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 2024, 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
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Nicole Barnhart | FC Kansas City | 10 shutouts |
| Defender | Christie Rampone | Sky Blue FC | 1.20 GAA |
| Defender | Leigh Ann Robinson | FC Kansas City | 5 assists |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City | 1.00 GAA |
| Defender | Brittany Taylor | Western New York Flash | 3 goals, 4 assists |
| Midfielder | Lori Chalupny | Chicago Red Stars | 5 goals, 4 assists |
| Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC | 4 goals |
| Midfielder | Lauren Holiday | FC Kansas City | 12 goals, 9 assists |
| Midfielder | Diana Matheson | Washington Spirit | 8 goals, 3 assists |
| Forward | Sydney Leroux | Boston Breakers | 11 goals, 2 assists |
| Forward | Abby Wambach | Western New York Flash | 11 goals, 8 assists |
Second XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Adrianna Franch | Western New York Flash |
| Defender | Rachel Buehler | Portland Thorns |
| Defender | Caitlin Foord | Sky Blue FC |
| Defender | Ali Krieger | Washington Spirit |
| Defender | Lauren Sesselmann | FC Kansas City |
| Midfielder | Megan Rapinoe | Seattle Reign FC |
| Midfielder | Desiree Scott | FC Kansas City |
| Midfielder | Erika Tymrak | FC Kansas City |
| Forward | Alex Morgan | Portland Thorns |
| Forward | Lianne Sanderson | Boston Breakers |
| Forward | Christine Sinclair | Portland Thorns |
2014
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Alyssa Naeher | Boston Breakers | 106 saves |
| Defender | Kendall Fletcher | Seattle Reign FC | .83 team GAA |
| Defender | Ali Krieger | Washington Spirit | 1 goal |
| Defender | Christie Rampone | Sky Blue FC | 1 goal, 2 assists |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City | 8 shutouts |
| Midfielder | Verónica Boquete | Portland Thorns FC | 4 goals, 6 assists |
| Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC | 4 goals, 8 assists |
| Midfielder | Kim Little | Seattle Reign FC | 16 goals, 7 assists |
| Forward | Lauren Holiday | FC Kansas City | 8 goals, 7 assists |
| Forward | Nahomi Kawasumi | Seattle Reign FC | 9 goals, 5 assists |
| Forward | Amy Rodriguez | FC Kansas City | 13 goals, 3 assists |
Second XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Hope Solo | Seattle Reign FC | 5 shutouts |
| Defender | Lauren Barnes | Seattle Reign FC | .83 team GAA |
| Defender | Stephanie Catley | Portland Thorns FC | 5 assists |
| Defender | Stephanie Cox | Seattle Reign FC | .83 team GAA |
| Defender | Julie Johnston | Chicago Red Stars | Rookie of the Year |
| Midfielder | Carli Lloyd | Western New York Flash | 8 goals, 5 assists |
| Midfielder | Allie Long | Portland Thorns FC | 9 goals, 3 assists |
| Midfielder | Heather O'Reilly | Boston Breakers | 9 goals, 5 assists |
| Forward | Christen Press | Chicago Red Stars | 6 goals |
| Forward | Jessica McDonald | Portland Thorns FC | 11 goals, 1 assist |
| Forward | Jodie Taylor | Washington Spirit | 11 goals, 2 assists |
2015
Announced September 24, 2015[3]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Michelle Betos | Portland Thorns FC | 45 saves |
| Defender | Lauren Barnes | Seattle Reign FC | 1,800 minutes |
| Defender | Julie Johnston | Chicago Red Stars | 1.10 team GAA |
| Defender | Amy LePeilbet | FC Kansas City | 1,800 minutes |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City | 1.00 GAA |
| Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC | 8 goals, 2 assists |
| Midfielder | Kim Little | Seattle Reign FC | 10 goals, 7 assists |
| Midfielder | Allie Long | Portland Thorns FC | 10 goals, 4 assists |
| Forward | Crystal Dunn | Washington Spirit | 15 goals, 3 assists |
| Forward | Christen Press | Chicago Red Stars | 10 goals, 2 assists |
| Forward | Beverly Yanez | Seattle Reign FC | 9 goals |
Second XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Nicole Barnhart | FC Kansas City | 8 shutouts |
