Manaka Matsukubo Named NWSL Player of the Month

Published on November 6, 2025 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release

North Carolina Courage midfielder Manaka Matsukubo
(North Carolina FC, Credit: Lewis Gettier)

Manaka scored a league-leading five goals during the final month of the 2025 NWSL regular season, including a historic hat trick against Bay FC. The three-goal haul in the Courage's penultimate match of the season marked the youngest hat trick in league history.

The Courage's young star finished the season third in the Golden Boot race with 11 goals, and her 15 overall goal contributions ranked as the second most in the league, trailing only the reigning league MVP, Kansas City's Temwa Chawinga.

Manaka is the fifth Courage player to take home the league's monthly award, joining Debinha, Lynn Biyendolo, Kristen Hamilton, and Crystal Dunn, who took home the award twice during her tenure in Courage Country. Manaka is the first Courage player to win the award since Debinha in 2022.

North Carolina Courage midfielder Manaka Matsukubo (Lewis Gettier)

National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 6, 2025

• Reign FC Faces the Orlando Pride for Quarterfinal Match at Inter&Co Stadium on Friday - Seattle Reign FC
• Washington Spirit to Kick off Playoffs with Home Quarterfinal at Audi Field - Washington Spirit
• 2025 Playoff Match Guide: Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign, Presented by Orlando Health - Orlando Pride
• Five Orlando Pride Team Members Nominated for the Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 - Orlando Pride
• The Assist: Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign FC - November 7, 2025 - Orlando Pride
• Manaka Matsukubo Named NWSL Player of the Month - North Carolina Courage
• Bay FC Midfielder Taylor Huff Named NWSL Rookie of the Month for October/November, Presented by Ally - Bay FC
• Racing's Bev Yanez Named NWSL Coach of the Month for October and November - Racing Louisville FC
• Olympic Gold Medalist Jaedyn Shaw Signs Contract Extension with Gotham FC - NJ/NY Gotham FC

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Other Recent North Carolina Courage Stories

• Manaka Matsukubo Named Finalist for NWSL MVP, Midfielder of the Year
• Manaka Matsukubo Named NWSL Player of the Month
• Courage Close Season with a Win, Fall Short of Playoff Goal
• Courage end season with win in front of sold-out stadium
• Preview: NC Courage vs. Gotham FC