PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC midfielder Vero Boquete was named to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Best XI, while defender Steph Catley, midfielder Allie Long and forward Jessica McDonald earned NWSL Second XI recognition, it was announced today.
Boquete, 27, who finished second in the NWSL Most Valuable Player award voting, appeared in 15 matches (all starts) during the regular season for Thorns FC. A three-time NWSL Player of the Week selection during the regular season, Boquete ranked tied for fourth in the NWSL in assists (6) and tallied four goals. Her six assists set a Thorns FC single-season club record. The Spain Women’s National Team captain arrived in Portland midseason, making her debut for the club on June 7 against the Western New York Flash.
Catley, 20, registered five assists for Thorns FC, appearing in 14 matches (13 starts) during the 2014 regular season. The Australian international made her debut for Portland on June 7 and recorded a stretch of four consecutive matches with an assist, setting a club record for assists in consecutive matches from July 13-23.
Long, 27, finished the 2014 regular season ranked tied for fifth in the league with nine goals. In 22 appearances (20 starts), Long registered three assists and tallied her first career brace for Thorns FC with two goals against FC Kansas City on July 13 at Providence Park. Long also was perfect from the penalty spot, converting all four attempts this season.
McDonald, 26, finished the season as Portland’s leading scorer (11 goals), which ranked tied for third in the league. One of two Thorns FC players to appear in all 24 regular-season matches (13 starts), McDonald set a club single-season record for goals, while tallying two braces (April 26 and June 21) and scoring the fastest goal in NWSL history (33 seconds) against the Chicago Red Stars on July 17.
The NWSL Best XI team (listed at position, alphabetically by last name):
<strong><u>Position</u></strong> |
<strong><u>Player</u></strong> |
<strong><u>Club</u></strong> |
<strong><u>Country</u></strong> |
<strong><u>Note</u></strong> |
<p>Goalkeeper</p> |
<p>Alyssa Naeher</p> |
<p>Boston Breakers</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>106 saves</p> |
<p>Defender</p> |
<p>Kendall Fletcher</p> |
<p>Seattle Reign FC</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>.83 team GAA</p> |
<p>Defender</p> |
<p>Ali Krieger</p> |
<p>Washington Spirit</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>1 goal</p> |
<p>Defender</p> |
<p>Christie Rampone</p> |
<p>Sky Blue FC</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>1 goal, 2 assists</p> |
<p>Defender</p> |
<p>Becky Sauerbrunn</p> |
<p>FC Kansas City</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>8 shutouts</p> |
<strong>Midfielder</strong> |
<strong>Vero Boquete</strong> |
<strong>Portland Thorns FC</strong> |
<strong>Spain</strong> |
<strong>4 goals, 6 assists</strong> |
<p>Midfielder</p> |
<p>Jess Fishlock</p> |
<p>Seattle Reign FC</p> |
<p>Wales</p> |
<p>4 goals, 8 assists</p> |
<p>Midfielder</p> |
<p>Kim Little</p> |
<p>Seattle Reign FC</p> |
<p>Scotland</p> |
<p>16 goals, 7 assists</p> |
<p>Forward</p> |
<p>Lauren Holiday</p> |
<p>FC Kansas City</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>8 goals, 7 assists</p> |
<p>Forward</p> |
<p>Nahomi Kawasumi</p> |
<p>Seattle Reign FC</p> |
<p>Japan</p> |
<p>9 goals, 5 assists</p> |
<p>Forward</p> |
<p>Amy Rodriguez</p> |
<p>FC Kansas City</p> |
<p>USA</p> |
<p>13 goals, 3 assists</p> |
NWSL Second XI – Goalkeeper: Hope Solo, Seattle Reign FC – Defenders: Lauren Barnes, Seattle Reign FC; Steph Catley, Portland Thorns FC; Stephanie Cox, Seattle Reign – Midfielders: Carli Lloyd, Western New York Flash; Allie Long, Portland Thorns FC; Heather O’Reilly, Boston Breakers – Forwards:Jessica McDonald, Portland Thorns FC; Christen Press, Chicago Red Stars; Jodie Taylor, Washington Spirit
The NWSL awards are voted on by a selection of journalists that cover the league on a consistent basis, club officials and NWSL players.
Voters for the Best XI provided selections for four (4) defenders and a combination of six (6) midfielders or forwards; with the ability to select a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) forwards. The Goalkeeper of the Year was automatically named to the Best XI.
The Second XI is comprised of the next leading vote getters at each position that did not make the Best XI.
