NWSL Best XI

NWSL Best XI and Second XI are annual awards presented to the best and second-best eleven players in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

As of 2023, the teams of the season awards are voted on by players (40%), owners/general managers/coaches (25%), media (25%), and fans (10%).[1] Voters for the teams of the season awards are required to name one goalkeeper, four defenders, and a combination of six midfielders and forwards.

2013

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Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Nicole Barnhart FC Kansas City 10 shutouts
Defender United States Christie Rampone Sky Blue FC 1.20 GAA
Defender United States Leigh Ann Robinson FC Kansas City 5 assists
Defender United States Becky Sauerbrunn FC Kansas City 1.00 GAA
Defender United States Brittany Taylor Western New York Flash 3 goals, 4 assists
Midfielder United States Lori Chalupny Chicago Red Stars 5 goals, 4 assists
Midfielder Wales Jess Fishlock Seattle Reign FC 4 goals
Midfielder United States Lauren Holiday FC Kansas City 12 goals, 9 assists
Midfielder Canada Diana Matheson Washington Spirit 8 goals, 3 assists
Forward United States Sydney Leroux Boston Breakers 11 goals, 2 assists
Forward United States Abby Wambach Western New York Flash 11 goals, 8 assists

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper United States Adrianna Franch Western New York Flash
Defender United States Rachel Buehler Portland Thorns
Defender Australia Caitlin Foord Sky Blue FC
Defender United States Ali Krieger Washington Spirit
Defender Canada Lauren Sesselmann FC Kansas City
Midfielder United States Megan Rapinoe Seattle Reign FC
Midfielder Canada Desiree Scott FC Kansas City
Midfielder United States Erika Tymrak FC Kansas City
Forward United States Alex Morgan Portland Thorns
Forward England Lianne Sanderson Boston Breakers
Forward Canada Christine Sinclair Portland Thorns

2014

[edit]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Alyssa Naeher Boston Breakers 106 saves
Defender United States Kendall Fletcher Seattle Reign FC .83 team GAA
Defender United States Ali Krieger Washington Spirit 1 goal
Defender United States Christie Rampone Sky Blue FC 1 goal, 2 assists
Defender United States Becky Sauerbrunn FC Kansas City 8 shutouts
Midfielder Spain Verónica Boquete Portland Thorns FC 4 goals, 6 assists
Midfielder Wales Jess Fishlock Seattle Reign FC 4 goals, 8 assists
Midfielder Scotland Kim Little Seattle Reign FC 16 goals, 7 assists
Forward United States Lauren Holiday FC Kansas City 8 goals, 7 assists
Forward Japan Nahomi Kawasumi Seattle Reign FC 9 goals, 5 assists
Forward United States Amy Rodriguez FC Kansas City 13 goals, 3 assists

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Hope Solo Seattle Reign FC 5 shutouts
Defender United States Lauren Barnes Seattle Reign FC .83 team GAA
Defender Australia Stephanie Catley Portland Thorns FC 5 assists
Defender United States Stephanie Cox Seattle Reign FC .83 team GAA
Defender United States Julie Johnston Chicago Red Stars Rookie of the Year
Midfielder United States Carli Lloyd Western New York Flash 8 goals, 5 assists
Midfielder United States Allie Long Portland Thorns FC 9 goals, 3 assists
Midfielder United States Heather O'Reilly Boston Breakers 9 goals, 5 assists
Forward United States Christen Press Chicago Red Stars 6 goals
Forward United States Jessica McDonald Portland Thorns FC 11 goals, 1 assist
Forward England Jodie Taylor Washington Spirit 11 goals, 2 assists

[2]

2015

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Announced September 24, 2015[3]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Michelle Betos Portland Thorns FC 45 saves
Defender United States Lauren Barnes Seattle Reign FC 1,800 minutes
Defender United States Julie Johnston Chicago Red Stars 1.10 team GAA
Defender United States Amy LePeilbet FC Kansas City 1,800 minutes
Defender United States Becky Sauerbrunn FC Kansas City 1.00 GAA
Midfielder Wales Jess Fishlock Seattle Reign FC 8 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder Scotland Kim Little Seattle Reign FC 10 goals, 7 assists
Midfielder United States Allie Long Portland Thorns FC 10 goals, 4 assists
Forward United States Crystal Dunn Washington Spirit 15 goals, 3 assists
Forward United States Christen Press Chicago Red Stars 10 goals, 2 assists
Forward United States Beverly Yanez Seattle Reign FC 9 goals