| Defender | Stephanie Cox | Seattle Reign FC | 1,800 minutes |
| Defender | Kendall Fletcher | Seattle Reign FC | 2 goals, 2 assists |
| Defender | Arin Gilliland | Chicago Red Stars | 1.10 team GAA |
| Defender | Leigh Ann Robinson | FC Kansas City | 1,800 minutes |
| Midfielder | Danielle Colaprico | Chicago Red Stars | 1,776 minutes |
| Midfielder | Lauren Holiday | FC Kansas City | 2 goals, 2 assists |
| Midfielder | Carli Lloyd | Houston Dash | 4 goals |
| Midfielder | Keelin Winters | Seattle Reign FC | 1,654 minutes |
| Forward | Sofia Huerta | Chicago Red Stars | 6 goals, 3 assists |
| Forward | Megan Rapinoe | Seattle Reign FC | 5 goals, 5 assists |
2016
Announced October 7, 2016[4]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Ashlyn Harris | Orlando Pride | 62 saves |
| Defender | Lauren Barnes | Seattle Reign FC | 1,775 minutes |
| Defender | Arin Gilliland | Chicago Red Stars | 1.00 team GAA |
| Defender | Emily Menges | Portland Thorns FC | 0.95 team GAA |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City | 1.00 team GAA |
| Midfielder | Tobin Heath | Portland Thorns FC | Goal, 10 assists |
| Midfielder | Allie Long | Portland Thorns FC | 6 goals, 2 assists |
| Forward | Jessica McDonald | Western New York Flash | 10 goals, 7 assists |
| Forward | Kealia Ohai | Houston Dash | 11 goals, 4 assists |
| Forward | Christen Press | Chicago Red Stars | 8 goals |
| Forward | Lynn Williams | Western New York Flash | 11 goals, 5 assists |
Second XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Alyssa Naeher | Chicago Red Stars | 1.00 GAA |
| Defender | Julie Johnston | Chicago Red Stars | 1.00 team GAA |
| Defender | Ali Krieger | Washington Spirit | 1.05 team GAA |
| Defender | Christie Rampone | Sky Blue FC | 1,800 minutes |
| Defender | Casey Short | Chicago Red Stars | 1,781 minutes |
| Midfielder | Danielle Colaprico | Chicago Red Stars | Goal, 2 assists |
| Midfielder | Vanessa DiBernardo | Chicago Red Stars | 7 assists |
| Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC | Goals, 4 assists |
| Midfielder | Kim Little | Seattle Reign FC | 6 goals, 2 assists |
| Forward | Crystal Dunn | Washington Spirit | 2 goals, 5 assists |
| Forward | Shea Groom | FC Kansas City | 8 goals |
2017
Announced October 12, 2017[5]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Adrianna Franch | Portland Thorns FC | 11 shutouts, 80 saves, .83 GAA |
| Defender | Casey Short | Chicago Red Stars | 1 goal, 3rd-best defense in NWSL |
| Defender | Abby Dahlkemper | North Carolina Courage | 121 corner kicks taken, 2 assists |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City | 157 clearances, 24 blocks, 1 goal, 2 assists |
| Defender | Ali Krieger | Orlando Pride | 99 clearances, 49 interceptions, 2 assists |
| Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC | 7 goals, 2 assists |
| Midfielder | Sam Mewis | North Carolina Courage | 6 goals, 3 assists |
| Midfielder | McCall Zerboni | North Carolina Courage | 3 goals, 1 assist |
| Forward | Marta | Orlando Pride | 13 goals, 6 assists, 64 chances created |
| Forward | Sam Kerr | Sky Blue FC | 17 goals, 4 assists, 2 hattricks, 1 4-goal game |
| Forward | Christen Press | Chicago Red Stars | 11 goals, 4 assists |
Second XI
Announced October 10, 2017[6]
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB | NOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Katelyn Rowland | North Carolina Courage | 39 saves, 8 shutouts |
| Defender | Steph Catley | Orlando Pride | 2,032 minutes played |
| Defender | Abby Erceg | North Carolina Courage | 1 goal, 2 assists |
| Defender | Meghan Klingenberg | Portland Thorns FC | 6 assists |
| Defender | Emily Menges | Portland Thorns FC | 2,063 minutes played |
| Midfielder | Danielle Colaprico | Chicago Red Stars | 1,903 minutes played |
| Midfielder | Julie Ertz | Chicago Red Stars | 4 goals, 3 assists |
