The 22 year old No. 3 overall draft pick surpassed the likes of Kealia Ohai and Crystal Dunn in voting to obtain Rookie of the Year, previously held by Erika Tymrak in 2013.
Johnston has repeatedly displayed her talent and defensive aggressiveness on the field, helping Chicago to being ranked second in the league in best defense this season. Only 26 goals were allowed in 24 games overall.
Johnston has always caught the eye of the women's soccer world, from serving as captain of the U20 U.S. WNT that won the 2012 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup to her professional debut with Chicago April 19, where she scored the lone goal that led to a 1-0 season opener win over WNY Flash.
Hailing from Aberdeen, Scotland, Little took this season by storm, racking up an astounding 16 goals in 23 games and seven assists. Those numbers broke last year's scoring- record, which was held by FC Kansas City midfielder Lauren Holiday. Little is a courageous player, always putting herself in the thick of it to find gaps and score- and she always seems to find a way through! She scored a penalty kick to equalize with Washington Spirit in the 2014 NWSL playoffs, helping Seattle Reign FC advance to the final for the first time in club history.
While Hope Solo was second and Ashyln Harris came in at third, Penn State stand out Alyssa Naeher received the most votes to be named 2014 NWSL goalkeeper of the year. And there's no doubt about it- he has made her mark in the net this season.
Besides starting in all 24 games for the Breakers, her cool 106 saves is an NWSL best, with 30 more than the next highest- Karina LeBlanc. Naeher tallied three shut outs overall, including a phenomenal 10-save clean sheet that helped the Breakers beat the Portland Thorns 2-0 on Aug. 10. Naeher has yet to play at national team level, but perhaps this season has shed enough some light on her grit and talent to change that.
This award isn't new for Sauerbrunn. In fact, she is collecting the title for the second consecutive season in a row, having been named defender of the year in 2013. Yes, she's just that good at what she does!
Not only is the St. Louis the first-ever repeat winner of an NWSL season-end accolade, but she along with fellow Blues defenders Leigh Ann Robinson, Kassey Kallman and Nikki Phillips allowed just one goal during their team's record-tying seven game win streak. Sauerbrunn also celebrated her first ever NWSL goal this season on July 30 over Washington Spirit.
You can't talk about the 2014 NWSL season without mentioning Scottish international Kim Little. The bright midfielder not only received the Golden boot award, but also has been named the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 season, and for good reason.
Little led the league with 16 goals in 23 games, tying for second place for most assists (7), just one shy of teammate Jess Fishlock. Those 16 goals surpass the 2013 single-season scoring record previously held by U.S. forward Lauren Holiday, which she accomplished on July 30 when she scored a brace against Houston Dash. Little became the first player in NWSL history to win the Army National Guard Player of the Month award on multiple occasions- three to be exact.
The amount that Little has accomplished in one season is impressive and well-deserving of the 2014 NWSL MVP. She beat out talented players Veronica Boquete and Amy Rodriguez in voting to receive the prestigious title.
After Seattle Reign's exceptional season, its no wonder Laura Harvey was awarded the title Coach of the Year. After being eliminated in the 2013 regular season, Seattle came back in 2014 with a vengeance, shattering records left and right.
The Nuneaton, England native led this west coast club to establish a new NWSL single season marks for points with 54, including 16 wins, a +30 goal difference and 50 goals scored overall. But there's more- Seattle set a new NWSL record for most consecutive wins (7) from April 13-May 14. They also went 16 straight matches without a single loss.
Harvey brought with her Scottish international Kim Little, who swept the season, leading scoring and earning the 2014 NWSL Golden Boot award as well as the league's MVP. The team also clinched the NWSL Shield for the best regular-season record.