Washington Spirit Star Tara McKeown Wins NWSL Defender of the Year
Published on November 19, 2025 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. (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.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 19, 2025
- Two Washington Spirit Stars Named to NWSL Best XI Teams - Washington Spirit
- Seattle Reign FC Defender Jordyn Bugg and Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey Named to NWSL's 2025 Best XI Second Team, Presented by Amazon Prime - Seattle Reign FC
- Gotham FC's González, Reale, Sonnett Named to 2025 NWSL Best XIs - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Portland Thorns Defender Sam Hiatt Named Winner of the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Secures $50K Charitable Donation to Candlelighters Oregon - Portland Thorns FC
- San Diego Wave FC's Delphine Cascarino and Kenza Dali Named to 2025 NWSL Best XI Second Team - San Diego Wave FC
- Racing Louisville's Bev Yanez Wins NWSL Coach of the Year - Racing Louisville FC
- Gotham FC's Lilly Reale Named 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Washington Spirit Star Tara McKeown Wins NWSL Defender of the Year - Washington Spirit
- Houston Dash Defender Avery Patterson Named to NWSL Best XI First Team - Houston Dash
- Seattle Reign FC and Seattle Sounders FC Appoint Veteran Financial Leader Sean Coury as Chief Financial Officer - Seattle Reign FC
- Washington Spirit Forward Sofia Cantore Called up to Italy Women's National Team - Washington Spirit
- Bay FC Forward Karlie Lema Selected To U.S. U-23 Women's National Team Roster for a pair of European friendlies - Bay FC
- Gotham FC's Sarah Schupansky Earns U.S. U-23 National Team Call-Up - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Four Utah Royals FC Players Called up for November International Window - Utah Royals FC
- Washington Spirit Duo Called up to U.S. Women's National Team - Washington Spirit
- Avery Patterson Named to U.S. Women's National Team Roster - Houston Dash
- Racing's Emma Sears Earns Seventh USWNT Call-Up Ahead of Italy Friendlies - Racing Louisville FC
- Jameese Joseph Earns First Call-Up to United States Women's National Team - Chicago Stars FC
- Gotham FC Sends Five Players to U.S. Women's National Team for Upcoming Friendlies - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Bay FC Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz Selected to U.S. Women's National Team Roster For upcoming friendlies vs. Italy - Bay FC
- Washington Spirit Midfielder Narumi Miura Called up to Japan Women's National Team - Washington Spirit
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Washington Spirit Stories
- Two Washington Spirit Stars Named to NWSL Best XI Teams
- Washington Spirit Star Tara McKeown Wins NWSL Defender of the Year
- Washington Spirit Forward Sofia Cantore Called up to Italy Women's National Team
- Washington Spirit Duo Called up to U.S. Women's National Team
- Washington Spirit Midfielder Narumi Miura Called up to Japan Women's National Team