| Midfielder | Lindsey Horan | Portland Thorns FC | 4 goals, 2 assists |
| Midfielder | Sofia Huerta | Chicago Red Stars | 6 goals, 4 assists |
| Forward | Alex Morgan | Orlando Pride | 9 goals, 4 assists |
| Forward | Megan Rapinoe | Seattle Reign FC | 12 goals, 1 assist |
2018
Announced September 20, 2018[7]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Adrianna Franch | Portland Thorns FC |
| Defender | Emily Sonnett | Portland Thorns FC |
| Defender | Abby Dahlkemper | North Carolina Courage |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | Utah Royals FC |
| Defender | Abby Erceg | North Carolina Courage |
| Midfielder | Tobin Heath | Portland Thorns FC |
| Midfielder | Lindsey Horan | Portland Thorns FC |
| Midfielder | McCall Zerboni | North Carolina Courage |
| Forward | Crystal Dunn | North Carolina Courage |
| Forward | Sam Kerr | Chicago Red Stars |
| Forward | Megan Rapinoe | Seattle Reign |
Second XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Lydia Williams | Seattle Reign |
| Defender | Emily Menges | Portland Thorns FC |
| Defender | Merritt Mathias | North Carolina Courage |
| Defender | Steph Catley | Seattle Reign |
| Defender | Julie Ertz | Chicago Red Stars |
| Midfielder | Carli Lloyd | Sky Blue FC |
| Midfielder | Christine Sinclair | Portland Thorns FC |
| Midfielder | Debinha | North Carolina Courage |
| Forward | Lynn Williams | North Carolina Courage |
| Forward | Sofia Huerta | Houston Dash |
| Forward | Rachel Daly | Houston Dash |
2019
Announced October 24, 2019[8]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Aubrey Bledsoe | Washington Spirit |
| Defender | Abby Dahlkemper | North Carolina Courage |
| Defender | Ali Krieger | Orlando Pride |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | Utah Royals FC |
| Defender | Casey Short | Chicago Red Stars |
| Midfielder | Julie Ertz | Chicago Red Stars |
| Midfielder | Lindsey Horan | Portland Thorns FC |
| Midfielder | Rose Lavelle | Washington Spirit |
| Forward | Tobin Heath | Portland Thorns FC |
| Forward | Sam Kerr | Chicago Red Stars |
| Forward | Christen Press | Utah Royals FC |
Second XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Alyssa Naeher | Chicago Red Stars |
| Defender | Lauren Barnes | Reign FC |
| Defender | Abby Erceg | North Carolina Courage |
| Defender | Kelley O'Hara | Utah Royals FC |
| Defender | Emily Sonnett | Portland Thorns FC |
| Midfielder | Bethany Balcer | Reign FC |
| Midfielder | Crystal Dunn | North Carolina Courage |
| Midfielder | Yūki Nagasato | Chicago Red Stars |
| Forward | Kristen Hamilton | North Carolina Courage |
| Forward | Carli Lloyd | Sky Blue FC |
| Forward | Megan Rapinoe | Reign FC |
2020
The 2020 NWSL regular season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]
2021
Announced November 17, 2021[10]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Kailen Sheridan | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
| Defender | Caprice Dydasco | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
| Alana Cook | OL Reign | |
| Sarah Gorden | Chicago Red Stars | |
| Carson Pickett | North Carolina Courage | |
| Midfielder/Forward | Ashley Hatch | Washington Spirit |
| Jess Fishlock | OL Reign | |
| Eugénie Le Sommer | OL Reign | |
| Margaret Purce | NJ/NY Gotham FC | |
| Trinity Rodman | Washington Spirit | |
| Angela Salem | Portland Thorns FC |
Second XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Bella Bixby | Portland Thorns FC |
| Defender | Sofia Huerta | OL Reign |
| Emily Menges | Portland Thorns FC | |
| Emily Fox | Racing Louisville FC | |
| Meghan Klingenberg | Portland Thorns FC | |
| Midfielder/Forward | Bethany Balcer | OL Reign |
| Lindsey Horan | Portland Thorns FC | |
| Mallory Pugh | Chicago Red Stars | |
| Rachel Daly | Houston Dash | |
| Sydney Leroux | Orlando Pride | |
| Ifeoma Onumonu | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
2022
