FC Kansas City Honored With Two Players on September Team of the Month
KANSAS CITY (October 5, 2024) – FC Kansas City captain Becky Sauerbrunn earns her third selection to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Team of the Month, while forward Shea Groom earns her first selection, as announced by the NWSL this afternoon.
Sauerbrunn anchored a backline that saw her team go undefeated in the month, while only giving up one goal under her watch. Groom led the Blues attack that scored more goals in September than they had in any previous month of the season.
Marta, the Brazil international, was voted to the NWSL Team of the Month for the fourth consecutive month. Meanwhile, North Carolina Courage midfielder Samantha Mewis and Chicago Red Stars defender Casey Short were also named to the squad for the fourth time this season. In addition to Sauerbrunn making her third selection to the team of the month, North Carolina forward Lynn Williams made her second appearance in the elite XI.
Six players were honored for the first time as members NWSL Team of the Month – with Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, Thorns defender Emily Menges, Sky Blue FC defender Kelley O’Hara, Orlando Pride midfielder Alanna Kennedy, Portland forward Christine Sinclair joining Kansas City's Groom and being voted to the side in the final opportunity this season.
The Thorns led the way with three players voted to the Team of the Month, followed by FC Kansas City, the Pride and Courage with two each.
NWSL Team of the Month - September
GK – Adrianna Franch, Portland Thorns FC: Franch made 12 saves and earned three shutouts in September as she helped the Thorns to a 3-0-1 record during the month.
D – Emily Menges, Portland Thorns FC: Menges made 13 clearances, nine tackles, seven interceptions, three blocks and gained possession 25 times in three appearances for Portland during the month.
D – Kelley O’Hara, Sky Blue FC: O’Hara had a goal and an assist in four appearances in September. She also created five scoring chances for her teammates.
D – Becky Sauerbrunn, FC Kansas City: Sauerbrunn reached double digits for clearances in all three of her appearances in September. She finished the month with 36 clearances to go with seven tackles, 14 interceptions and gained possession 23 times.
D – Casey Short, Chicago Red Stars: Short scored a goal in addition to her defensive contribution of seven clearances, four tackles, two interceptions in three appearances. She also gained possession 21 times during the month.
M – Alanna Kennedy, Orlando Pride: Kennedy scored her fourth goal of the season direct from a free kick Sept. 30 in the 91st minute to give the Pride a 3-2 victory over North Carolina and propelled Orlando to the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
M – Marta, Orlando Pride: Marta scored two goals in the month to help the Pride close out the regular season on a nine-game unbeaten run. The Brazil international finished the year with 13 goals and six assists.
M – Samantha Mewis, North Carolina Courage: Mewis was at her all-around best in September as she had a goal, created six scoring chances for her teammates in addition to gaining possession 34 times and recording 13 interceptions in five appearances.
F – Shea Groom, FC Kansas City: Groom had three goals and an assist during the month as she pushed her season totals to five goals and six assists.
F – Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns FC: Sinclair scored three goals and created three scoring chances for her teammates in three appearances during September to help the Thorns closeout the season on a six-game unbeaten run.
F – Lynn Williams, North Carolina Courage: Williams had four goals and an assist in five appearances for the Courage during September. She finished the season with nine goals and five assists.
The NWSL will return to action this weekend with the 2024 NWSL Playoffs. Portland Thorns FC will host the Orlando Pride in a semifinal Saturday, Oct. 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The next day, the North Carolina Courage will face off against the visiting Chicago Red Stars in the other semifinal Oct. 8 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Both matches will be broadcast live on Lifetime.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 NWSL Championship, starting as low as $20, on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. 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.
The NWSL Team of the Month is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis. For more information on the NWSL Media Association, follow them on Twitter.