NWSL Second XI

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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
GoalkeeperUnited States Nicole BarnhartFC Kansas City10 shutouts
DefenderUnited States Christie RamponeSky Blue FC1.20 GAA
DefenderUnited States Leigh Ann RobinsonFC Kansas City5 assists
DefenderUnited States Becky SauerbrunnFC Kansas City1.00 GAA
DefenderUnited States Brittany TaylorWestern New York Flash3 goals, 4 assists
MidfielderUnited States Lori ChalupnyChicago Red Stars5 goals, 4 assists
MidfielderWales Jess FishlockSeattle Reign FC4 goals
MidfielderUnited States Lauren HolidayFC Kansas City12 goals, 9 assists
MidfielderCanada Diana MathesonWashington Spirit8 goals, 3 assists
ForwardUnited States Sydney LerouxBoston Breakers11 goals, 2 assists
ForwardUnited States Abby WambachWestern New York Flash11 goals, 8 assists

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperUnited States Adrianna FranchWestern New York Flash
DefenderUnited States Rachel BuehlerPortland Thorns
DefenderAustralia Caitlin FoordSky Blue FC
DefenderUnited States Ali KriegerWashington Spirit
DefenderCanada Lauren SesselmannFC Kansas City
MidfielderUnited States Megan RapinoeSeattle Reign FC
MidfielderCanada Desiree ScottFC Kansas City
MidfielderUnited States Erika TymrakFC Kansas City
ForwardUnited States Alex MorganPortland Thorns
ForwardEngland Lianne SandersonBoston Breakers
ForwardCanada Christine SinclairPortland Thorns

2014

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
GoalkeeperUnited States Alyssa NaeherBoston Breakers106 saves
DefenderUnited States Kendall FletcherSeattle Reign FC.83 team GAA
DefenderUnited States Ali KriegerWashington Spirit1 goal
DefenderUnited States Christie RamponeSky Blue FC1 goal, 2 assists
DefenderUnited States Becky SauerbrunnFC Kansas City8 shutouts
MidfielderSpain Verónica BoquetePortland Thorns FC4 goals, 6 assists
MidfielderWales Jess FishlockSeattle Reign FC4 goals, 8 assists
MidfielderScotland Kim LittleSeattle Reign FC16 goals, 7 assists
ForwardUnited States Lauren HolidayFC Kansas City8 goals, 7 assists
ForwardJapan Nahomi KawasumiSeattle Reign FC9 goals, 5 assists
ForwardUnited States Amy RodriguezFC Kansas City13 goals, 3 assists

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
GoalkeeperUnited States Hope SoloSeattle Reign FC5 shutouts
DefenderUnited States Lauren BarnesSeattle Reign FC.83 team GAA
DefenderAustralia Stephanie CatleyPortland Thorns FC5 assists
DefenderUnited States Stephanie CoxSeattle Reign FC.83 team GAA
DefenderUnited States Julie JohnstonChicago Red StarsRookie of the Year
MidfielderUnited States Carli LloydWestern New York Flash8 goals, 5 assists
MidfielderUnited States Allie LongPortland Thorns FC9 goals, 3 assists
MidfielderUnited States Heather O'ReillyBoston Breakers9 goals, 5 assists
ForwardUnited States Christen PressChicago Red Stars6 goals
ForwardUnited States Jessica McDonaldPortland Thorns FC11 goals, 1 assist
ForwardEngland Jodie TaylorWashington Spirit11 goals, 2 assists

[2]

2015

Announced September 24, 2015[3]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
GoalkeeperUnited States Michelle BetosPortland Thorns FC45 saves
DefenderUnited States Lauren BarnesSeattle Reign FC1,800 minutes
DefenderUnited States Julie JohnstonChicago Red Stars1.10 team GAA
DefenderUnited States Amy LePeilbetFC Kansas City1,800 minutes
DefenderUnited States Becky SauerbrunnFC Kansas City1.00 GAA
MidfielderWales Jess FishlockSeattle Reign FC8 goals, 2 assists
MidfielderScotland Kim LittleSeattle Reign FC10 goals, 7 assists
MidfielderUnited States Allie LongPortland Thorns FC10 goals, 4 assists
ForwardUnited States Crystal DunnWashington Spirit15 goals, 3 assists
ForwardUnited States Christen PressChicago Red Stars10 goals, 2 assists
ForwardUnited States Beverly YanezSeattle Reign FC9 goals

