Jess Fishlock named MVP for 2021 NWSL season
Jessica Fishlock of Wales in action Wales v Denmark International Women's Friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 13th April 2021. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
Wales legend Jess Fishlock has been voted as the NWSL’s MVP for the 2021 season.
It’s the first time the OL Reign midfielder has won the award in the eight season’s she’s been in the league, having joining in 2013 from Bristol Academy.
Fishlock scored five and provided four assists as the Reign finished the regular season in second place, behind Cascadia rivals Portland Thorns, with a record of 13-8-3.
The team experienced a resurgence when Laura Harvey – who won coach of the year – returned as head coach in July.
The 34-year-old was a key part of the side’s revival. She was named in the NWSL Team of the Month on three separate occasions — in May, August and October.
Thanks to the likes of Fishlock they climbed to runners up from eight place with a record of 7-3-2.
Their second place finished earned them a bye in the first of the play offs and a home in the semi-final, which they lost to Washington Spirit.
Eugene Le Sommer gave them the lead on three before Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez turned things around for the capital club.
Chicago Red Star’s Mallory Pugh finished second and Margret Purce of NJ/NY Gotham FC finished in third place.
Fishlock will likely now join up with the Wales squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Greece and France as they aim to reach a first major tournament.
