US-based women’s football star Temwa Chawinga and Zambian Barbara Banda are being tipped as front-runners for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the Most Valuable Player Award, according to a survey done by New York Times with the league’s club managers.
The Scorchers’ forward, who broke the league’s all-time scoring record after netting her 19th goal on Sunday, is being tipped as a favourite between the two.
According to nytimes.com, consistency, goal-scoring prowess and assists work to Temwa’s favour while for Banda, her team’s remarkable run, which has seen her team Orlando Pride lose just one match out of 24 and her contribution to their success, among others.
“Heading into the final months, the big debate remains: KC Current’s Temwa Chawinga or Pride’s Barbra Banda? They’re leading the way when it comes to the golden boot race, but they’re also the two clear candidates for this year’s MVP award,” reads an artcle carried by the New York Times.
The publication says almost all of the US women’s top-flight club managers believe that the battle will be between the two Africans with Temwa having a slight advantage.
Another publication ESPN says Temwa and Banda are favourites for the accolade.
In its analysis, ESPN puts Temwa on top position and Banda on second.
On Temwa the publication says: “Chawinga scored a goal in eight straight regular-season games, a league-record streak that ended in a scoreless draw against Orlando.
“Kansas City has struggled since the Olympic break, but Chawinga remains the constant, unstoppable force who changes games on a dime. She can do so from multiple positions on the field, too, providing Kansas City with attacking options on the left wing or from a center-forward role.
“Chawinga is also more than a goal scorer. Frequently, you’ll find her defending deep in her own half when Kansas City needs cover or gets pinned back. She ranks seventh in the NWSL in ball recoveries, per TruMedia. She’s a star scorer who does the dirty work, too.”
On Banda, ESPN says: “It’s harsh to say Banda is in a scoring slump and everything is relative to her ridiculous pace of 12 goals in her first 12 games in this league, but she hasn’t scored in four starts since returning from the Olympics. That quiet spell has led to Banda dropping off the pace of a tight race for both the Golden Boot, and it affects the MVP award, too.
“In reality, Banda is still arguably the best player in the NWSL [three general managers agreed in ESPN’s anonymous survey]. She might be the most complete forward in the league, too, one who can beat defenders on the dribble, in the air, or in behind through a ball over the top.
“Still, the MVP award season is partly about timing, and right now, that favors her friendly rival.”
It further says Trinity Rodman of Washington Spirit could also be a potential winner
