Jess Fishlock Named 2021 NWSL MVP, Presented by Budweiser
OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock was named the National Women’s Soccer League’s Most Valuable Player, presented by Budweiser, the league announced today. This is Fishlock’s first time winning this award since joining the Reign in their inaugural season in 2013.
In her first season back since suffering an ACL and double meniscus tear in July 2019, Fishlock played in 24 matches throughout the season, including one playoff match. She totaled an impressive 1,880 minutes played – the second most minutes played by any OL Reign player this year. The tenacious midfielder scored five goals and added four assists, including a brace against the Chicago Red Stars on October 10 to kickstart OL Reign’s 3-2 win.
Fishlock was named to Team of the Month three times this season, in May, August and October, and earned Save of the Week once. A veteran midfielder, Fishlock is invaluable to OL Reign in the middle of the field. She works the entire game, contributing offensively and defensively. She registered an impressive passing accuracy of 76.4 percent and providing 47 key passes across 23 games.
The Welsh legend’s offensive efforts this season were highlighted by a three-game scoring tear from July 24 to August 8. She first scored a game-winning goal in OL Reign’s 2-0 win over Orlando Pride, followed the next week with an assist in the team’s 2-0 victory against Racing Louisville FC. She concluded the stretch with a goal and two assists in the Reign’s 5-1 thrashing of the Houston Dash.
Her defensive efforts were just as notable, as she won 63 percent of tackles and provided 13 clearances and 21 interceptions throughout the season. She displayed her defensive skills fully on October 16 with a heroic goal line clearance against the Washington Spirit. The save went on to earn her Save of the Week honors.
Fishlock is the second Reign player to receive the NWSL MVP award, after Kim Little in 2014. The 2021 MVP award marks Fishlock’s first individual NWSL award since joining the league in 2013.
“If you speak to most people around the league and ask the coaches if they could take one player from our team, it would always be [Jess],” said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey. “I think that’s just a compliment of what she’s always brought to this team. The journey that she’s been on to get to this point has been phenomenal. I’m glad that she’s getting some recognition that she deserves.”
In addition to the league’s top accolade, Fishlock will receive a cash bonus from Budweiser to celebrate her efforts on the pitch this season.
Chicago forward Mallory Pugh finished second in MVP voting, while NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Margaret Purce was third, Washington striker Ashley Hatch was fourth and Portland Thorns FC midfielder Angela Salem was fifth.
The list of five 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 (50%), Owners/GMs/Coaches (20%), Media (20%) 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