Gotham FC's Juan Carlos Amorós is the 2023 NWSL Coach of the Year.
The 39-year-old earned the award in just his first season at Gotham. Amorós was named head coach a little over one year ago, after a dysfunctional Gotham finished dead last in the table. This year the Goths not only made the postseason, they advanced to face OL Reign tomorrow in the NWSL Championship Final: For the first time in club history, Gotham will be playing for the title.
According to a statement released by Gotham, Amorós received 50% of the player vote in the preliminary round.
He’s not the only member of the club to earn league honors: Defender Jenna Nighswonger was voted 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year. In addition, Ali Krieger, Lynn Williams, and Nighswonger were named to the NWSL’s Best XI.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for a team that managed just four wins in 22 matches played in 2022. The 2023 edition of the Goths might not have the star power of the Reign or the San Diego Wave, but the team’s cohesive style of play and strong identity carried them into the playoffs — and earned them their first postseason win in club history when they blanked the North Carolina Courage 0-2 on the road.
Gotham once again logged an upset win last weekend when they defeated the Portland Thorns 0-1 in extra time at Providence Park. A Gotham whose defense looked questionable at times during the regular season have yet to allow a goal in postseason play.
Now Amorós, Nighswonger, Kreiger, Williams, and the rest of the squad look to continue their improbable run when they face the Reign tomorrow night at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
The NWSL Championship Final will take place on Saturday, November 11 at 8 pm ET, and will be broadcast on CBS Sports.
