CHICAGO – Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, defender Emily Menges and forward Christine Sinclair lead the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Team of the Month voted by the NWSL Media Association for the month of September of the 2017 NWSL season.
NWSL Team of the Month - September
GK – Adrianna Franch, Portland Thorns FC: Franch made 12 saves and earned three shutouts in September as she helped the Thorns to a 3-0-1 record during the month.
D – Emily Menges, Portland Thorns FC: Menges made 13 clearances, nine tackles, seven interceptions, three blocks and gained possession 25 times in three appearances for Portland during the month.
D – Kelley O’Hara, Sky Blue FC: O’Hara had a goal and an assist in four appearances in September. She also created five scoring chances for her teammates.
D – Becky Sauerbrunn, FC Kansas City: Sauerbrunn reached double digits for clearances in all three of her appearances in September. She finished the month with 36 clearances to go with seven tackles, 14 interceptions and gained possession 23 times.
D – Casey Short, Chicago Red Stars: Short scored a goal in addition to her defensive contribution of seven clearances, four tackles, two interceptions in three appearances. She also gained possession 21 times during the month.
M – Alanna Kennedy, Orlando Pride: Kennedy scored her fourth goal of the season direct from a free kick Sept. 30 in the 91st minute to give the Pride a 3-2 victory over North Carolina and propelled Orlando to the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
M – Marta, Orlando Pride: Marta scored two goals in the month to help the Pride close out the regular season on a nine-game unbeaten run. The Brazil international finished the year with 13 goals and six assists.
M – Samantha Mewis, North Carolina Courage: Mewis was at her all-around best in September as she had a goal, created six scoring chances for her teammates in addition to gaining possession 34 times and recording 13 interceptions in five appearances.
F – Shea Groom, FC Kansas City: Groom had three goals and an assist during the month as she pushed her season totals to five goals and six assists.
F – Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns FC: Sinclair scored three goals and created three scoring chances for her teammates in three appearances during September to help the Thorns closeout the season on a six-game unbeaten run.
F – Lynn Williams, North Carolina Courage: Williams had four goals and an assist in five appearances for the Courage during September. She finished the season with nine goals and five assists.
The NWSL will return to action this weekend with the 2017 NWSL Playoffs. Portland Thorns FC will host the Orlando Pride in a semifinal Saturday, Oct. 7 at 12:30 p.m. PT. The next day, the North Carolina Courage will face off against the visiting Chicago Red Stars in the other semifinal Oct. 8 at 12:30 p.m. PT. Both matches will be broadcast live on Lifetime.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2017 NWSL Championship, starting as low as $20, on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase seats throughout the 25,500 capacity venue, including in the North end of Orlando City Stadium - North America's first safe-standing supporter's section. Tickets are available online at www.NWSLchampionship.com and by phone at 1-855-ORL-CITY.
The NWSL Team of the Month is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis. For more information on the NWSL Media Association, follow them on Twitter.
