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).
the teams of the season awards are voted on by players (40%), owners/general managers/coaches (25%), media (25%), and fans (10%). 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 Goalkeeper Nicole BarnhartFC Kansas City10 shutouts Defender Christie RamponeSky Blue FC1.20 GAA Defender Leigh Ann RobinsonFC Kansas City5 assists Defender Becky SauerbrunnFC Kansas City1.00 GAA Defender Brittany TaylorWestern New York Flash3 goals, 4 assists Midfielder Lori ChalupnyChicago Red Stars5 goals, 4 assists Midfielder Jess FishlockSeattle Reign FC4 goals Midfielder Lauren HolidayFC Kansas City12 goals, 9 assists Midfielder Diana MathesonWashington Spirit8 goals, 3 assists Forward Sydney LerouxBoston Breakers11 goals, 2 assists Forward Abby WambachWestern New York Flash11 goals, 8 assists
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Adrianna FranchWestern New York Flash Defender Rachel BuehlerPortland Thorns Defender Caitlin FoordSky Blue FC Defender Ali KriegerWashington Spirit Defender Lauren SesselmannFC Kansas City Midfielder Megan RapinoeSeattle Reign FC Midfielder Desiree ScottFC Kansas City Midfielder Erika TymrakFC Kansas City Forward Alex MorganPortland Thorns Forward Lianne SandersonBoston Breakers Forward Christine SinclairPortland Thorns
2014 Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE Goalkeeper Boston Breakers 106 saves Defender Seattle Reign FC.83 team GAA Defender Washington Spirit 1 goal Defender Sky Blue FC1 goal, 2 assists Defender FC Kansas City8 shutouts Midfielder Portland Thorns FC4 goals, 6 assists Midfielder Seattle Reign FC4 goals, 8 assists Midfielder Seattle Reign FC16 goals, 7 assists Forward FC Kansas City8 goals, 7 assists Forward Seattle Reign FC9 goals, 5 assists Forward FC Kansas City13 goals, 3 assists
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE Goalkeeper Seattle Reign FC5 shutouts Defender Seattle Reign FC.83 team GAA Defender Portland Thorns FC5 assists Defender Seattle Reign FC.83 team GAA Defender Chicago Red StarsRookie of the Year Midfielder Western New York Flash8 goals, 5 assists Midfielder Portland Thorns FC9 goals, 3 assists Midfielder Boston Breakers9 goals, 5 assists Forward Chicago Red Stars6 goals Forward Portland Thorns FC11 goals, 1 assist Forward Washington Spirit11 goals, 2 assists
2015 Announced September 24, 2015
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE Goalkeeper Michelle BetosPortland Thorns FC 45 saves Defender Lauren BarnesSeattle Reign FC1,800 minutes Defender Julie JohnstonChicago Red Stars1.10 team GAA Defender Amy LePeilbetFC Kansas City1,800 minutes Defender Becky SauerbrunnFC Kansas City1.00 GAA Midfielder Jess FishlockSeattle Reign FC8 goals, 2 assists Midfielder Kim LittleSeattle Reign FC10 goals, 7 assists Midfielder Allie LongPortland Thorns FC10 goals, 4 assists Forward Crystal DunnWashington Spirit15 goals, 3 assists Forward Christen PressChicago Red Stars10 goals, 2 assists Forward Beverly YanezSeattle Reign FC9 goals
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE Goalkeeper Nicole BarnhartFC Kansas City8 shutouts Defender Stephanie CoxSeattle Reign FC1,800 minutes Defender Kendall FletcherSeattle Reign FC2 goals, 2 assists Defender Arin GillilandChicago Red Stars1.10 team GAA Defender Leigh Ann RobinsonFC Kansas City1,800 minutes Midfielder Danielle ColapricoChicago Red Stars1,776 minutes Midfielder Lauren HolidayFC Kansas City2 goals, 2 assists Midfielder Carli LloydHouston Dash4 goals Midfielder Keelin WintersSeattle Reign FC1,654 minutes Forward Sofia HuertaChicago Red Stars6 goals, 3 assists Forward Megan RapinoeSeattle Reign FC5 goals, 5 assists
