NWSL’s Top Players
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced the Best XI selections for the 2014 NWSL Season.
The team of the league’s elite features seven players who are set to take the field in the 2014 NWSL Championship Game between Seattle Reign FC and FC Kansas City on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash.
The match kicks off at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
Four players – Sky Blue FC defender Christie Rampone, FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn , Seattle Reign FC midfielder Jess Fishlock and FC Kansas City forward Lauren Holiday – were voted to the Best XI for the second consecutive season. And this year there are some surprises – and some famous players who did not make the list.
The NWSL Best XI team (listed alphabetically, by position):
NWSL Best XI
| Position | Player | Club |
Country |
Note |
| Goalkeeper | Alyssa Naeher | Boston Breakers |
USA |
106 saves |
| Defender | Kendall Fletcher | Seattle Reign FC |
USA |
.83 team GAA |
| Defender | Ali Krieger | Washington Spirit |
USA |
1 goal |
| Defender | Christie Rampone | Sky Blue FC |
USA |
1 goal, 2 assists |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City |
USA |
8 shutouts |
| Midfielder | Verónica Boquete | Portland Thorns FC |
Spain |
4 goals, 6 assists |
| Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC |
Wales |
4 goals, 8 assists |
| Midfielder | Kim Little | Seattle Reign FC |
Scotland |
16 goals, 7 assists |
| Forward | Lauren Holiday | FC Kansas City |
USA |
8 goals, 7 assists |
| Forward | Nahomi Kawasumi | Seattle Reign FC |
Japan |
9 goals, 5 assists |
| Forward | Amy Rodriguez | FC Kansas City |
USA |
13 goals, 3 assists |
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.
Some how Hope Solo’s five shutouts for Seattle Reign FC did not get the top #1 spot which was awarded to Alyssa Naeher from the Boston breakers who notched over 100 saves in front of the net.
The NWSL Second XI is comprised of the next leading vote getters at each position that did not make the Best XI (listed alphabetically, by position):
NWSL Second XI
| Position | Player | Club |
Country |
Note |
| Goalkeeper | Hope Solo | Seattle Reign FC |
USA |
5 shutouts |
| Defender | Lauren Barnes | Seattle Reign FC |
USA |
.83 team GAA |
| Defender | Stephanie Catley | Portland Thorns FC |
Australia |
5 assists |
| Defender | Stephanie Cox | Seattle Reign FC |
USA |
.83 team GAA |
| Defender | Julie Johnston | Chicago Red Stars |
USA |
Rookie of the Year |
| Midfielder | Carli Lloyd | Western New York Flash |
USA |
8 goals, 5 assists |
| Midfielder | Allie Long | Portland Thorns FC |
USA |
9 goals, 3 assists |
| Midfielder | Heather O’Reilly | Boston Breakers |
USA |
9 goals, 5 assists |
| Forward | Jessica McDonald | Portland Thorns FC |
USA |
11 goals, 1 assist |
| Forward | Christen Press | Chicago Red Stars |
USA |
6 goals |
| Forward | Jodie Taylor | Washington Spirit |
England |
11 goals, 2 assist |
The NWSL awards are voted on by a selection of journalists that cover the league on a consistent basis, club officials and NWSL players.
