Chicago Red Stars Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher Named NWSL Player of the Month
Alyssa Naeher of Chicago Red Stars is named NWSL Player of the Month after recording three shutouts and allowing one goal in four matches. Naeher was accompanied with a strong defensive line including U.S. Women’s National Team defender Julie Johnston as Chicago set a NWSL record with a 485-minute shutout streak.
Soccer News: Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was voted the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Month by the NWSL Media Association for the month of May of the 2016 NWSL season.
Naeher, 28, allowed just one goal in four matches and posted three shutouts during the month as the Red Stars vaulted to the top of the standings with a league-best 3-0-2 record during May.
The Bridgeport, Conn. native currently ranks third with 22 saves on the season and also has four shutouts – tied with Washington Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé for the most in the league.
The offseason acquisition – who was brought to Chicago in a Nov. 22 trade with the Boston Breakers that sent U.S. international defender Whitney Engen in the other direction and also involved an exchange of draft picks – enjoyed one of the best runs of her professional career in May.
The Penn State product was a vital part of the Red Stars defensive unit – along with defenders Julie Johnston, Arin Gilliland, Katie Naughton, Casey Short and Samantha Johnson – that set a new NWSL record with a 485-minute shutout streak from April 16 to May 22.
The goalkeeper and her backline eclipsed the previous record of 435 minutes held by Brittany Cameron and Sky Blue FC, but Naeher fell short of the individual record of 588 consecutive minutes established by FC Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart from May 21 to July 13 during the 2014 season.
It is the first time Naeher has been honored as the NWSL Player of the Month. She is the third Red Stars player to win the award along with U.S. international forward Christen Press (April 2015) and forward Sophia Huerta (May 2015). Naeher is also the third goalkeeper to earn the accolade – following in the footsteps of Cameron (May 2013) and Barnhart (June 2014).
The Chicago Red Stars will return to action Sunday, June 12 at 6 p.m. ET against Portland Thorns FC at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.
The NWSL Player of the Month is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of press that cover the league on a consistent basis.
Source/Photo Credit: Chicago Red Stars