Announced October 25, 2022[11]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Kailen Sheridan | San Diego Wave FC |
| Defender | Alana Cook | OL Reign |
| Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave FC | |
| Sofia Huerta | OL Reign | |
| Carson Pickett | North Carolina Courage | |
| Midfielder/Forward | Sam Coffey | Portland Thorns FC |
| Lo'eau LaBonta | Kansas City Current | |
| Alex Morgan | San Diego Wave FC | |
| Debinha | North Carolina Courage | |
| Mallory Pugh | Chicago Red Stars | |
| Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns FC |
Second XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Adrianna Franch | Kansas City Current |
| Defender | Kelli Hubly | Portland Thorns FC |
| Hailie Mace | Kansas City Current | |
| Tatumn Milazzo | Chicago Red Stars | |
| Becky Sauerbrunn | Portland Thorns FC | |
| Midfielder/Forward | Kerolin | North Carolina Courage |
| Jess Fishlock | OL Reign | |
| Rose Lavelle | OL Reign | |
| Diana Ordóñez | North Carolina Courage | |
| Megan Rapinoe | OL Reign | |
| Ebony Salmon | Houston Dash |
2023
Announced November 6, 2023[12]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Jane Campbell | Houston Dash |
| Defender | Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave FC |
| Ali Krieger | NJ/NY Gotham FC | |
| Sarah Gorden | Angel City FC | |
| Sam Staab | Washington Spirit | |
| Midfielder/Forward | Sam Coffey | Portland Thorns FC |
| Debinha | Kansas City Current | |
| Jaedyn Shaw | San Diego Wave FC | |
| Kerolin | North Carolina Courage | |
| Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns FC | |
| Lynn Williams | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
Second XI
2024
Announced November 18, 2024[1]
Best XI
| POSITION | PLAYER | CLUB |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Ann-Katrin Berger | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
| Defender | Emily Sams | Orlando Pride |
| Casey Krueger | Washington Spirit | |
| Kaleigh Kurtz | North Carolina Courage | |
| Jenna Nighswonger | NJ/NY Gotham FC | |
| Midfielder/Forward | Temwa Chawinga | Kansas City Current |
| Barbra Banda | Orlando Pride | |
| Marta | Orlando Pride | |
| Croix Bethune | Washington Spirit | |
| Trinity Rodman | Washington Spirit | |
| Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns FC |
Second XI
Most selections
- As of November 18, 2024. Only players with multiple total selections are included.
| Players still active in the NWSL | |
| Bold* | Players on most recent list |
See also
- List of sports awards honoring women
- NWSL Players' Awards
- NWSL awards
- NWSL records and statistics
- Women's soccer in the United States
References
- ^ a b "NWSL Announces Winners of 2024 NWSL Best XI Awards, presented by Amazon Prime". November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ "National Women's Soccer League Announces 2014 Best XI – Chicago Red Stars". chicagoredstars.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "2017 Best XI announced". NWSL. October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
- ^ "NWSL announces Second XI selections". NWSL. October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ^ "2018 NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced". September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ "2019 NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced". October 24, 2019. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
- ^ "2020 Champions Cup Presented by P&G and Secret Roster Rules" (PDF). NWSL. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ "NWSL Announces the Winners of Mastercard Inaugural 2021 Best XI Awards". October 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "NWSL Announces Winners of Mastercard Best XI Awards". October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
- ^ "NWSL Announces Winners of 2023 Mastercard Best XI Awards". November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.