Five teams represented in top 11 as playoff push heats up
CHICAGO (October 8, 2021) -
The National Women’s Soccer League announced today the eleven players named to the Team of the Month for the month of September by the NWSL Media Association. Headlined by September Player of the Month Bethany Balcer, five of the league’s 10 clubs are represented, including four players from OL Reign, three players from the Chicago Red Stars, two players from NJ/NY Gotham FC and one player from Portland Thorns FC and the Houston Dash.
CHICAGO (October 8, 2021) -
The National Women’s Soccer League announced today the eleven players named to the Team of the Month for the month of September by the NWSL Media Association. Headlined by September Player of the Month Bethany Balcer, five of the league’s 10 clubs are represented, including four players from OL Reign, three players from the Chicago Red Stars, two players from NJ/NY Gotham FC and one player from Portland Thorns FC and the Houston Dash. GK – Kailen Sheridan (NJNY): Despite just a two-match slate for Gotham FC in September, the team’s starting goalkeeper was stellar in the net, making a combined nine saves en route to a win and draw for the club. The newly minted Olympic gold medalist boasts an 86 percent save clip and five clean sheets so far this season. D – Tierna Davidson (CHI): A stalwart on the Chicago back line, Davidson appeared in every minute of play and was an effective component of set pieces for the Red Stars in September, helping the team to a 1-0-2 record in an unbeaten month of play. D – Sofia Huerta (RGN): A reliable offensive weapon for OL Reign, the defender notched a pair of game-winning assists in September, helping her club to an impressive 3-0-1 record during the month. D – Estelle Johnson (NJNY): Appearing in nearly every minute of Gotham FC’s matches in September, Johnson’s reliable presence on the backline helped her team to an unbeaten month of play. D – Casey Krueger (CHI): Another mainstay on the Red Stars defense, Krueger scored the equalizer in the 77th minute of an eventual 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash, her first goal of the 2021 campaign. M – Morgan Gautrat (CHI): Appearing in every minute of play throughout September, Gautrat recorded six shots throughout the month, including a pair of chances in the Red Stars’ 2-1 win over Portland Thorns FC. M – Dzsenifer Marozsán (RGN): Highly productive in the midfield this month, Marozsán contributed to the offensive build up in the Reign’s 3-0 victory against Orlando, notching a pair of assists. M – Angela Salem (POR): Salem’s effort in the midfield was a welcome one for the Portland Thorns, as the midfielder helped the team to a gritty 1-0 win over rival North Carolina. F – Bethany Balcer (RGN): The Player of the Month in September, the league-leading goal scorer was outstanding in the final third, scoring a goal in each of the team’s three appearances throughout the month. F – Rachel Daly (HOU): The Houston Dash captain did not disappoint in the month of September, scoring two goals, including her record-breaking 29th regular-season goal as a member of the Dash, the most of any player in club history. F – Eugénie Le Sommer (RGN): Another forward in contention for the league’s Golden Boot award, Le Sommer kept her stellar offensive performances rolling in September, recording her second brace of the season in OL Reign’s 3-0 rout of the Pride. 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.