NWSL Post-Season Awards: Why Denver Summit’s Janine Sonis should be crowned MVP

NWSL Post-Season Awards: Why Denver Summit’s Janine Sonis should be crowned MVP With the NWSL regular season recently wrapped up, the top eight teams head to the playoffs to determine this year’s champion. Meanwhile, league observers will examine the season to determine the league’s Best XI, Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year, and others. The NWSL will also select its Most Valuable Player (MVP), and that will be a difficult task, as many players had outstanding seasons this year. Here, I will make my case for Denver Summit’s Janine Sonis, who had one of the most remarkable seasons I’ve seen in some time. The Janine Sonis stat sheet During Denver’s inaugural season, Sonis was the most important part. In the Summit’s first match of their existence, she assisted on the side’s historic first goal early on, then got the first red card in their history. After being sent off and missing the required next match, she played every minute of the season for Denver. In that time, her numbers were simply gaudy. Embed from Getty Images Twelve goals, eight assists for 20 goal involvements. Only North Carolina’s Ashley Sanchez and Orlando’s Barbra Banda had more. Sonis wildly overperformed on her expected goals and assists (xG and xA), blowing past the 11.3 she had been assigned. Her attack numbers went beyond the scoresheet. She was top 10 in the league in both chances created and big chances created. She established an office at the top left corner of the opponent’s box all season. Keepers had to stay home because they knew she could sting them from there, and defenders had to stay back because of her perfect deliveries. Did I mention that she played the season at fullback? Yes, the Canadian international was one of the league’s top scorers coming up from the backline. And, she did not shirk her responsibilities as a defender. While defensive stats are more difficult to quantify, Sonis was top three for Denver in tackles, recoveries, clearances, and defensive contributions. And not that it is a metric used by leagues, but she did lead the entire NWSL in FotMob rating. Janine Sonis’ value to Denver Summit Embed from Getty Images Sonis not only tops the team on the stat sheet, she is Denver’s leader both on and off the pitch. Sonis served as one of Denver’s captains throughout the season, as the coaching staff realized that she has the qualities one looks for in a leader. She has tremendous football knowledge, and uses her intelligence to make the right play. She is Denver’s first choice to take corners and free-kicks. Her deliveries almost always end in great scoring chances for the Summit. Her knowledge of set-pieces is second to none. Denver was in the playoff hunt until the literal last minute of the regular season, and that had a lot to do with Sonis’ leadership. Providing direction to her teammates, being the ultimate cheerleader and coach on the pitch, and showing how much fun football can be when you have the team mentality. Denver gelled as a team from their very first match, and that is the main reason they were as successful as they were. Simply put, the Summit would not be the team it is without Janine Sonis. She is a player right in her prime, and makes her teammates better with her play. She provides leadership and direction that helps the entire team perform better every day. The numbers tell the story. Denver’s very successful season tells the story. The product on the field tells the story. A story that should be titled, ‘Janine Sonis – NWSL MVP 2026’. Related articles from Her Football Hub: NWSL quarterfinals: Utah Royals scores first playoff goal, Jess Fishlock plays last game for Seattle Reign Why are more athletes now walking the Victoria’s Secret Runway? NWSL Week 27: Gotham lift first Shield as Seattle seize final playoff spot