August 4, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO – The National Women’s Soccer League announced today the 11 players named to the Best XI of the Month, presented by Mastercard, for the month of July by the NWSL Media Association. Headlined by July Player of the Month Ebony Salmon, six teams are represented in the league’s top 11, including the Kansas City Current with four players, Portland Thorns FC with three selections, OL Reign with two and the Houston Dash and Racing Louisville FC each with one.
GK -Adrianna Franch (KC): Franch registered two clean sheets and 14 stops throughout the month of July. The veteran goalkeeper, who is approaching the 10,000 minute mark in regular season appearances, currently sits in fourth in save percentage and third in saves among goalkeepers who have played more than three games.
D -Kristen Edmonds (KC): Edmonds continued to successfully challenge more than half of all tackles, duels and aerial duels, helping her team to an undefeated month of play which saw the Current concede just three goals.
D -Kelli Hubly (POR): Appearing in every game for the Thorns this month, Hubly was a reliable presence on the Portland backline, completing more than 80 percent of total passes, and 90 percent of feeds out of the defensive half. Hubly is also one of 12ironwomen to play every minute of action this season.
D -Hailie Mace (KC): Mace provided heroics for the Current on two separate occasions throughout the month, tallying the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Houston on July 1and contributing a crucial assist in Kansas City’s 2-2 tie against Orlando at the end of the month.
D -Carson Pickett (NCC): Fresh off her first cap with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Pickett built off that momentum when she returned to the Courage, scoring her first goal of the regular season in a 2-2 tie against the Chicago Red Stars. The defender also continued her reliable distribution out of the defensive end with an 85 percent clip.
M -Jess Fishlock (RGN): The reigning league MVP made a splash this month, tallying a pair of goals and an assist to keep OL Reign in the top half of the table. The midfielder scored the game-winning goal in the Reign’s 2-0 win over North Carolina before kick-starting the team’s 3-2 comeback victory over Angel City FC with a goal in the 54thminute.
M -Lo’eau LaBonta (KC): A veteran midfielder, LaBonta shined for the Current throughout the month, scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over…