2016 Announced October 7, 2016
Best XI
POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE Goalkeeper Orlando Pride 62 saves Defender Seattle Reign FC1,775 minutes Defender Chicago Red Stars1.00 team GAA Defender Portland Thorns FC0.95 team GAA Defender FC Kansas City1.00 team GAA Midfielder Portland Thorns FCGoal, 10 assists Midfielder Portland Thorns FC6 goals, 2 assists Forward Western New York Flash10 goals, 7 assists Forward Houston Dash11 goals, 4 assists Forward Chicago Red Stars8 goals Forward Western New York Flash11 goals, 5 assists
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE Goalkeeper Chicago Red Stars1.00 GAA Defender Chicago Red Stars1.00 team GAA Defender Washington Spirit1.05 team GAA Defender Sky Blue FC1,800 minutes Defender Chicago Red Stars1,781 minutes Midfielder Chicago Red StarsGoal, 2 assists Midfielder Chicago Red Stars7 assists Midfielder Seattle Reign FCGoals, 4 assists Midfielder Seattle Reign FC6 goals, 2 assists Forward Washington Spirit2 goals, 5 assists Forward FC Kansas City8 goals
2017 Announced October 12, 2017
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE Goalkeeper Portland Thorns FC11 shutouts, 80 saves, .83 GAA Defender Chicago Red Stars1 goal, 3rd-best defense in NWSL Defender North Carolina Courage121 corner kicks taken, 2 assists Defender FC Kansas City157 clearances, 24 blocks, 1 goal, 2 assists Defender Orlando Pride99 clearances, 49 interceptions, 2 assists Midfielder Seattle Reign FC7 goals, 2 assists Midfielder North Carolina Courage6 goals, 3 assists Midfielder North Carolina Courage3 goals, 1 assist Forward Orlando Pride13 goals, 6 assists, 64 chances created Forward Sky Blue FC17 goals, 4 assists, 2 hattricks, 1 4-goal game Forward Chicago Red Stars11 goals, 4 assists
Second XI
Announced October 10, 2017
POSITION PLAYER CLUB NOTE Goalkeeper North Carolina Courage39 saves, 8 shutouts Defender Orlando Pride2,032 minutes played Defender North Carolina Courage1 goal, 2 assists Defender Portland Thorns FC6 assists Defender Portland Thorns FC2,063 minutes played Midfielder Chicago Red Stars1,903 minutes played Midfielder Chicago Red Stars4 goals, 3 assists Midfielder Portland Thorns FC4 goals, 2 assists Midfielder Chicago Red Stars6 goals, 4 assists Forward Orlando Pride9 goals, 4 assists Forward Seattle Reign FC12 goals, 1 assist
2018 Announced September 20, 2018
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Portland Thorns FC Defender Portland Thorns FC Defender North Carolina Courage Defender Utah Royals FC Defender North Carolina Courage Midfielder Portland Thorns FC Midfielder Portland Thorns FC Midfielder North Carolina Courage Forward North Carolina Courage Forward Chicago Red Stars Forward Seattle Reign
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Seattle Reign Defender Portland Thorns FC Defender North Carolina Courage Defender Seattle Reign Defender Chicago Red Stars Midfielder Sky Blue FC Midfielder Portland Thorns FC Midfielder North Carolina Courage Forward North Carolina Courage Forward Houston Dash Forward Houston Dash
2019 Announced October 24, 2019
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Washington Spirit Defender North Carolina Courage Defender Orlando Pride Defender Utah Royals FC Defender Chicago Red Stars Midfielder Chicago Red Stars Midfielder Portland Thorns FC Midfielder Washington Spirit Forward Portland Thorns FC Forward Chicago Red Stars Forward Utah Royals FC
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Chicago Red Stars Defender Reign FC Defender North Carolina Courage Defender Utah Royals FC Defender Portland Thorns FC Midfielder Reign FC Midfielder North Carolina Courage Midfielder Chicago Red Stars Forward North Carolina Courage Forward Sky Blue FC Forward Reign FC
