National Women’s Soccer League announced best XI Selections
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced the Best XI selections for the 2013 NWSL season.
Washington Spirit midfielder Diana Matheson is the sole Canadian in the inaugural Best XI, which is comprised of seven allocated players from Canada’s and USA’s women’s national teams and four non-allocated players. FC Kansas City had the most selections of any team with four.
The NWSL Best XI team (listed at position, alphabetically by last name):
Position | Player | Club | 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 | 5 assists |
Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City | USA | 1.0 GAA |
Defender | Brittany Taylor | Western New York Flash | USA | 3 goals, 4 assists |
Midfielder | Lori Chalupny | Chicago Red Stars | USA | 5 goals, 4 assists |
Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC | Wales | 4 goals |
Midfielder | Lauren Holiday | FC Kansas City | USA | 12 goals, 9 assists |
Midfielder | Diana Matheson | Washington Spirit | Canada | 8 goals, 3 assists |
Forward | Sydney Leroux | Boston Breakers | USA | 11 goals, 2 assists |
Forward | Abby Wambach | Western New York Flash | USA | 11 goals, 8 assists |
NWSL Second XI features three additional Canadians – 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
The NWSL awards were voted on by a selection of journalists that cover the league on a consistent basis, club officials and NWSL players.
Voters for the Best XI provided selections for four (4) defenders and a combination of six (6) midfielders or forwards; with the ability to select a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) forwards. The Goalkeeper of the Year was automatically named to the Best XI.
The Second XI is comprised of the next leading vote getters at each position that did not make the Best XI.