Nine USWNT players named to CONCACAF Female Best XI

CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – On the heels of Alex Morgan being named the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Female Player of the Year last Sunday, nine Americans, including Morgan, have been named to the CONCACAF Female Best XI.

In addition, as part of eight year-end awards unveiled by CONCACAF today, goalkeeper Adrianna Franch of the Portland Thorns was named the CONCACAF Female Goalkeeper of the Year. U.S. WNT veteran Ashlyn Harris of the Orlando Pride finished second.

The Female Best XI included four players from the 2017 NWSL Champion Portland Thorns FC in Franch, defender Emily Menges and midfielders Allie Long and Lindsey Horan.

+READ: Alex Morgan wins 2017 CONCACAF Female Player of the Year

The other Americans named were defender Abby Dahlkemper of the North Carolina Courage, defender Ali Krieger of the Orlando Pride, defender Becky Sauerbrunn, currently of Utah Royals FC, midfielder Carli Lloyd of the Houston Dash and Morgan, who plays for the Orlando Pride.

All but Menges played or trained with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2017.

2017 CONCACAF FEMALE BEST XI
Goalkeeper
Adrianna Franch | United States; Portland Thorns FC

Defenders
Abby Dahlkemper | United States; North Carolina Courage
Ali Krieger | United States; Orlando Pride
Becky Sauerbrunn | United States; FC Kansas City
Emily Menges | United States; Portland Thorns FC

Midfielders
Allie Long | United States; Portland Thorns FC
Carli Lloyd | United States; Houston Dash
Jessie Fleming | Canada; UCLA
Lindsey Horan | United States; Portland Thorns FC

Forwards
Alex Morgan | United States; Orlando Pride
Marta | Brazil; Orlando Pride

It was the third such honor for Sauerbrunn, Lloyd and Morgan, who were all on the CONCACAF Best XI in 2016 and 2015, which was the first year it was selected. Krieger was a CONCACAF Best XI selection last year.

The CONCACAF Awards are designed to honor the year’s outstanding performers and achievements in confederation-sanctioned competitions involving national teams at all levels and age categories, including FIFA World Cup matches and qualifying for both genders. Performances eligible for recognition also included those achieved in professional club leagues within the CONCACAF Member Associations.