Juan Carlos Amorós and Ann-Katrin Berger were nominated for 2024 NWSL Awards

NJ/NY Gotham FC has been having an incredible season. They just beat Portland Thorns FC in the quarterfinals of the NWSL Playoffs. This comes after having the best season in team history. The Bats finished in third place with 56 points. They had a 17-4-5 record in the regular season as well. Outside of the regular season, they made the finals of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup and are moving on to the semifinals of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.

However, they have yet to win a trophy this year. Gotham FC will try to beat the Washington Spirit this weekend to make back-to-back championship games. Therefore, there is a chance the season can get even better.

In the meantime, the NWSL announced the 2024 Award Finalists. Last year, Gotham had three nominees: Ali Krieger was nominated for Defender of the Year, Jenna Nighswonger was nominated for Rookie of the Year, and Juan Carlos Amorós was nominated for Coach of the Year. Nighswonger and Amorós won for their categories.

Gotham FC was nominated for NWSL Awards

This season, Amorós was again nominated for Coach of the Year. It is well deserved after he led the team to their best finish in club history. Undoubtedly, the players signed for 2024 increased the quality and depth of the squad from 2023, which already had plenty of talent. Yet, the Spaniard's tactics and ability to utilize his players properly aided the team's ability to play well.

Amorós is up against other great coaches, so it is unknown whether he can win for the second straight year. The former USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski became the head coach of the Kansas City Current in 2024. Similar to the Gotham head coach in 2023, Andonovski took the Current from 11th place last season to fourth in 2024. Then, who can forget what Seb Hines has done with the Orlando Pride? He almost led them to an unbeaten season. Amorós has some tough competition.

The Gotham FC head coach was not the only nominee. Ann-Katrin Berger was nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year. The German international has been a game-changer for the Bats. At first, it was questionable as to why she was brought to the team. She immediately proved her worth and has performed extremely well all season long.

In 23 NWSL matches, including the postseason, Berger has 68 saves and eight clean sheets. She might not have the highest number of saves, but it helps that she has a superb defense in front of her. Of course, she could improve the numbers in the next playoff game. At the same time, the German has a save percentage of 82.5% in the regular season, good enough for second in the league. She also only allowed 16 goals.

Berger might have a better chance of winning her category compared to her coach. She is up against former Gotham player Mandy Haught and Orlando's Anna Moorhouse. The Pride's goalkeeper has stats similar to Gotham's so it might be a close race.

Nevertheless, it is always great to see Gotham FC nominated for the NWSL Awards. Everyone will have to wait and see whether either of them wins.