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
GoalkeeperUnited States Nicole BarnhartFC Kansas City8 shutouts
DefenderUnited States Stephanie CoxSeattle Reign FC1,800 minutes
DefenderUnited States Kendall FletcherSeattle Reign FC2 goals, 2 assists
DefenderUnited States Arin GillilandChicago Red Stars1.10 team GAA
DefenderUnited States Leigh Ann RobinsonFC Kansas City1,800 minutes
MidfielderUnited States Danielle ColapricoChicago Red Stars1,776 minutes
MidfielderUnited States Lauren HolidayFC Kansas City2 goals, 2 assists
MidfielderUnited States Carli LloydHouston Dash4 goals
MidfielderUnited States Keelin WintersSeattle Reign FC1,654 minutes
ForwardUnited States Sofia HuertaChicago Red Stars6 goals, 3 assists
ForwardUnited States Megan RapinoeSeattle Reign FC5 goals, 5 assists

2016

Announced October 7, 2016[4]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
GoalkeeperUnited States Ashlyn HarrisOrlando Pride62 saves
DefenderUnited States Lauren BarnesSeattle Reign FC1,775 minutes
DefenderUnited States Arin GillilandChicago Red Stars1.00 team GAA
DefenderUnited States Emily MengesPortland Thorns FC0.95 team GAA
DefenderUnited States Becky SauerbrunnFC Kansas City1.00 team GAA
MidfielderUnited States Tobin HeathPortland Thorns FCGoal, 10 assists
MidfielderUnited States Allie LongPortland Thorns FC6 goals, 2 assists
ForwardUnited States Jessica McDonaldWestern New York Flash10 goals, 7 assists
ForwardUnited States Kealia OhaiHouston Dash11 goals, 4 assists
ForwardUnited States Christen PressChicago Red Stars8 goals
ForwardUnited States Lynn WilliamsWestern New York Flash11 goals, 5 assists

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
GoalkeeperUnited States Alyssa NaeherChicago Red Stars1.00 GAA
DefenderUnited States Julie JohnstonChicago Red Stars1.00 team GAA
DefenderUnited States Ali KriegerWashington Spirit1.05 team GAA
DefenderUnited States Christie RamponeSky Blue FC1,800 minutes
DefenderUnited States Casey ShortChicago Red Stars1,781 minutes
MidfielderUnited States Danielle ColapricoChicago Red StarsGoal, 2 assists
MidfielderUnited States Vanessa DiBernardoChicago Red Stars7 assists
MidfielderWales Jess FishlockSeattle Reign FCGoals, 4 assists
MidfielderScotland Kim LittleSeattle Reign FC6 goals, 2 assists
ForwardUnited States Crystal DunnWashington Spirit2 goals, 5 assists
ForwardUnited States Shea GroomFC Kansas City8 goals

2017

Announced October 12, 2017[5]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
GoalkeeperUnited States Adrianna FranchPortland Thorns FC11 shutouts, 80 saves, .83 GAA
DefenderUnited States Casey ShortChicago Red Stars1 goal, 3rd-best defense in NWSL
DefenderUnited States Abby DahlkemperNorth Carolina Courage121 corner kicks taken, 2 assists
DefenderUnited States Becky SauerbrunnFC Kansas City157 clearances, 24 blocks, 1 goal, 2 assists
DefenderUnited States Ali KriegerOrlando Pride99 clearances, 49 interceptions, 2 assists
MidfielderWales Jess FishlockSeattle Reign FC7 goals, 2 assists
MidfielderUnited States Sam MewisNorth Carolina Courage6 goals, 3 assists
MidfielderUnited States McCall ZerboniNorth Carolina Courage3 goals, 1 assist
ForwardBrazil MartaOrlando Pride13 goals, 6 assists, 64 chances created
ForwardAustralia Sam KerrSky Blue FC17 goals, 4 assists, 2 hattricks, 1 4-goal game
ForwardUnited States Christen PressChicago Red Stars11 goals, 4 assists

Second XI

Announced October 10, 2017[6]

POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE
GoalkeeperUnited States Katelyn RowlandNorth Carolina Courage39 saves, 8 shutouts
DefenderAustralia Steph CatleyOrlando Pride2,032 minutes played
DefenderNew Zealand Abby ErcegNorth Carolina Courage1 goal, 2 assists
DefenderUnited States Meghan KlingenbergPortland Thorns FC6 assists
DefenderUnited States Emily MengesPortland Thorns FC2,063 minutes played
MidfielderUnited States Danielle ColapricoChicago Red Stars1,903 minutes played
MidfielderUnited States Julie ErtzChicago Red Stars4 goals, 3 assists
MidfielderUnited States Lindsey HoranPortland Thorns FC4 goals, 2 assists
MidfielderUnited States Sofia HuertaChicago Red Stars6 goals, 4 assists
ForwardUnited States Alex MorganOrlando Pride9 goals, 4 assists
ForwardUnited States Megan RapinoeSeattle Reign FC12 goals, 1 assist

2018

Announced September 20, 2018[7]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperUnited States Adrianna FranchPortland Thorns FC
DefenderUnited States Emily SonnettPortland Thorns FC
DefenderUnited States Abby DahlkemperNorth Carolina Courage
DefenderUnited States Becky SauerbrunnUtah Royals FC
DefenderNew Zealand Abby ErcegNorth Carolina Courage
MidfielderUnited States Tobin HeathPortland Thorns FC
MidfielderUnited States Lindsey HoranPortland Thorns FC
MidfielderUnited States McCall ZerboniNorth Carolina Courage
ForwardUnited States Crystal DunnNorth Carolina Courage
ForwardAustralia Sam KerrChicago Red Stars
ForwardUnited States Megan RapinoeSeattle Reign

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperAustralia Lydia WilliamsSeattle Reign
DefenderUnited States Emily MengesPortland Thorns FC
DefenderUnited States Merritt MathiasNorth Carolina Courage
DefenderAustralia Steph CatleySeattle Reign
DefenderUnited States Julie ErtzChicago Red Stars
MidfielderUnited States Carli LloydSky Blue FC
MidfielderCanada Christine SinclairPortland Thorns FC
MidfielderBrazil Debinha North Carolina Courage
ForwardUnited States Lynn WilliamsNorth Carolina Courage
ForwardUnited States Sofia HuertaHouston Dash
ForwardEngland Rachel DalyHouston Dash

2019

Announced October 24, 2019[8]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperUnited States Aubrey BledsoeWashington Spirit
DefenderUnited States Abby DahlkemperNorth Carolina Courage
DefenderUnited States Ali KriegerOrlando Pride
DefenderUnited States Becky SauerbrunnUtah Royals FC
DefenderUnited States Casey ShortChicago Red Stars
MidfielderUnited States Julie ErtzChicago Red Stars
MidfielderUnited States Lindsey HoranPortland Thorns FC
MidfielderUnited States Rose LavelleWashington Spirit
ForwardUnited States Tobin HeathPortland Thorns FC
ForwardAustralia Sam KerrChicago Red Stars
ForwardUnited States Christen PressUtah Royals FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperUnited States Alyssa NaeherChicago Red Stars
DefenderUnited States Lauren BarnesReign FC
DefenderNew Zealand Abby ErcegNorth Carolina Courage
DefenderUnited States Kelley O'HaraUtah Royals FC
DefenderUnited States Emily SonnettPortland Thorns FC
MidfielderUnited States Bethany BalcerReign FC
MidfielderUnited States Crystal DunnNorth Carolina Courage
MidfielderJapan Yūki NagasatoChicago Red Stars
ForwardUnited States Kristen HamiltonNorth Carolina Courage
ForwardUnited States Carli LloydSky Blue FC
ForwardUnited States Megan RapinoeReign 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
GoalkeeperCanada Kailen SheridanNJ/NY Gotham FC
DefenderUnited States Caprice DydascoNJ/NY Gotham FC
United States Alana CookOL Reign
United States Sarah GordenChicago Red Stars
United States Carson PickettNorth Carolina Courage
Midfielder/ForwardUnited States Ashley HatchWashington Spirit
Wales Jess FishlockOL Reign
France Eugénie Le SommerOL Reign
United States Margaret PurceNJ/NY Gotham FC
United States Trinity RodmanWashington Spirit
United States Angela SalemPortland Thorns FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperUnited States Bella BixbyPortland Thorns FC
DefenderUnited States Sofia HuertaOL Reign
United States Emily MengesPortland Thorns FC
United States Emily FoxRacing Louisville FC
United States Meghan KlingenbergPortland Thorns FC
Midfielder/ForwardUnited States Bethany BalcerOL Reign
United States Lindsey HoranPortland Thorns FC
United States Mallory PughChicago Red Stars
England Rachel DalyHouston Dash
United States Sydney LerouxOrlando Pride
Nigeria Ifeoma OnumonuNJ/NY Gotham FC

