Lilly Reale’s incredible season with Gotham FC ends in Rookie of the Year honors

Gotham FC’s Lilly Leal Wins Rookie of the Year

Emotions ran high on Wednesday night when it was revealed that Gotham FC defender Lilly Leal received the Rookie of the Year award at the NWSL’s annual ceremony.

Excitement, pride, a touch of doubt.

But as Leal stepped onto the stage and made eye contact with her best friend and teammate Ryan Campbell, who presented her with the award, her nerves calmed.

“It was definitely a surreal moment,” Leal shared shortly after her win. “I really wasn’t expecting it.”

Leal triumphed over finalists Maddie Darian from Seattle Reign and Angel City’s Riley Tiernan. Each ruled the field with impressive rookie performances this season.

This recognition was a significant moment for Leal, who has experienced quite the journey since signing her first professional contract back in January.

Earlier this June, she attended a camp for the U.S. Women’s National Team and will represent the national team again in a friendly later this month.

At just 22, Leal has proven to be a reliable defender for Gotham, participating in all 28 games, including the recent semifinal match against the Orlando Pride, the defending champions. Her efforts helped lead Gotham to its second NWSL championship in three years.

“I owe a lot to my teammates, my coaches, and the entire Gotham organization,” Leal reflected. “They’ve really invested in me as a player and a person. I’ve definitely made strides this year not only on the field but also in personal growth. Experiencing these big milestones makes everything more meaningful.”

Although this year has been remarkable for Leal, she’s not finished yet; Gotham is gearing up to face the Washington Spirit this Saturday in San Jose, California, for the NWSL title.