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McKeown earns the annual honor at inaugural NWSL Awards show
San Jose, Calif. (11/19/2025) – Washington Spirit star Tara McKeown has been named the NWSL Defender of the Year, the league announced today at the inaugural NWSL Awards in San Jose. McKeown earns the prestigious honor in just her third year as a center back and second year as a finalist.
“To be up for this award is not even something that I thought would happen three years ago when I did switch [from forward to defender] so I’m very grateful,” said McKeown in her acceptance speech. “I would not be here without my teammates always pushing me encouraging me to be the best and I love them so much.”
McKeown is preparing to conclude another stellar season on the Spirit back line this weekend in the 2025 NWSL Championship. One of Washington’s most consistent players across the past three seasons, the defender has played over 2,500 minutes across 31 matches this year. McKeown ranked in the top two among all defenders in the NWSL in interceptions this regular season with 50 as well as top four in both blocked shots and tackle success among defenders with a minimum of 1,000 minutes.
McKeown has helped the Spirit defending third to 12 clean sheets across all competitions in 2025, including just the second-ever shutout of the Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium in September. For her performance in that match, McKeown was named the NWSL Player of the Week.
The NWSL Awards are voted on by NWSL players, owners, general managers, coaches, members of the media and fans. McKeown’s win for Defender of the Year is the third end-of-year award win by a Spirit player in the last two seasons as Croix Bethune took home both Midfielder and Rookie of the Year in 2024.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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