The last NWSL award was announced on Thursday and this time around it was the NWSL Best XI as well as the NWSL Second XI. Seattle Reign FC and FC Kansas City, the two teams playing in the NWSL Final next Thursday October 1st, both combined for six players named to the Best XI. Four came from Seattle while two are from Kansas City.
Crystal Dunn, the NWSL MVP, is the youngest player selected to the Best XI. She is 88 days younger than Chicago Red Stars defender Julie Johnston. Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn, NWSL Defender of the Year, and Seattle midfielder Jess Fishlock earned their third straight selection to the Best XI.
There was one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielder and three forwards named to the Best XI.
Here are the eleven players named to the 2015 NWSL Best XI:
| POSITION | NAME | TEAM | STATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Michelle Betos | Portland Thorns FC | 45 saves |
| Defender | Lauren Barnes | Seattle Reign FC | 1,800 minutes |
| Defender | Julie Johnston | Chicago Red Stars | 1.10 team GAA |
| Defender | Amy LePeilbet | FC Kansas City | 1,800 minutes |
| Defender | Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City | 1.00 team GAA |
| Midfielder | Jess Fishlock | Seattle Reign FC | 8 goals, 2 assists |
| Midfielder | Kim Little | Seattle Reign FC | 10 goals, 7 assists |
| Midfielder | Allie Long | Portland Thorns FC | 10 goals, 4 assists |
| Forward | Crystal Dunn | Washington Spirti | 15 goals, 4 assists |
| Forward | Christen Press | Chicago Red Stars | 10 goals, 2 assists |
| Forward | Beverly Yanez | Seattle Reign FC | 9 goals |
The NWSL Second Best is comprised of the players that got the next most votes. This time around one goalkeeper, four defenders and two forwards were named.
Here are is the Second XI that was named:
| POSITION | NAME | TEAM | STATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Nicole Barnhart | FC Kansas City | 8 shutouts |
| Defender | Stephanie Cox | Seattle Reign FC | 1,800 minutes |
| Defender | Kendal Fletcher | Seattle Reign FC | 2 goals, 2 assists |
| Defender | Arin Gilliland | Chicago Red Stars | 1.10 team GAA |
| Defender | Leigh Ann Robinson | FC Kansas City | 1,800 minutes |
| Midfielder | Daniell Colaprico | Chicago Red Stars | 1,776 minutes |
| Midfielder | Lauren Holiday | FC Kansas City | 2 goals, 2 assists |
| Midfielder | Carli Lloyd | Houston Dash | 4 goals |
| Midfielder | Keelin Winters | Seattle Reign FC | 1,654 minutes |
| Forward | Sofia Huerta | Chicago Red Stars | 6 goals, 3 assists |
| Forward | Megan Rapinoe | Seattle Reign FC | 5 goals, 5 assists |
As you can see, Seattle had four more players named to the list and Kansas City had three more named. Boston Breakers, Western New York Flash and Sky Blue FC had no players named to the list.
Kansas City and Seattle will battle for the NWSL Championship for the second straight season next Thursday, October 1st at Providence Park in Portland, OR. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30pm EST and can be seen on FOX Sports 1.