The National Women’s Soccer League announced Tuesday the Second XI selections for the 2017 NWSL season. The 2017 Best XI will be announced Thursday.
The four teams that reached the 2017 NWSL Playoffs made up 10 of the 11 spots on the Second XI – with Seattle Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe the only player on the side not involved in the postseason.
Portland Thorns FC and the Chicago Red Stars lead the way with three selections each, followed by the North Carolina Courage and Orlando Pride with two apiece.
Rapinoe was one of three players – along with Chicago Red Stars players Julie Ertz and Danielle Colaprico – voted to the Second XI for the third time in their careers. In all, six players made their return to the squad as Orlando Pride players Alex Morgan and Steph Catley, as well as Red Stars midfielder Sofia Huerta, were honored for the second time.
Ertz and Colaprico are the only players that made the 2016 Second XI to repeat the accomplishment this year. Colaprico has now been voted to the squad in each of the last three seasons.
All five first-time selections to the Second XI are set to feature in the 2017 NWSL Championship Game on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. as Katelyn Rowland, Abby Erceg and the Courage will face off against Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Lindsey Horan and the Thorns for the league title. The match will be broadcast nationally at 4:30 p.m. ET live on Lifetime.
Menges was previously voted to the 2016 NWSL Best XI, while Ertz was selected to the Best XI in 2015. Ertz has now been named to the NWSL Best XI or Second XI all four years of her career.
2017 NWSL Second XI
Goalkeeper | Katelyn Rowland | North Carolina Courage | USA | 39 saves | 8 shutouts
Defender | Steph Catley | Orlando Pride | Australia | 2,032 minutes
Defender | Abby Erceg | North Carolina Courage | New Zealand | Goal, 2 assists
Defender | Meghan Klingenberg | Portland Thorns FC | USA | 6 assists
Defender | Emily Menges | Portland Thorns FC | USA | 2,063 minutes
Midfielder | Danielle Colaprico | Chicago Red Stars | USA | 1,903 minutes
Midfielder | Julie Ertz | Chicago Red Stars | USA | 4 goals, 3 assists
Midfielder | Lindsey Horan | Portland Thorns FC | USA | 4 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder | Sofia Huerta | Chicago Red Stars | USA | 6 goals, 4 assists
Forward | Alex Morgan | Orlando Pride | USA | 9 goals, 4 assists
Forward | Megan Rapinoe | Seattle Reign FC | USA | 12 goals, assist
The NWSL Second XI is comprised of the next leading vote-getters at each position that did not make the Best XI. The NWSL awards are voted on by club officials, players, media that cover the league on a consistent basis and fans.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2017 NWSL Championship, starting as low as $20. 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.
