NEW YORK (November 22, 2024) - The National Women’s Soccer League today announced Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga as the 2024 NWSL Most Valuable Player. The Malawi international is the first African-born player and the fifth international player to win the award.

Chawinga had a season for the history books, setting a new single-season league record with 20 goals breaking Sam Kerr’s 18-goal season in 2019. The striker scored in eight straight games from June 9 to September 7, tallying 10 goals including two braces. Chawinga capped off the season by becoming the first player to score against all opponents in a single NWSL season with 10 or more teams after finding the back of the net in a 4-1 win over San Diego Wave FC on October 19.

In her first season in the NWSL, Chawinga played in all but one of Kansas City’s 26 regular-season matches, scoring in 16 matches while leading the Current to the fourth seed in the playoffs with a 16-3-7 record.

The 26-year-old recorded three braces this season, including one brace and an assist in Kansas City’s 5-2 victory over the Seattle Reign on June 9.

Chawinga ranked first in the league in shots on target (64) and second in total shots (89). She tied for second in the league in dribbles completed (53), getting past defenders for a league-leading 18 goals scored from inside the box.

Chawinga led the Current to the club’s first-ever NWSL trophy, scoring both goals against Gotham FC to take the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup title on October 25.

The list of five MVP finalists was decided after a preliminary round of voting by owners, general managers, coaches, players and media. The finalists were then voted on by fans, owners, general managers, coaches, players and media.

Voting Breakdown:
Preliminary Round: Owners/GMs/Coaches (25%), Media (25%) and Players (50%)
Final Round: Players (40%), Owners/GMs/Coaches (25%), Media (25%) and Fans (10%)

Full list of NWSL MVPs
2013: Lauren Holiday, FC Kansas City
2014: Kim Little, Seattle Reign FC
2015: Crystal Dunn, Washington Spirit
2016: Lynn Williams, Western New York Flash
2017: Sam Kerr, Sky Blue FC
2018: Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC
2019: Sam Kerr, Chicago Red Stars
2021: Jessica Fishlock, OL Reign
2022: Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC
2023: Kerolin, North Carolina Courage
2024: Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current