2022

Announced October 25, 2022[11]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperCanada Kailen SheridanSan Diego Wave FC
DefenderUnited States Alana CookOL Reign
United States Naomi GirmaSan Diego Wave FC
United States Sofia HuertaOL Reign
United States Carson PickettNorth Carolina Courage
Midfielder/ForwardUnited States Sam CoffeyPortland Thorns FC
United States Lo'eau LaBontaKansas City Current
United States Alex MorganSan Diego Wave FC
Brazil Debinha North Carolina Courage
United States Mallory PughChicago Red Stars
United States Sophia SmithPortland Thorns FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperUnited States Adrianna FranchKansas City Current
DefenderUnited States Kelli HublyPortland Thorns FC
United States Hailie MaceKansas City Current
United States Tatumn MilazzoChicago Red Stars
United States Becky SauerbrunnPortland Thorns FC
Midfielder/ForwardBrazil Kerolin North Carolina Courage
Wales Jess FishlockOL Reign
United States Rose LavelleOL Reign
Mexico Diana OrdóñezNorth Carolina Courage
United States Megan RapinoeOL Reign
England Ebony SalmonHouston Dash

2023

Announced November 6, 2023[12]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperUnited States Jane CampbellHouston Dash
DefenderUnited States Naomi GirmaSan Diego Wave FC
United States Ali KriegerNJ/NY Gotham FC
United States Sarah GordenAngel City FC
United States Sam StaabWashington Spirit
Midfielder/ForwardUnited States Sam CoffeyPortland Thorns FC
Brazil Debinha Kansas City Current
United States Jaedyn ShawSan Diego Wave FC
Brazil Kerolin North Carolina Courage
United States Sophia SmithPortland Thorns FC
United States Lynn WilliamsNJ/NY Gotham FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperCanada Kailen SheridanSan Diego Wave FC
DefenderUnited States Emily FoxNorth Carolina Courage
United States Kaleigh KurtzNorth Carolina Courage
United States Jenna NighswongerNJ/NY Gotham FC
United States M.A. VignolaAngel City FC
Midfielder/ForwardUnited States Savannah DeMeloRacing Louisville FC
United States Savannah McCaskillAngel City FC
Republic of Ireland Denise O'SullivanNorth Carolina Courage
United States Ashley HatchWashington Spirit
United States Alex MorganSan Diego Wave FC
United States Trinity RodmanWashington Spirit

2024

Announced November 18, 2024[1]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperGermany Ann-Katrin BergerNJ/NY Gotham FC
DefenderUnited States Emily SamsOrlando Pride
United States Casey KruegerWashington Spirit
United States Kaleigh KurtzNorth Carolina Courage
United States Jenna NighswongerNJ/NY Gotham FC
Midfielder/ForwardMalawi Temwa ChawingaKansas City Current
Zambia Barbra BandaOrlando Pride
Brazil MartaOrlando Pride
United States Croix BethuneWashington Spirit
United States Trinity RodmanWashington Spirit
United States Sophia SmithPortland Thorns FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperEngland Anna MoorhouseOrlando Pride
DefenderUnited States Naomi GirmaSan Diego Wave FC
United States Tara McKeownWashington Spirit
United States Kerry AbelloOrlando Pride
United States Ryan WilliamsNorth Carolina Courage
Midfielder/ForwardUnited States Vanessa DiBernardoKansas City Current
United States Lo'eau LaBontaKansas City Current
United States Hal HershfeltWashington Spirit
Spain Esther GonzálezNJ/NY Gotham FC
United States Rose LavelleNJ/NY Gotham FC
United States Yazmeen RyanNJ/NY Gotham FC

2025

Announced November 19, 2025[13]

