Two Washington Spirit Stars Named to NWSL Best XI Teams
Published on November 19, 2025 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release
San Jose, Calif. - Two Washington Spirit stars have been named to the NWSL's year-end Best XI teams, the league announced today at the inaugural NWSL Awards in San Jose. Defender Tara McKeown earned Best XI honors while midfielder Croix Bethune earned a Second XI nod.
McKeown adds Best XI to her list of 2025 accolades after collecting her first Defender of the Year award earlier today. With over 2,500 minutes of playing time so far, McKeown has been a league standout on the back line this year, helping the Spirit to 12 clean sheets across all competitions and ranking among the NWSL's best in interceptions, blocked shots and tackle success. The defender earned Second XI honors in 2024.
Bethune's inclusion on this year's Second XI marks back-to-back Best XI honors to start her pro career. Since returning from injury in April, the reigning Midfielder of the Year has tallied four goals and three assists across 26 total matches, including her second half score last weekend against Portland to help send the Spirit back to the NWSL Championship. Bethune's crafty play in the midfield has established her as one of the league's top attacking threats.
The NWSL Awards are voted on by NWSL players, owners, general managers, coaches, members of the media and fans. McKeown and Bethune represent the sixth and seventh year-end Best XI honorees for the Spirit in the past two seasons.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 19, 2025
- Two Washington Spirit Stars Named to NWSL Best XI Teams - Washington Spirit
- Seattle Reign FC Defender Jordyn Bugg and Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey Named to NWSL's 2025 Best XI Second Team, Presented by Amazon Prime - Seattle Reign FC
- Gotham FC's González, Reale, Sonnett Named to 2025 NWSL Best XIs - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Portland Thorns Defender Sam Hiatt Named Winner of the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Secures $50K Charitable Donation to Candlelighters Oregon - Portland Thorns FC
- San Diego Wave FC's Delphine Cascarino and Kenza Dali Named to 2025 NWSL Best XI Second Team - San Diego Wave FC
- Racing Louisville's Bev Yanez Wins NWSL Coach of the Year - Racing Louisville FC
- Gotham FC's Lilly Reale Named 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Washington Spirit Star Tara McKeown Wins NWSL Defender of the Year - Washington Spirit
- Houston Dash Defender Avery Patterson Named to NWSL Best XI First Team - Houston Dash
- Seattle Reign FC and Seattle Sounders FC Appoint Veteran Financial Leader Sean Coury as Chief Financial Officer - Seattle Reign FC
- Washington Spirit Forward Sofia Cantore Called up to Italy Women's National Team - Washington Spirit
- Bay FC Forward Karlie Lema Selected To U.S. U-23 Women's National Team Roster for a pair of European friendlies - Bay FC
- Gotham FC's Sarah Schupansky Earns U.S. U-23 National Team Call-Up - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Four Utah Royals FC Players Called up for November International Window - Utah Royals FC
- Washington Spirit Duo Called up to U.S. Women's National Team - Washington Spirit
- Avery Patterson Named to U.S. Women's National Team Roster - Houston Dash
- Racing's Emma Sears Earns Seventh USWNT Call-Up Ahead of Italy Friendlies - Racing Louisville FC
- Jameese Joseph Earns First Call-Up to United States Women's National Team - Chicago Stars FC
- Gotham FC Sends Five Players to U.S. Women's National Team for Upcoming Friendlies - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Bay FC Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz Selected to U.S. Women's National Team Roster For upcoming friendlies vs. Italy - Bay FC
- Washington Spirit Midfielder Narumi Miura Called up to Japan Women's National Team - Washington Spirit
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Other Recent Washington Spirit Stories
- Two Washington Spirit Stars Named to NWSL Best XI Teams
- Washington Spirit Star Tara McKeown Wins NWSL Defender of the Year
- Washington Spirit Forward Sofia Cantore Called up to Italy Women's National Team
- Washington Spirit Duo Called up to U.S. Women's National Team
- Washington Spirit Midfielder Narumi Miura Called up to Japan Women's National Team