2020 The 2020 NWSL regular season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 Announced November 17, 2021
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper NJ/NY Gotham FC Defender NJ/NY Gotham FC OL Reign Chicago Red Stars North Carolina Courage Midfielder/Forward Washington Spirit OL Reign OL Reign NJ/NY Gotham FC Washington Spirit Portland Thorns FC
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Portland Thorns FC Defender OL Reign Portland Thorns FC Racing Louisville FC Portland Thorns FC Midfielder/Forward OL Reign Portland Thorns FC Chicago Red Stars Houston Dash Orlando Pride NJ/NY Gotham FC
2022 Announced October 25, 2022
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper San Diego Wave FC Defender OL Reign San Diego Wave FC OL Reign North Carolina Courage Midfielder/Forward Portland Thorns FC Kansas City Current San Diego Wave FC North Carolina Courage Chicago Red Stars Portland Thorns FC
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Kansas City Current Defender Portland Thorns FC Kansas City Current Chicago Red Stars Portland Thorns FC Midfielder/Forward North Carolina Courage OL Reign OL Reign North Carolina Courage OL Reign Houston Dash
2023 Announced November 6, 2023
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Houston Dash Defender San Diego Wave FC NJ/NY Gotham FC Angel City FC Washington Spirit Midfielder/Forward Portland Thorns FC Kansas City Current San Diego Wave FC North Carolina Courage Portland Thorns FC NJ/NY Gotham FC
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper San Diego Wave FC Defender North Carolina Courage North Carolina Courage NJ/NY Gotham FC Angel City FC Midfielder/Forward Racing Louisville FC Angel City FC North Carolina Courage Washington Spirit San Diego Wave FC Washington Spirit
2024 Announced November 18, 2024
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper NJ/NY Gotham FC Defender Orlando Pride Washington Spirit North Carolina Courage NJ/NY Gotham FC Midfielder/Forward Kansas City Current Orlando Pride Orlando Pride Washington Spirit Washington Spirit Portland Thorns FC
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Orlando Pride Defender San Diego Wave FC Washington Spirit Orlando Pride North Carolina Courage Midfielder/Forward Kansas City Current Kansas City Current Washington Spirit NJ/NY Gotham FC NJ/NY Gotham FC NJ/NY Gotham FC
2025 Announced November 19, 2025
Best XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper LorenaKansas City Current Defender Washington Spirit Houston Dash Kansas City Current Kansas City Current Midfielder/Forward Kansas City Current Portland Thorns Gotham FC Kansas City Current North Carolina Courage Portland Thorns FC
Second XI POSITION PLAYER CLUB Goalkeeper Seattle Reign Defender Seattle Reign Kansas City Current Gotham FC Gotham FC Midfielder/Forward Washington Spirit San Diego Wave San Diego Wave Racing Louisville FC Racing Louisville FC Kansas City Current
Most selections 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 Total7 1 85 2 74 2 62 4 61 5 64 1 51 4 53 1 42 2 42 2 42 2 42 2 41 3 41 3 40 4 4*3 0 33 0 33 0 33 0 33 0 32 1 3Debinha2 1 32 1 32 1 32 1 32 1 32 1 3 2 1 32 1 31 2 31 2 31 2 3*1 2 30 3 30 3 32 0 2*2 0 22 0 22 0 22 0 22 0 21 1 2*1 1 21 1 21 1 2*1 1 21 1 2Kerolin1 1 21 1 21 1 21 1 2*1 1 21 1 21 1 21 1 20 2 20 2 20 2 20 2 20 2 20 2 2*0 2 20 2 2
See also
List of sports awards honoring women NWSL Players' Awards NWSL awards NWSL records and statistics Women's soccer in the United States
References