TAMPA, Fla. – Greenville Liberty SC midfielder Christian Brathwaite has been named the 2022 W League Young Player of the Year for the regular season. All players under the age of 18 are eligible for the award, which is selected by USL HQ based on regular season performance.
Born in June 2005, Brathwaite was a consistent contributor from the midfield this season for Greenville, appearing in 11 matches for the club and celebrating her 17th birthday midseason. Brathwaite’s command of the midfield helped the Liberty achieve an 8-2-2 record and a playoff berth. She netted four goals and recorded four assists in her 11 matches. Brathwaite won the USL W League Fans’ Choice Goal of the Week in Weeks 3 and 6, making her the only W League player to win the award more than once.
Brathwaite was selected for the Trinidad Senior Women’s team for 2023 FIFA World Cup Qualifying games.
Christian attends Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School and is from Charlotte, NC, where she currently plays with the Barca Academy. The rising high school senior has verbally committed to play at the University of Georgia.
“We are delighted for Christian to be recognized by the W League for her talents and skill level that was shown on stage at a higher level. When I first met Christian at 12 years old, she was a baller then, and she has grown into an amazing young talent that should be shared at the next level. She is also an incredible person, strong in her Christian Faith and very invested in her game’s growth,” said Head Coach Julie Carlson.
“Her experience with the Liberty has allowed her to fine tune her ability to play at a higher women’s level with some talented college players that she has truly enjoyed and found belief in her ability. Ever so often a special player comes along, and I truly believe she is and will be one of those players for us in our league, college and in the US.”