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Nicole Barnhart FC Kansas City 8 shutouts
Defender United States Stephanie Cox Seattle Reign FC 1,800 minutes
Defender United States Kendall Fletcher Seattle Reign FC 2 goals, 2 assists
Defender United States Arin Gilliland Chicago Red Stars 1.10 team GAA
Defender United States Leigh Ann Robinson FC Kansas City 1,800 minutes
Midfielder United States Danielle Colaprico Chicago Red Stars 1,776 minutes
Midfielder United States Lauren Holiday FC Kansas City 2 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder United States Carli Lloyd Houston Dash 4 goals
Midfielder United States Keelin Winters Seattle Reign FC 1,654 minutes
Forward United States Sofia Huerta Chicago Red Stars 6 goals, 3 assists
Forward United States Megan Rapinoe Seattle Reign FC 5 goals, 5 assists

2016

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Announced October 7, 2016[4]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Ashlyn Harris Orlando Pride 62 saves
Defender United States Lauren Barnes Seattle Reign FC 1,775 minutes
Defender United States Arin Gilliland Chicago Red Stars 1.00 team GAA
Defender United States Emily Menges Portland Thorns FC 0.95 team GAA
Defender United States Becky Sauerbrunn FC Kansas City 1.00 team GAA
Midfielder United States Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC Goal, 10 assists
Midfielder United States Allie Long Portland Thorns FC 6 goals, 2 assists
Forward United States Jessica McDonald Western New York Flash 10 goals, 7 assists
Forward United States Kealia Ohai Houston Dash 11 goals, 4 assists
Forward United States Christen Press Chicago Red Stars 8 goals
Forward United States Lynn Williams Western New York Flash 11 goals, 5 assists

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Alyssa Naeher Chicago Red Stars 1.00 GAA
Defender United States Julie Johnston Chicago Red Stars 1.00 team GAA
Defender United States Ali Krieger Washington Spirit 1.05 team GAA
Defender United States Christie Rampone Sky Blue FC 1,800 minutes
Defender United States Casey Short Chicago Red Stars 1,781 minutes
Midfielder United States Danielle Colaprico Chicago Red Stars Goal, 2 assists
Midfielder United States Vanessa DiBernardo Chicago Red Stars 7 assists
Midfielder Wales Jess Fishlock Seattle Reign FC Goals, 4 assists
Midfielder Scotland Kim Little Seattle Reign FC 6 goals, 2 assists
Forward United States Crystal Dunn Washington Spirit 2 goals, 5 assists
Forward United States Shea Groom FC Kansas City 8 goals

2017

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Announced October 12, 2017[5]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Adrianna Franch Portland Thorns FC 11 shutouts, 80 saves, .83 GAA
Defender United States Casey Short Chicago Red Stars 1 goal, 3rd-best defense in NWSL
Defender United States Abby Dahlkemper North Carolina Courage 121 corner kicks taken, 2 assists
Defender United States Becky Sauerbrunn FC Kansas City 157 clearances, 24 blocks, 1 goal, 2 assists
Defender United States Ali Krieger Orlando Pride 99 clearances, 49 interceptions, 2 assists
Midfielder Wales Jess Fishlock Seattle Reign FC 7 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder United States Sam Mewis North Carolina Courage 6 goals, 3 assists
Midfielder United States McCall Zerboni North Carolina Courage 3 goals, 1 assist
Forward Brazil Marta Orlando Pride 13 goals, 6 assists, 64 chances created
Forward Australia Sam Kerr Sky Blue FC 17 goals, 4 assists, 2 hattricks, 1 4-goal game
Forward United States Christen Press Chicago Red Stars 11 goals, 4 assists

Second XI

Announced October 10, 2017[6]

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
Goalkeeper United States Katelyn Rowland North Carolina Courage 39 saves, 8 shutouts
Defender Australia Steph Catley Orlando Pride 2,032 minutes played
Defender New Zealand Abby Erceg North Carolina Courage 1 goal, 2 assists
Defender United States Meghan Klingenberg Portland Thorns FC 6 assists
Defender United States Emily Menges Portland Thorns FC 2,063 minutes played
Midfielder United States Danielle Colaprico Chicago Red Stars 1,903 minutes played
Midfielder United States Julie Ertz Chicago Red Stars 4 goals, 3 assists
Midfielder United States Lindsey Horan Portland Thorns FC 4 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder United States Sofia Huerta Chicago Red Stars 6 goals, 4 assists
Forward United States Alex Morgan Orlando Pride 9 goals, 4 assists
Forward United States Megan Rapinoe Seattle Reign FC 12 goals, 1 assist

