The 2024 NWSL season was an emotional rollercoaster, with all 14 teams giving their all throughout the campaign. As the regular season concluded dramatically, the ongoing playoffs promise to crown the NWSL Championship winners. In the meantime, the nominees for the NWSL Awards across various distinctions have been revealed, with all eyes firmly on the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Among the standout nominees is Trinity Rodman of the Washington Spirit. But how does she compare to the other finalists—Orlando Pride’s dynamic duo of Barbra Banda and Marta, KC Current’s Temwa Chawinga, and Portland Thorns’ Sophia Smith? Let’s find out by crunching some numbers to see if Rodman truly stands out as a favorite.

But before we talk about the daughter of Dennis Rodman, let’s have a quick recap on her rivals with whom she’ll be competing against.

Temwa Chawinga – KC Current

The Malawian forward has been one of the biggest talking points of the 2024 NWSL season. There wasn’t a Matchday where the name Temwa Chawinga made the headlines. That’s actually because of her phenomenal goalscoring ability. Having notched 21 goals and 6 assists in over 26 games, Chawinga finished this year as the NWSL top-scorer.

Not to forget Tewa Chawinga single-handedly led her side to NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, scoring an emphatic brace in the final against Gotham FC. This surely makes her worthy to win the MVP award.

Barbra Banda – Orlando Pride

The Zambian international played one of the most crucial roles in the Pride’s emphatic NWSL Shield-winning season. Match after match, Banda has showcased remarkable performances. Speaking of numbers, the 24-year-old has notched 15 goals and 6 assists in over 23 games. Of course, she deserves such an honorable mention, considering Banda finished second in the NWSL top scorer list.

Marta – Orlando Pride

The Brazilian is one proper testament to age is just a number. Alongside Banda, Marta also played a significant role in Orlando Pride’s NWSL Shield victory. The 38-year-old managed to make over 24 appearances for the Florida-based club this season, while also notching 10 goals and an assist, making a fourth-place finish in the top scorer chart.

Sophia Smith – Portland Thorns

The 24-year-old has had a remarkable season not just on the international front after winning the gold at the Paris Olympics; but even on the domestic front. Though his side was knocked out by Gotham FC in the Playoffs campaign, she did manage to bag 12 goals and 6 assists in over 20 games of the regular season, also making a third-place finish in the top scorer charts.

Trinity Rodman – Washington Spirit

The elephant in the room, Trinity Rodman also had a season full of mixed bag. After enjoying glory in the Summer Games with Sophia Smith and her other USWNT teammates, the 22-year-old didn’t stop with her on-pitch antics. In over 24 appearances, she has netted 8 goals and also accumulated 6 assists. If it weren’t for her irregular appearances due to a few sit-outs from the team due to injuries, she would have secured a surge in her stats.

This undoubtedly places her in limbo regarding the NWSL MVP award. With such fierce competition among the other nominees, it’s clear the race for this prestigious accolade is incredibly tight. Whether Trinity Rodman can emerge victorious against these formidable contenders is up to you to decide. Share your thoughts in the comments below!