Sports stats



Becky Sauerbrunn Named to Nwsl Best Xi for Fifth Straight Year

October 12, 2017 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
FC Kansas City News Release


KANSAS CITY - FC Kansas City Captain Becky Sauerbrunn headlines the list of players selected for the National Women's Soccer League Best XI, which was announced this afternoon.

Sauerbrunn is the only player to earn a selection to this elite list for five straight years. With her selection, FC Kansas City now has eleven players who earned selection to the NWSL Best XI in the five years of the league, tied with the Seattle Reign for the most all-time.

The North Carolina Courage led the way with three selections to the squad followed by the Chicago Red Stars and Orlando Pride with two members each on the team.

Seven players earned their first selection to the Best XI this year, highlighted by the top two goal scorers in the league - Sky Blue FC forward Samantha Kerr and Orlando midfielder Marta.

Four of those first-time selections are set to feature in the 2017 NWSL Championship Game on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. as Abby Dahlkemper, Samantha Mewis, McCall Zerboni and the Courage go up against Adrianna Franch and the Portland Thorns in a match broadcast nationally at 4:30 p.m. ET live on Lifetime.

FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn and Chicago Red Stars forward Christen Press were the only two players from the 2016 Best XI also voted to the team this year. It was the fifth consecutive selection to the squad for Sauerbrunn and the third straight selection for Press.

Seattle Reign FC midfielder Jess Fishlock was voted to the Best XI for the fourth time in five years, while Pride defender Ali Krieger made her second appearances on the team. Fishlock has earned a place on the Best XI or Second XI in all five years of the NWSL.

Krieger is the oldest player on the squad and the fifth-oldest player ever selected to Best XI. She is one of five players - including Sauerbrunn, Marta, Zerboni and Fishlock - voted to the team over the age 30, the most of any Best XI side in the five-year history of the NWSL.

Krieger was also one of three players - along with Fishlock and Red Stars defender Casey Short - made the leap to the Best XI after making the Second XI last season.

2017 NWSL Best XI

Position

Player

Club

Country

Note

Goalkeeper

Adrianna Franch

Portland Thorns FC

USA

11 shutouts

Defender

Abby Dahlkemper

North Carolina Courage

USA

2,160 minutes

Defender

Ali Krieger

Orlando Pride

USA

2,160 minutes

Defender

Becky Sauerbrunn

FC Kansas City

USA

1,980 minutes

Defender

Casey Short

Chicago Red Stars

USA

1,914 minutes

Midfielder

Jess Fishlock

Seattle Reign FC

Wales

7 goals, 2 assists

Midfielder

Samantha Mewis

North Carolina Courage

USA

6 goals, 3 assists

Midfielder

McCall Zerboni

North Carolina Courage

USA

3 goals, assist

Forward

Marta

Orlando Pride

Brazil

13 goals, 6 assists

Forward

Samantha Kerr

Sky Blue FC

Australia

17 goals, 4 assists

Forward

Christen Press

Chicago Red Stars

USA

11 goals, 4 assists

The NWSL awards are voted on by club officials, players, media that cover the league on a consistent basis and fans.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2017 NWSL Championship, starting as low as $20. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase seats throughout the 25,500 capacity venue, including in the North end of Orlando City Stadium - North America's first safe-standing supporter's section. Tickets are available online at www.NWSLchampionship.com and by phone at 1-855-ORL-CITY.

FC Kansas City is a founding member and proud two-time champion of the National Women's Soccer League. Fans can keep up-to-date on the most recent club news by following the Blues' official Twitter account (@FCKansasCity).

FCKansasCity.com



National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 12, 2017


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central