Seattle Reign defender Jordyn Bugg is one of five nominees for the 2025 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. The nomination is part of a set of U.S. Soccer 2025 Awards, which recognize top performers across the women’s and men’s national teams.
Other nominees are Pearl Cecil, Lilly Reale, Micayla Johnson, and Riley Tiernan.
This is the second year that 19-year-old Bugg made the Young Player of the Year shortlist. USWNT forward Ally Sentnor won the award last year. Bugg has even more qualifications to be a top contender for the 2025 award following an impressive campaign for both club and country. She made her first senior USWNT appearance and first senior start in June, contributing to four clean sheets, including back-to-back 4-0 wins over Ireland.
Before this, the Reign defender traveled to Germany with the U.S. U-23s in May and June, playing the full 90 in both matches against Germany and contributing a game-winning assist in the fifth minute of stoppage time. She also trained with the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team, as she remains age-eligible for the 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup.
In her first full professional season with Seattle Reign, Bugg emerged as one of the best defenders and most impactful young players in the NWSL. She started 24 of 25 matches and scored three game-deciding goals, including a long-range winner against North Carolina that earned a nomination for the FIFA Marta Award.
Susie Rantz
Bugg's performances made her the youngest NWSL Defender of the Year finalist and the youngest player named to the NWSL Best XI Second Team. She was also voted Reign Defender of the Year by her teammates.
Reign fans can play a role in helping Bugg win the Young Female Player of the Year Award. The fan vote will account for 15 percent of the overall vote tally. Fans must vote by Friday, December 12.
