Wambach, Taylor Honored on NWSL's Best XI; Franch on Second XI
Published on August 28, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Elma, N.Y. (Wednesday, August 28, 2013) - On Wednesday, the National Women's Soccer League announced the Best XI selections for the 2013 NWSL season.
Western New York Flash forward Abby Wambach and defender Brittany Taylor were among the 11 players selected ahead of the 2013 NWSL Championship game on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. between the Flash and Portland Thorns FC. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally live on FOX Sports 2.
Rookie goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was also selected to represent the Flash on the Second XI.
Wambach has led the Flash in every offensive category thus far, with 11 goals and eight assists in 19 appearances in the regular season. Most recently, the U.S. Women's National Team allocation finished second in voting for the NWSL's Most Valuable Player.
With 36 total regular-season goals for the Flash, Wambach was involved in 19 of them, with three of her scores finishing as game-winners. The Rochester native was also the first player to be selected as the NWSL Player of the Week on two occasions, winning in Week 5 and Week 9.
Taylor has been a stalwart for the Flash back line all season. The University of Connecticut graduate has led a defense that boasted a league-best 20 goals against at the end of the regular season. Through the NWSL semifinals, the defense has posted nine shutouts and a 9-1-2 record on home soil.
The defender, who was signed as a free agent, has also contributed on the offensive side with three goals and four assists this season.
The rookie Franch started in every regular-season game for the Flash, playing all but two minutes. The Oklahoma State product entered the postseason atop the NWSL rankings for saves (98) and minutes (1978) with eight clean sheets.
Tickets for the inaugural NWSL Championship game are available online at wnyflash.com, in person at the Sahlen's Stadium box office or by calling (585) 454-KICK.
Best XI:
Position Player 0 Country Note .
Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart FC Kansas City USA 10 shutouts
Defender Christie Rampone Sky Blue FC USA 1.20 GAA
Defender Leigh Ann Robinson FC Kansas City USA 5a
Defender Becky Sauerbrunn FC Kansas City USA 1.0 GAA
Defender Brittany Taylor WNY Flash USA 3g, 4a
Midfielder Lori Chalupny Chicago Red Stars USA 5g, 4a
Midfielder Jess Fishlock Seattle Reign FC Wales 4g
Midfielder Lauren Holiday FC Kansas City USA 12g, 9a
Midfielder Diana Matheson Washington Spirit Canada 8g, 3a
Forward Sydney Leroux Boston Breakers USA 11g, 2a
Forward Abby Wambach WNY Flash USA 11g, 8a
NWSL Second XI:
Goalkeeper: Adrianna Franch, Western New York Flash
Defenders: Rachel Buehler, Portland Thorns FC; Caitlin Foord, Sky Blue FC; Ali Krieger, Washington Spirit; Lauren Sesselmann, FC Kansas City
Midfielders: Megan Rapinoe, Seattle Reign FC; Desiree Scott, FC Kansas City; Erika Tymrak, FC Kansas City
Forwards: Alex Morgan, Portland Thorns FC; Lianne Sanderson, Boston Breakers; Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns FC
National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 28, 2013
- Christie Rampone Selected for NWSL Best XI - Sky Blue FC
- Wambach, Taylor Honored on NWSL's Best XI; Franch on Second XI - Western New York Flash
- Red Stars Midfielder Lori Chalupny Named to NWSL Best XI - Chicago Stars FC
- Thorns FC Players Named to NWSL Best XI Second Team - Portland Thorns FC
- NWSL Announces 2013 Best XI - NWSL
- NWSL Names Four FC Kansas City Players to Best XI - FC Kansas City
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