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NWSL announces Best XI, led by FCKC again

Becky Sauerbrunn, FC Kansas City
Becky Sauerbrunn, FC Kansas City

Becky Sauerbrunn is one of four FC Kansas City players to make the NWSL's inaugural Best XI. (Photo Copyright Thad Bell for www.womens.soccerly.com | http://www.tpbphoto.com/)

The National Women’s Soccer League announced its Best XI on Wednesday, with some of the obvious players — like league MVP Lauren Holiday — leading the way for four FC Kansas City selections, along with a couple of surprises.

Nicole Barnhart is the goalkeeper after already winning Goalkeeper of the Year, while Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Leigh Ann Robinson (FC Kansas City), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City) and Brittany Taylor (Wester New York Flash) anchor the back line.

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Chicago Red Stars midfielder and third-place MVP finisher Lori Chalupny anchors the midfield alongside Holiday, while Diana Matheson of the Washington Spirit made the list, along with — slightly surprisingly — Jess Fishlock of Seattle Reign FC.

Western New York Flash forward Abby Wambach, who finished second in league MVP voting, anchors the forward tandem alongside the Boston Breakers’ Sydney Leroux, who had 11 goals in what was still an up and down season.

Portland Thorns FC are the only team in the league without a player in the first XI.

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Here are the Best XI and Second XI:

NWSL Best XI

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

Position Player Club Country Note
Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch Western New York Flash USA 98 saves
Defender Rachel Buehler Portland Thorns FC USA 1.15 GAA
Defender Caitlin Foord Sky Blue FC Australia NWSL’s youngest player
Defender Ali Krieger Washington Spirit USA 1 goal
Defender Lauren Sesselmann FC Kansas City Canada 0.84 GAA
Midfielder Megan Rapinoe Seattle Reign FC USA 5 goals, 1 assist
Midfielder Desiree Scott FC Kansas City Canada 1.0 GAA
Midfielder Erika Tymrak FC Kansas City USA 6 goals, 4 assists
Forward Alex Morgan Portland Thorns FC USA 8 goals, 5 assists
Forward Lianne Sanderson Boston Breakers England 5 goals, 7 assists
Forward Christine Sinclair Portland Thorns FC Canada 8 goals, 2 assists
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