2018

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Announced September 20, 2018[7]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper United States Adrianna Franch Portland Thorns FC
Defender United States Emily Sonnett Portland Thorns FC
Defender United States Abby Dahlkemper North Carolina Courage
Defender United States Becky Sauerbrunn Utah Royals FC
Defender New Zealand Abby Erceg North Carolina Courage
Midfielder United States Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder United States Lindsey Horan Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder United States McCall Zerboni North Carolina Courage
Forward United States Crystal Dunn North Carolina Courage
Forward Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars
Forward United States Megan Rapinoe Seattle Reign

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper Australia Lydia Williams Seattle Reign
Defender United States Emily Menges Portland Thorns FC
Defender United States Merritt Mathias North Carolina Courage
Defender Australia Steph Catley Seattle Reign
Defender United States Julie Ertz Chicago Red Stars
Midfielder United States Carli Lloyd Sky Blue FC
Midfielder Canada Christine Sinclair Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder Brazil Debinha North Carolina Courage
Forward United States Lynn Williams North Carolina Courage
Forward United States Sofia Huerta Houston Dash
Forward England Rachel Daly Houston Dash

2019

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Announced October 24, 2019[8]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper United States Aubrey Bledsoe Washington Spirit
Defender United States Abby Dahlkemper North Carolina Courage
Defender United States Ali Krieger Orlando Pride
Defender United States Becky Sauerbrunn Utah Royals FC
Defender United States Casey Short Chicago Red Stars
Midfielder United States Julie Ertz Chicago Red Stars
Midfielder United States Lindsey Horan Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder United States Rose Lavelle Washington Spirit
Forward United States Tobin Heath Portland Thorns FC
Forward Australia Sam Kerr Chicago Red Stars
Forward United States Christen Press Utah Royals FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper United States Alyssa Naeher Chicago Red Stars
Defender United States Lauren Barnes Reign FC
Defender New Zealand Abby Erceg North Carolina Courage
Defender United States Kelley O'Hara Utah Royals FC
Defender United States Emily Sonnett Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder United States Bethany Balcer Reign FC
Midfielder United States Crystal Dunn North Carolina Courage
Midfielder Japan Yūki Nagasato Chicago Red Stars
Forward United States Kristen Hamilton North Carolina Courage
Forward United States Carli Lloyd Sky Blue FC
Forward United States Megan Rapinoe Reign FC

2021

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Announced November 17, 2021[9]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper Canada Kailen Sheridan NJ/NY Gotham FC
Defender United States Caprice Dydasco NJ/NY Gotham FC
United States Alana Cook OL Reign
United States Sarah Gorden Chicago Red Stars
United States Carson Pickett North Carolina Courage
Midfielder/Forward United States Ashley Hatch Washington Spirit
Wales Jess Fishlock OL Reign
France Eugénie Le Sommer OL Reign
United States Margaret Purce NJ/NY Gotham FC
United States Trinity Rodman Washington Spirit
United States Angela Salem Portland Thorns FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper United States Bella Bixby Portland Thorns FC
Defender United States Sofia Huerta OL Reign
United States Emily Menges Portland Thorns FC
United States Emily Fox Racing Louisville FC
United States Meghan Klingenberg Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder/Forward United States Bethany Balcer OL Reign
United States Lindsey Horan Portland Thorns FC
United States Mallory Pugh Chicago Red Stars
England Rachel Daly Houston Dash
United States Sydney Leroux Orlando Pride
Nigeria Ifeoma Onumonu NJ/NY Gotham FC

2022

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Announced October 25, 2022[10]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper Canada Kailen Sheridan San Diego Wave FC
Defender United States Alana Cook OL Reign
United States Naomi Girma San Diego Wave FC
United States Sofia Huerta OL Reign
United States Carson Pickett North Carolina Courage
Midfielder/Forward United States Sam Coffey Portland Thorns FC
United States Lo'eau LaBonta Kansas City Current
United States Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC
Brazil Debinha North Carolina Courage
United States Mallory Pugh Chicago Red Stars
United States Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper United States Adrianna Franch Kansas City Current
Defender United States Kelli Hubly Portland Thorns FC
United States Hailie Mace Kansas City Current
United States Tatumn Milazzo Chicago Red Stars
United States Becky Sauerbrunn Portland Thorns FC
Midfielder/Forward Brazil Kerolin North Carolina Courage
Wales Jess Fishlock OL Reign
United States Rose Lavelle OL Reign
Mexico Diana Ordóñez North Carolina Courage
United States Megan Rapinoe OL Reign
England Ebony Salmon Houston Dash

