

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.
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.
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 |
