PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos and midfielder Allie Long both earned National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Best XI honors for the 2015 season, it was announced today.
The 2015 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, Betos started 14 matches in her second season with Thorns FC, logging the third-most minutes of any goalkeeper in the league (1,260), while registering a career-best 45 saves. Betos was named the 2015 Thorns FC Supporters’ Player of the Year and was selected as the NWSL Player of the Week for Week 10 after becoming the first goalkeeper in league history to score a goal, registering a last-gasp equalizer with a diving header in a 1-1 draw against FC Kansas City on June 19.
Long finished the 2015 regular season ranked tied for second in the NWSL in goals (10) and tied for third in assists (4). Additionally, Long was one of three players to rank among the league leaders in both goals and assists. An NWSL Second XI selection last season, Long was one of two Thorns FC players to start and play in all 20 matches in 2015, logging 1,793 minutes. Long became the second player in Thorns FC history to register double-digit goals in a season and also tallied braces against the Boston Breakers on April 11 and the Chicago Red Stars on Aug. 9.
The NWSL Best XI team (listed at position, alphabetically by last name):
<u><strong>Position</strong></u> |
<strong><u>Player</u></strong> |
<strong><u>Club</u></strong> |
<strong><u>Country</u></strong> |
<strong><u>Note</u></strong> |
<strong>Goalkeeper</strong> |
<strong>Michelle Betos</strong> |
<strong>Portland Thorns FC</strong> |
<strong>USA</strong> |
<strong> 45 saves</strong> |
<p>Defender</p> |
<p>Lauren Barnes</p> |
<p>Seattle Reign FC</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>1,800 minutes</p> |
<p>Defender</p> |
<p>Julie Johnston</p> |
<p>Chicago Red Stars</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>1.10 team GAA</p> |
<p>Defender</p> |
<p>Amy LePeilbet</p> |
<p>FC Kansas City</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>1,800 minutes</p> |
<p>Defender</p> |
<p>Becky Sauerbrunn</p> |
<p>FC Kansas City</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>1.00 team GAA</p> |
<p>Midfielder</p> |
<p>Jess Fishlock</p> |
<p>Seattle Reign FC</p> |
<p>Wales</p> |
<p>8 goals, 2 assists</p> |
<p>Midfielder</p> |
<p>Kim Little</p> |
<p>Seattle Reign FC</p> |
<p>Scotland</p> |
<p>10 goals, 7 assists</p> |
<strong>Midfielder</strong> |
<strong>Allie Long</strong> |
<strong>Portland Thorns FC</strong> |
<strong>USA</strong> |
<strong>10 goals, 4 assists</strong> |
<p>Forward</p> |
<p>Crystal Dunn</p> |
<p>Washington Spirit</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>15 goals, 3 assists</p> |
<p>Forward</p> |
<p>Christen Press</p> |
<p>Chicago Red Stars</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>10 goals, 2 assists</p> |
<p>Forward</p> |
<p>Beverly Yanez</p> |
<p>Seattle Reign FC</p> |
<p> USA</p> |
<p>9 goals</p> |
NWSL Second XI – Goalkeeper: Nicole Barnhart, FC Kansas City – Defenders: Stephanie Cox, Seattle Reign FC; Kendall Fletcher, Seattle Reign FC; Arin Gilliland, Chicago Red Stars; Leigh Ann Robinson, FC Kansas City – Midfielders: Danielle Colaprico, Chicago Red Stars; Lauren Holiday, FC Kansas City; Carli Lloyd, Houston Dash; Keelin Winters, Seattle Reign FC – Forwards: Sofia Huerta, Chicago Red Stars, Megan Rapinoe; Seattle Reign FC
The NWSL awards are voted on by media that cover the league on a consistent basis, club officials, players and fans.
