Gotham FC defender within the NWSL. After being named the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Yr on Wednesday, the 22-year-old can get her palms on some of the coveted prizes in girls’s soccer ought to Gotham defeat the in Saturday’s Championship.
For 28 regular-season video games, a CONCACAF W Champions Cup journey that led to championship celebrations and two thrilling NWSL playoff matches, Reale has been a pillar of reliability in protection and influential in assault.
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Head coach Juan Carlos Amoros praised the unusual rookie for her contributions to Gotham’s deep runs throughout a number of competitions.
“Lilly has been constant all through the entire 12 months, enjoying in each single sport the workforce has performed this 12 months, whether or not it was within the NWSL or serving to the membership win the primary Concacaf W Champions Cup,” Amoros mentioned. “Her efficiency degree has been wonderful on the ball and off the ball. Additionally, her maturity and management – whenever you watch a Gotham match, you by no means assume that Lilly is in her first season enjoying as an expert soccer participant.”
The previous UCLA standout led Gotham in interceptions (36) and completed second in tackles (54) amongst all NWSL gamers. Her 69 crosses ranked twelfth within the league, and she or he completed eighth-highest in passes into the penalty space and seventh in profitable take-ons.
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All of that provides up to a whole defender, and .
Reale edged out Seattle Reign winger Maddie Dahlien and Angel Metropolis ahead Riley Tiernan for the excellence of the league’s greatest rookie. After accumulating the highest rookie honor on the NWSL Awards in San Jose, she credited the Gotham group and her household for his or her half in serving to her obtain a adorned debut season.
“I need to take a second to thank my Gotham household for investing in me not solely as a participant but in addition as an individual,” Reale mentioned. “You will have actually introduced one of the best out of me, caring for me this 12 months. There’s been quite a lot of ebbs and flows, however I actually respect you guys, and particularly my teammates. You’re my greatest pals. I actually respect you guys and all the things that you’ve given me this 12 months. Lastly, to my household, you imply all the things to me, and I actually do not know the place I might be with out you.”
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Gotham Stars Named to NWSL Finest XI Groups
Gotham FC ahead Esther Gonzalez celebrates after scoring through the first half in opposition to the Houston Sprint at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium. Lucas Boland-Imagn ImagesLucas Boland-Imagn Photos
Reale was additionally named to the NWSL Finest XI Second Crew alongside teammate Emily Sonnett. Ahead Esther Gonzalez made the NWSL Finest XI First Crew after scoring 13 targets in 24 league appearances. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was named as a finalist for the 2025 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Yr. Berger misplaced out to Kansas Metropolis Present goalkeeper Lorena, who scooped the award.
Esther lately recovered from a hip harm to start out .
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, star attackers like Esther, Jaedyn Shaw and Rose Lavelle and key defenders Reale, Sonnett and Jess Carter will should be at peak ranges.
The Gotham backline might want to extinguish a Washington assault that led the NWSL with 146 pictures on course through the common season and solely trailed league-leading Kansas Metropolis with 45 targets scored.
Reale has risen to the event by contributing in all areas of the pitch with video games coming quick and furiously in a packed schedule. If Gotham stands alone with a confetti-streaming trophy celebration on Saturday, it’s possible that Reale may have once more performed a giant half in one other championship victory.
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San Jose’s PayPal Park will host the championship match between Gotham and Washington. The match will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. Jap Time.
This story was initially reported by on Nov 20, 2025, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a