PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that midfielder Lindsey Horan has been named the 2018 NWSL Most Valuable Player. Horan, an NWSL Best XI selection in 2018, earns her first MVP award since joining the NWSL in 2016 and becomes the first Thorns FC player to be named MVP.
Horan, 24, who also was a 2017 NWSL Second XI selection, finished the 2018 regular season ranked third in the NWSL with 13 goals, while tallying two assists in 22 matches (22 starts) for Portland. The Golden, Colo., native, was the league leader in a number of key statistics, including touches (1,852), duels won (297), aerial duels won (141) and successful passes in the opponent’s half (493). Horan also ranked among the league leaders in successful passes ending in the final third (252) and dribbles completed (44). Additionally, Horan scored the game-winning goal and registered an assist in Portland’s 2-1 NWSL semifinal victory over Seattle Reign FC on Sept. 15.
Since joining Thorns FC in 2016, Horan has scored 22 goals and tallied four assists in 61 NWSL regular-season appearances, logging 5,408 minutes. In 2018, she established club single-season records for goals (13) and points (28). For her career in Portland, Horan ranks third all-time in points (48) and goals (22), fourth in games started (61) and minutes played (5,408) and fifth in games played (61).
In the postseason, Horan has appeared in four playoff matches for Thorns FC, tallying three goals and two assists. Her three goals rank tied for second all-time in career NWSL playoff goals. In 2017, Horan scored the game-winning goal in the NWSL Championship match and was named NWSL Championship MVP, helping Portland win its second league title. She is just the second player in league history to win both a championship game MVP award and a league MVP award.
The award was voted on by club officials, players, media that cover the league on consistent basis and fans.
All-Time NWSL Most Valuable Players:
2018: Lindsey Horan – Portland Thorns FC
2017: Sam Kerr – Sky Blue FC
2016: Lynn Williams – Western New York Flash
2015: Crystal Dunn – Washington Spirit
2014: Kim Little – Seattle Reign FC
2013: Lauren Holiday – FC Kansas City
