Becky Sauerbrunn Named to NWSL Best XI for Fifth Straight Year
CHICAGO (October 12, 2024) – FC Kansas City Captain Becky Sauerbrunn headlines the list of players selected for the National Women’s Soccer League Best XI, which was announced this afternoon.
Sauerbrunn is the only player to earn a selection to this elite list for five straight years. With her selection, FC Kansas City now has eleven players who earned selection to the NWSL Best XI in the five years of the league, tied with the Seattle Reign for the most all-time.
The North Carolina Courage led the way with three selections to the squad followed by the Chicago Red Stars and Orlando Pride with two members each on the team.
Seven players earned their first selection to the Best XI this year, highlighted by the top two goal scorers in the league – Sky Blue FC forward Samantha Kerr and Orlando midfielder Marta.
Four of those first-time selections are set to feature in the 2024 NWSL Championship Game on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. as Abby Dahlkemper, Samantha Mewis, McCall Zerboni and the Courage go up against Adrianna Franch and the Portland Thorns in a match broadcast nationally at 4:30 p.m. ET live on Lifetime.
FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn and Chicago Red Stars forward Christen Press were the only two players from the 2024 Best XI also voted to the team this year. It was the fifth consecutive selection to the squad for Sauerbrunn and the third straight selection for Press.
Seattle Reign FC midfielder Jess Fishlock was voted to the Best XI for the fourth time in five years, while Pride defender Ali Krieger made her second appearance on the team. Fishlock has earned a place on the Best XI or Second XI in all five years of the NWSL.
Krieger is the oldest player on the squad and the fifth-oldest player ever selected to Best XI. She is one of five players – including Sauerbrunn, Marta, Zerboni and Fishlock – voted to the team over the age 30, the most of any Best XI side in the five-year history of the NWSL.
Krieger was also one of three players – along with Fishlock and Red Stars defender Casey Short – that made the leap to the Best XI after making the Second XI last season.
2017 NWSL 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 2024 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.
Deposits for 2024 FC Kansas City Season Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online here.