NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced for 2019 season

The NWSL announced the 2019 Best XI and Second XI on Thursday afternoon and a total of nine players come from the two teams – the North Carolina Courage and the Chicago Red Stars – who will play for the championship on Sunday.

The Best XI and Second XI are a result of voting conducted from October 17-22among players, media, fans and owners/GMs/coaches.

A total of 16 players, including 14 Americans, who played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup this past summer were named.

The Best XI was divided among six teams, with the Red Stars having three players, the Washington Spirit, Utah Royals and Portland thorns with two each and the Orlando Pride and Courage with one.

Voting breakdown: Fans (20%), Owners/GMs/Coaches (20%), Media (20%) and Players (40%).

2019 NWSL Best XI

Goalkeeper: Aubrey Bledsoe
Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Ali Krieger, Becky Sauerbrunn, Casey Short
Midfielders: Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle
Forwards: Tobin Heath, Sam Kerr, Christen Press

2019 NWSL Second XI

Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Lauren Barnes, Abby Erceg, Kelley O’Hara, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders: Bethany Balcer, Crystal Dunn, Yuki Nagasato
Forwards: Kristen Hamilton, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe

A look at the regular season stats of the 2019 NWSL Best XI:

GK: Aubrey Bledsoe, Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe made 24 starts in 2019 and earned nine clean sheets. She made 86 saves which was tops in the NWSL for the 2019 season. Bledsoe conceded 25 goals and had a save percentage of 77.5%. She had a total of 290 recoveries which was the highest in the NWSL in 2019. Bledsoe also had the highest number of catches this season with 25.

D: Abby Dahlkemper, North Carolina Courage

North Carolina defender Abby Dahlkemper played 1,260 minutes over 14 appearances in 2019. She had a tackle rate of 50% along with 52 clearances and 13 interceptions. Dahlkemper ranked second in the league with an 87.2% pass rate on 890 total passes.

D: Ali Krieger, Orlando Pride

Orlando Pride defender Ali Krieger played 1,080 minutes in 12 appearances. Her pass rate was 76.5% averaging a 37.7% passes per 90 minutes. Krieger’s duel rate was 57.7%, alongside 47 clearances and a total of 16 interceptions.

D: Becky Sauerbrunn, Utah Royals FC

Utah Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn appeared in 14 matches, playing a total of 1,260 minutes. She ranked 10th in the league with 76 clearances. Sauerbrunn had an impressive duel rate of 71.2% and a pass rate of 87.6%. She scored one goal on three shots in 2019.

D: Casey Short, Chicago Red Stars

Chicago Red Stars defender Casey Short ranked 16th in the league with 2,055 minutes played in 2019. She appeared
in 23 games for the Red Stars and scored two goals on 10 shots. Short tallied three assists in 2019 and had a total of
43 clearances. She recorded 26 interceptions and had a dual rate of 52.7%.

M: Julie Ertz, Chicago Red Stars

The Chicago Red Stars midfielder played a total of 14 games and 1,260 minutes in 2019. She had a total of 51 clearances and 13 interceptions. Ertz tackle rate was 64% while her duels rate was 57.6%. She recorded a 72.7% pass rate average with a total of 713 passes.

M: Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC

In 13 games, Horan played a total of 1,147 minutes. Horan ranked third in the league with 77 aerial duels won. Horan’s average pass rate was 75.7% with a total of 750 passes. She scored one goal on 18 shots, won 21 fouls and had 19 key passes in 2019.

M: Rose Lavelle, Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit midfielder was named the Best IX while playing in just six games in 2019 and a total of 450 minutes. Her pass rate was a 74.6%, with long passes being a 58.8% rate. Lavelle scored one goal on six shots this season. She earned a 60% tackle rate, a 52.2% duels rate, and 50% aerial rate.

F: Tobin Heath, Portland Thorns FC

The Portland Thorns FC attacker played a total of 13 games. She recorded 1,093 minutes and held a pass rate of 75.4%. Heath had a total of 16 shots on target with three goals scored. She won 26 fouls and had a total of 38 key passes.

F: Sam Kerr, Chicago Red Stars

In 21 matches, Kerr scored 18 goals (the most any NWSL player has scored in a single season and breaking her own record). She played 1,862 minutes and had a total of 53 shots on target, the highest in the league. The Australian international averaged a goal every 102.7. Kerr also assisted on five goals. Her tackle rate was 92.3%, one of the highest from any attacker in the league.

F: Christen Press, Utah Royals FC

Utah Royals FC attacker Christen Press played 1,255 minutes in 14 games. She had a total of 26 shots on target and scored 8 goals. Press had two assists in 2019 and a 72.7% pass rate. She had a 54.2% long pass rate and a 58.3% tackle rate.