2024)
It's been a great season of impressive goals, with every WSL team nominated for goal of the month at some point.
There have been some memorable winners: Chloe Lacasse against Man United in October; Shaw's lob against Everton in December; and Dan Turner's volley against City the same month. There were even two in the same game: Hemp's bike and Kelly's. Olympic (a direct goal from a corner) both came in the 2-0 win over Leicester City in February.
But on sheer skill alone, James's audacious finish for Chelsea at Brighton in February beats some tough competition.
Best Renaissance Award: Rachel Williams (Manchester United)
With five goals in the WSL, as well as six in both domestic cups, Williams, 36, has turned back the years this season to score some key goals for Marc Skinner's side.
A player who has been there, done that and bought several shirts along the way, Williams' form has been unexpected but very welcome for United.
Honorable mention: Becky Spencer (Tottenham Hotspur)
Utility Player Award: Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea)
Playing as a centre-back, central midfielder and striker this season, Nüsken has done everything Chelsea have asked of her on their way to a record fifth consecutive title.
Although she is best in the heart of midfield, the German international has taken up the defensive position despite not loving playing there, and has also scored eight goals in the WSL, vying to permanently occupy Chelsea's injury-hit No 9. . position. She has moved from one position to the next with ease, regardless of the different skills required to execute it, and has played a key role for Chelsea this season.
Clutch Player Award: Ella Toone (Manchester United)
Toone has a knack for appearing at the perfect moment with the perfect strike, as we saw in the FA Cup final against Spurs when his rocket at the end of the first half helped unlock the opposition and set the tone for United's victory. by 4-0.
From his wonder goal against Brighton at the start of the season to his winning goal against Leicester, Toone has delivered in the important moments when United have been struggling to find a way out.
Cult Hero Award: Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal)
A player who offers something different in attack to her teammates, Blackstenius has made a habit of scoring some silly goals this season and her legend has grown as a result.
There was an aerial ball against Brighton that the Swedish international needed a second bite to drill into the top left corner; and there was also the wildly illegal effort against Aston Villa that was somehow allowed to stand. Starting his run from an offside position, Blackstenius proceeded to handle the ball on the way down before scoring Arsenal's final goal in a 3-1 win in which calls for VAR grew louder. .
1:33
Lawson: Wrong socks and wrong tactics from Arsenal!
Sophie Lawson analyzes Chelsea's 3-1 win over Arsenal after the match was delayed due to a clash of socks.
The fashion award: Arsenal
This could be because of Arsenal's innovative kits and their partnership with designer Stella McCartney, but no, it's because of that completely bizarre night when they made the short trip to Stamford Bridge in March wearing the wrong color socks.
With both teams set to wear white socks, kick-off was delayed by 30 minutes as the man in the Arsenal kit had to run to Chelsea's megastore to buy enough blue and black socks for the away team so they wouldn't clash. It was a joyous moment but it seemed to shock the Gunners as they lost 3-1.
The effort award: Bristol City
It hasn't been a fun season for Bristol City on their return to the WSL. Considered the team most likely to return straight to the Championship, the Robins have done just that, struggling to claim just one win all season.
It was never going to be easy as the gap between the two tiers has increased since their last relegation in 2020-21, and Lauren Smith's young team were no match for the rest of the league.
Injuries to key and experienced players along the way haven't helped, but the Robins have tried to learn their lessons to develop and grow as best they can given the circumstances. And their effort cannot be faulted.
Best signing award: Jutta Rantala (Leicester City)
Leicester fans can be happy to see the end of this season after many ups and downs on and off the pitch. But despite his tiny points total, the signing of the 24-year-old Finnish international was a real highlight.
With six goals and five assists in 22 games, the summer signing from Vittsjö GIK hit the ground running in the WSL and consistently brought positivity and creativity to the Foxes' attack. Effortlessly forming a great partnership with Yuka Momiki, Rantala will be someone to keep an eye on next season.
0:39
Laurens excited about possible Miedema-Shaw partnership at Man City
Gab & Juls react to the news that Vivianne Miedema will leave Arsenal at the end of the season.
WSL Team of the Season
Best XI (4-3-3)
G.K.: Khiara Keating (Man City)
pound: Niamh Charles (Chelsea)
C.B.: Alex Greenwood (Man City)
C.B.: Jess Carter (Chelsea)
R.B.: Taylor Hinds (Liverpool)
HALF: Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)
HALF: Yui Hasegawa (Man City)
HALF: Sjoeke Nusken (Chelsea)
F.W.:Lauren James (Chelsea)
F.W.: Elisabeth Terland (Brighton & Hove Albion)
STREET: Khadija Shaw (Man City)
Coach: Matt Barba (Liverpool)
2nd XI (4-4-2)
Courtney Brosnan (Everton); Ève Périsset (Chelsea), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), CJ Bott (Leicester); Jess Park (Man City), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Marie Höbinger (Liverpool), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea); Lauren Hemp (Man City), Jutta Rantala (Leicester).
Coach: Robert Vilahamn (Tottenham)
While Keating has rightly received all the plaudits in goal, Everton's Brosnan has stood out for the Toffees in the midst of a difficult season and deserves a place in the second XI. Similarly, Liverpool's Fisk has been key to the Reds' defense as they rise up the table, but has been overshadowed by top-three players and her own teammate Hinds.
The forward areas have had the most competition and there is simply not enough room to praise the likes of Toone, Liverpool's Sophie Román Haug and Tottenham's Celin Bizet Ildhusøy.
On the bench, Manchester City's Gareth Taylor and Chelsea's Emma Hayes deserve credit for making the title race so interesting, but Beard is our pick as he has flexed his managerial muscles to firm up his Liverpool team and ensure that now they can compete with the big three. by finishing fourth. Likewise, Vilahamn's impact on a Spurs team battling relegation last season, especially when they reached the FA Cup final, cannot be underestimated, even if they have struggled for consistency.