2023

[edit]

Announced November 6, 2023[1]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper United States Jane Campbell Houston Dash
Defender United States Naomi Girma San Diego Wave FC
United States Ali Krieger NJ/NY Gotham FC
United States Sarah Gorden Angel City FC
United States Sam Staab Washington Spirit
Midfielder/Forward United States Sam Coffey Portland Thorns FC
Brazil Debinha Kansas City Current
United States Jaedyn Shaw San Diego Wave FC
Brazil Kerolin North Carolina Courage
United States Sophia Smith Portland Thorns FC
United States Lynn Williams NJ/NY Gotham FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
Goalkeeper Canada Kailen Sheridan San Diego Wave FC
Defender United States Emily Fox North Carolina Courage
United States Kaleigh Kurtz North Carolina Courage
United States Jenna Nighswonger NJ/NY Gotham FC
United States M.A. Vignola Angel City FC
Midfielder/Forward United States Savannah DeMelo Racing Louisville FC
United States Savannah McCaskill Angel City FC
Republic of Ireland Denise O'Sullivan North Carolina Courage
United States Ashley Hatch Washington Spirit
United States Alex Morgan San Diego Wave FC
United States Trinity Rodman Washington Spirit

Most selections

[edit]
As of November 6, 2023. Only players with multiple total selections are included.
Players still active in the NWSL
Bold* Players on most recent list
Nat Player Best XI Second XI Total
United States Becky Sauerbrunn 7 1 8
Wales Jess Fishlock 5 2 7
United States Ali Krieger* 4 2 6
United States Julie Ertz 2 4 6
United States Megan Rapinoe 1 5 6
United States Christen Press 4 1 5
United States Sofia Huerta 1 4 5
United States Crystal Dunn 2 2 4
United States Adrianna Franch 2 2 4
United States Lauren Holiday 2 2 4
United States Lindsey Horan 2 2 4
United States Emily Menges 1 3 4
United States Alex Morgan* 1 3 4
United States Carli Lloyd 0 4 4
United States Abby Dahlkemper 3 0 3
United States Tobin Heath 3 0 3
Australia Sam Kerr 3 0 3
United States Lauren Barnes 2 1 3
Brazil Debinha* 2 1 3
United States Casey Krueger 2 1 3
Scotland Kim Little 2 1 3
United States Allie Long 2 1 3
United States Christie Pearce 2 1 3
Canada Kailen Sheridan* 2 1 3
United States Lynn Williams* 2 1 3
New Zealand Abby Erceg 1 2 3
United States Alyssa Naeher 1 2 3
United States Danielle Colaprico 0 3 3
Australia Steph Catley 0 3 3
United States Sam Coffey* 2 0 2
United States Alana Cook 2 0 2
United States Naomi Girma* 2 0 2
United States Sarah Gorden* 2 0 2
United States Carson Pickett 2 0 2
United States Sophia Smith* 2 0 2
United States McCall Zerboni 2 0 2
United States Nicole Barnhart 1 1 2
United States Leigh Ann Brown 1 1 2
United States Kendall Fletcher 1 1 2
United States Ashley Hatch* 1 1 2
Brazil Kerolin* 1 1 2
United States Rose Lavelle 1 1 2
United States Sydney Leroux 1 1 2
United States Jessica McDonald 1 1 2
United States Mallory Swanson 1 1 2
United States Trinity Rodman* 1 1 2
United States Emily Sonnett 1 1 2
United States Arin Wright 1 1 2
United States Bethany Balcer 0 2 2
United States Stephanie Cox 0 2 2
England Rachel Daly 0 2 2
United States Emily Fox* 0 2 2
United States Meghan Klingenberg 0 2 2
Canada Christine Sinclair 0 2 2

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "NWSL Announces Winners of 2023 Mastercard Best XI Awards". November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Announces 2014 Best XI – Chicago Red Stars". chicagoredstars.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014.
  3. ^ "NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2015 BEST XI". NWSL. September 25, 2015. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  4. ^ "NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2016 BEST XI". NWSL. October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 7, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  5. ^ "2017 Best XI announced". NWSL. October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  6. ^ "NWSL announces Second XI selections". NWSL. October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "2018 NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced". September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  8. ^ "2019 NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced". October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  9. ^ "NWSL Announces the Winners of Mastercard Inaugural 2021 Best XI Awards". October 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "NWSL Announces Winners of Mastercard Best XI Awards". October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
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