NJ/NY Gotham FC full-back Caprice Dydasco named NWSL Defender of the Year 2021

With the championship match of the National Women’s Soccer League only a few days away CBS, the tournament has begun to award year-end awards. On Monday, NJ/NY Gotham FC full-back Caprice Dydasco was named the NWSL’s 2021 Defender of the Year.

The list of finalists is decided after a preliminary round of voting by owners, general managers, coaches, players and the media. Dydasco was one of five finalists for the award, along with Chicago Red Stars defender Sarah Gorden, Portland Thorns midfielder Emily Menges, North Carolina Courage full-back Carson Pickett and CV Reign defender Alana Cook. .

Gordon took second place in the vote, followed by Menges, Pickett and Cook. The finalists are determined through a preliminary round of voting by owners, general managers, coaches, players and the media. The finalist teams are then voted on by fans (10%), owners, general managers, coaches (20%), media (20%) and players (50%). .

The Honolulu, Hawaiian native has made history as the first player of the Asian Pacific Islander to earn an award. She made 24 appearances for Gotham FC, winning over 60% of her tackles. Dydasco played very well for his club, making 49 clearances and 49 interceptions, the most of any defender in the league. She’s won Team of the Month title five times in the regular season, the most of any player this year.

Let’s take a look back at some of Dydasco’s key moments in 2021:

First NWSL goal

Debuting in 2015, Dydasco picked up an ACL injury with Washington Spirit during the 2016 NWSL Championship. After moving to Gotham FC, she suffered another ACL match ahead of the 2020 Challenge Cup, and was unable to compete with the team. in their semi-final. After a long road to recovery, Dydasco made her 100th appearance on the NWSL in the 2021 regular season and scored the first goal of her NWSL career.

Service specialist

Along with the first goal of his career, Dydasco has also recorded five assists this year – second best in the league – and is able to provide service to his teammates on the flanks and on positions.

Gotham FC were knocked out of the knockout stages against the Chicago Red Stars, one of the final teams to reach the finals, although Dydasco played better on the roster during the regular season.

The remaining awards

The league has four individual awards left to announce for the rest of the week. Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year and Player of the Year. Prizes are expected to be rolled out during the build-up of the NWSL Championship on November 20th CBS.