CHICAGO – Thorns FC players Tobin Heath, Meghan Klingenberg and Christine Sinclair lead the way on April’s Team of the Month, presented by Cutter® Insect Repellent, voted by the NWSL Media Association for the month of April of the 2019 NWSL season.
Heath and Sinclair had also earned Players of the Week honors in April.
NWSL Team of the Month – April
GK – Kailen Sheriden, Sky Blue FC: The Canadian made 16 saves and seven clearances in three appearances to help Sky Blue earn a draw during the month. Sky Blue FC registered a 0-2-1 record and a76.2% success rate for saves.
D – Meghan Klingenberg, Portland Thorns FC: In three appearances during the month of April, Klingenberg was a key contributor playing 247 minutes and registering four tackles won, six clearances, six interceptions and 106 successful passes.
D – Abby Erceg, North Carolina Courage: Erceg enjoyed a strong overall performance in April as she helped the Courage achieve a 2-0-1 record and claim their spot at the top of the standings. She registered 17 clearances and 6 interceptions, while starting all three games and registering 270 minutes played.
D – Becky Sauerbrunn, Utah Royals FC: Sauerbrunn was a key figure for Utah as the club surged to a 2-0-0 record in April with shut-outs over the Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride. She also had 12 clearances, two interceptions and earned two blocks, while maintaining a 100% success rate for tackles.
D – Casey Short, Chicago Red Stars: Short scored one goal in two appearances for the Red Stars in April. She also had one block and three interceptions for the month to go along with one tackle won and three clearances.
M – Crystal Dunn, North Carolina Courage: The Player of the Month scored four goals in the first three matches to lead the North Carolina Courage to a league-best 2-0-1 record. The attacker took nine shots, had eight shots on target, had a conversion rate of 44% and a duel success rate of 59%.
M – Yuki Nagasato, Chicago Red Stars: Week Three’s Player of the Week tallied three goals in as many games with a conversion rate of 75% and a pass success rate of 77%. She also won four out of six tackles and 16 out of 32 duels.
M – Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns FC: Week Two’s Player of the Week registered three goals and one assist in April and made contributions beyond the scoreboard as she notched two interceptions, two clearances and a 75% tackle success rate and 48% duel success rate.
F – Tobin Heath, Portland Thorns FC: Week One’s Player of the Week turned in a steadfast performance in April with 71 successful passes, three interceptions, 24 duels won (out of 44) and two goals in three starts.
F – Sam Kerr, Chicago Red Stars: The Australian international had two goals in three appearances for the Red Stars in April. She took ten shots to go along with three tackles won, 18 duels won and 66 successful passes.
F – Christen Press, Utah Royals FC: Press tallied one goal and one assist in two games, in addition to one interception and a 77.4% pass success rate.