Best XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperBrazil LorenaKansas City Current
DefenderUnited States Tara McKeownWashington Spirit
United States Avery PattersonHouston Dash
United States Izzy RodriguezKansas City Current
United States Kayla SharplesKansas City Current
Midfielder/ForwardMalawi Temwa ChawingaKansas City Current
United States Sam CoffeyPortland Thorns
Spain Esther GonzálezGotham FC
United States Claire HuttonKansas City Current
Japan Manaka MatsukuboNorth Carolina Courage
United States Olivia MoultriePortland Thorns FC

Second XI

POSITION PLAYER CLUB
GoalkeeperUnited States Claudia DickeySeattle Reign
DefenderUnited States Jordyn BuggSeattle Reign
United States Hailie MaceKansas City Current
United States Lilly RealeGotham FC
United States Emily SonnettGotham FC
Midfielder/ForwardUnited States Croix BethuneWashington Spirit
France Delphine CascarinoSan Diego Wave
France Kenza DaliSan Diego Wave
United States Taylor FlintRacing Louisville FC
United States Emma SearsRacing Louisville FC
Brazil Bia ZanerattoKansas City Current

Most selections

As of November 20, 2025. Only players with multiple total selections are included.
Players active in the NWSL as of 2025 season
Bold* Players on most recent Best XI or Second XI list
Nat. Player Best XI Second XI Total
United StatesBecky Sauerbrunn718
WalesJess Fishlock527
United StatesAli Krieger426
United StatesJulie Ertz246
United StatesMegan Rapinoe156
United StatesChristen Press415
United StatesSofia Huerta145
United StatesCasey Krueger314
United StatesCrystal Dunn224
United StatesAdrianna Franch224
United StatesLauren Holiday224
United StatesLindsey Horan224
United StatesEmily Menges134
United StatesAlex Morgan134
United StatesCarli Lloyd044
United StatesSam Coffey*303
United StatesAbby Dahlkemper303
United StatesTobin Heath303
AustraliaSam Kerr303
United StatesSophia Smith303
United StatesLauren Barnes213
BrazilDebinha213
United StatesNaomi Girma213
ScotlandKim Little213
United StatesAllie Long213
United StatesChristie Pearce213
United StatesTrinity Rodman213
CanadaKailen Sheridan213
United StatesLynn Williams213
New ZealandAbby Erceg123
United StatesRose Lavelle123
United StatesAlyssa Naeher123
United StatesEmily Sonnett*123
United StatesDanielle Colaprico033
AustraliaSteph Catley033
United StatesAlana Cook202
MalawiTemwa Chawinga*202
United StatesSarah Gorden202
United States Marta202
United StatesCarson Pickett202
United StatesMcCall Zerboni202
United StatesNicole Barnhart112
United StatesCroix Bethune*112
United StatesLeigh Ann Brown112
United StatesKendall Fletcher112
SpainEsther González*112
United StatesAshley Hatch112
BrazilKerolin112
United StatesKaleigh Kurtz112
United StatesSydney Leroux112
United StatesJessica McDonald112
United StatesTara McKeown*112
United StatesJenna Nighswonger112
United StatesMallory Swanson112
United StatesArin Wright112
United StatesBethany Balcer022
United StatesStephanie Cox022
EnglandRachel Daly022
United StatesVanessa DiBernardo022
United StatesEmily Fox022
United StatesMeghan Klingenberg022
United StatesHailie Mace*022
CanadaChristine Sinclair022

See also

References

  1. "NWSL Announces Winners of 2024 NWSL Best XI Awards, presented by Amazon Prime". November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  2. "National Women's Soccer League Announces 2014 Best XI – Chicago Red Stars". chicagoredstars.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2014.
  3. "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.
  4. "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.
  5. "2017 Best XI announced". NWSL. October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  6. "NWSL announces Second XI selections". NWSL. October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  7. "2018 NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced". September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  8. "2019 NWSL Best XI and Second XI announced". October 24, 2019. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  9. "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.
  10. "NWSL Announces the Winners of Mastercard Inaugural 2021 Best XI Awards". October 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  11. "NWSL Announces Winners of Mastercard Best XI Awards". October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  12. "NWSL Announces Winners of 2023 Mastercard Best XI Awards". November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  13. "Players step out and celebrate 2025 season at NWSL Awards presented by AT&T". NWSL.com. Retrieved November 20, 2025.