NWSL Announces 2018 Best XI
September 20, 2018 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO - The National Women's Soccer League announced Thursday the Best XI selections for the 2018 NWSL season.
NWSL Shield winners North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns FC led the way with four selections each to the squad followed by the Chicago Red Stars, Seattle Reign FC and Utah Royals FC with one member each on the team.
The Courage and Thorns FC are both set to feature in the 2018 NWSL Championship on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. in a match broadcast nationally at 4:30 p.m. ET live on Lifetime.
Five players were voted to the Best XI for the second consecutive year - highlighted by Utah Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn, who earned her sixth straight selection to the squad. Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr, North Carolina Courage defender Abby Dahlkemper, Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, North Carolina Courage midfielder McCall Zerboni were the other players to repeat as selections from the 2017 Best XI.
Three players earned their first selection to the Best XI this year including North Carolina Courage defender Abby Erceg, Portland Thorns FC midfielder Lindsey Horan and Portland Thorns FC defender Emily Sonnett.
Erceg was also one of three players - along with Horan and Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe - that made the leap to the Best XI after making the Second XI last season.
Position Player Club Country Note
Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch Portland Thorns FC USA 1.00 GAA
Defender Emily Sonnett Portland Thorns FC USA 1 goal, 1 assist
Defender Becky Sauerbrunn Utah Royals FC USA 1,720 minutes
Defender Abby Erceg North Carolina Courage NZL 2 goals, 2 assists
Defender Abby Dahlkemper North Carolina Courage USA 1,710 minutes
Midfielder Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC USA 7 goals, 7 assists
Midfielder Lindsey Horan Portland Thorns FC USA 13 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder McCall Zerboni North Carolina Courage USA 3 goals, 1 assist
Forward Crystal Dunn North Carolina Courage USA 8 goals, 5 assists
Forward Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars AUS 16 goals, 4 assists
Forward Megan Rapinoe Seattle Reign FC USA 7 goals, 6 assists
The NWSL awards are voted on by club officials, players, media that cover the league on a consistent basis and fans.
The NWSL Second XI is comprised of the next leading vote getters at each position that did not make the Best XI (listed by position):
Position Player Club Country Note
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams Seattle Reign FC AUS 10 Clean Sheets
Defender Merritt Mathias North Carolina Courage USA 3 goals, 2 assists
Defender Julie Ertz Chicago Red Stars USA 1,126 minutes
Defender Emily Menges Portland Thorns FC USA 1,305 minutes
Defender Steph Catley Seattle Reign FC AUS 3 assists
Midfielder Debinha North Carolina Courage BRA 8 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder Carli Lloyd Sky Blue FC USA 4 goals, 1 assist
Midfielder Christine Sinclair Portland Thorns FC CAN 9 goals, 6 assists
Forward Lynn Williams North Carolina Courage USA 14 goals, 5 assists
Forward Rachel Daly Houston Dash ENG 10 goals, 2 assists
Forward Sofia Huerta Houston Dash USA 5 goals, 4 assists
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a nine-team Division-I women's professional soccer league featuring national team players from around the world. The clubs are the Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, Utah Royals FC and the Washington Spirit.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 20, 2018
- Zadorsky Named to Canada's 2018 Pre-Tournament Camp Roster - Orlando Pride
- Seven NC Courage Players on NWSL's Best XI and Second XI - North Carolina Courage
- North Carolina Courage Announces Team Awards - North Carolina Courage
- Harris and Morgan Named to USWNT 2018 CONCACAF Championship Roster - Orlando Pride
- Sam Kerr Named to NWSL Best XI, Julie Ertz to 2nd XI - Chicago Stars FC
- Utah Royals FC Defender Becky Sauerbrunn Named to NWSL Best XI - Utah Royals FC
- Carli Lloyd Named to NWSL Second XI - Sky Blue FC
- NWSL Announces 2018 Best XI - NWSL
- Thorns FC Midfielders Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Defender Emily Sonnett, Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch Named to 2018 NWSL Best XI - Portland Thorns FC
- Three Reign FC Players Named to NWSL Best XI and Second XI Teams - Seattle Reign FC
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.
