Four members of the North Carolina Courage and four members of the Washington Spirit lead the way on the April Team of the Month, announced on Thursday. They are joined by April Player of the Month Sofia Huerta of the Chicago Red Stars, as well as Utah Royals defender Becky Sauerbrunn and Portland Thorns FC […]

Four members of the North Carolina Courage and four members of the Washington Spirit lead the way on the April Team of the Month, announced on Thursday. They are joined by April Player of the Month Sofia Huerta of the Chicago Red Stars, as well as Utah Royals defender Becky Sauerbrunn and Portland Thorns FC defender Emily Sonnett.The April Team of the Month was selected by the NWSL Media Association. [Youtube oembed has failed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT_oMpO03yk]

GK: Aubrey Bledsoe, Washington Spirit

In April, Aubrey Bledsoe won back-to-back Save of the Week honors for her penalty kick stop in Portland and her diving save at home vs. the Red Stars. In three games, she made 15 saves, helping the Spirit earn two draws to close out the month. * * *

D: Jaelene Hinkle, North Carolina Courage

The Courage earned two shutouts in April and allowed four goals in their four games. Jaelene Hinkle helped on the defensive side of the ball with 12 tackles won and six interceptions. She also contributed on offense with nine chances created. * * *

D: Estelle Johnson, Washington Spirit

Estelle Johnson made 22 clearances in April and added eight interceptions, three tackles won and four blocks. She made a pair of stellar slides to win the ball in a 1-1 draw vs. Portland. * * *

D: Becky Sauerbrunn, Utah Royals FC

Becky Sauerbrunn held down the defense for Utah Royals FC in April with six interceptions, six clearances, one block and three tackles won in three games. * * *

D: Emily Sonnett, Portland Thorns FC

Emily Sonnett recorded 12 clearances, three tackles won, one block and two interceptions as the Thorns went 1-0-2 in April. * * *

M: Sofia Huerta, Chicago Red Stars

Sofia Huerta was named April Player of the Month after scoring two goals as the Red Stars went 2-0-2. She added six shots on goal, five tackles won and nine chances created. She also won the Week 4 Player of the Week. * * *

M: Crystal Dunn, North Carolina Courage

Crystal Dunn tallied three goals and an assist as North Carolina stayed unbeaten with a 3-0-1 record in April. She also contributed 10 chances created. * * *

M: McCall Zerboni, North Carolina Courage

McCall Zerboni won Player of the Week twice in April — in Week 3 after scoring two goals vs. the Spirit and again in Week 5 for her midfield dominance in the Courage’s 2-0 win over the Dash. Defensively, in four April games, she recorded 18 interceptions and 14 tackles won. * * *

F: Francisca Ordega, Washington Spirit

Francisca Ordega is riding a three-game scoring streak into May, having earned a goal in each of Washington’s three April games. She also contributed on the defensive side of the ball with 11 tackles won. * * *

F: Jessica McDonald, North Carolina Courage

Jessica McDonald helped the first-place Courage in April with a goal and two assists, as well as eight chances created. * * *

F: Mallory Pugh, Washington Spirit

Mallory Pugh earned a goal and an assist in April, adding three chances created and a 76.8% passing accuracy.