Six teams represented in top 11 of exciting month of play
CHICAGO (August 6, 2021) - The National Women’s Soccer League announced today the eleven players named to the Team of the Month for the month of July by the NWSL Media Association. Headlined by July Player of the Month Ashley Hatch, six of the league’s 10 clubs are represented, including three players from Portland Thorns FC, two from the Chicago Red Stars, NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit, and one each from the Houston Dash and Orlando Pride.
GK – Bella Bixby (POR): Jumping into the starting role for the Thorns, Bixby did not disappoint, helping the team to an unbeaten record in July and stopping seven shots on goal. Thanks to her stellar play in July, Bixby enters the month with a 92 percent save percentage.
D – Caprice Dydasco (NJNY): A mainstay on the Gotham back line, Dydasco once again showed her ability to jump into the attack. The defender dished out two assists during the month, one in a 3-2 win over the Washington Spirit, and another in Gotham’s 2-1 win over Chicago.
D – Meghan Klingenburg (POR): Klingenburg tallied the game-winning assist in a crucial 2-1 victory over the Orlando Pride July 18, good for her second assist of the 2021 season.
D – Emily Menges (POR): Menges was solid in Portland’s defensive half this month, completing 86 percent of passes in the back to create offensive chances and help the Thorns to an undefeated 3-0-1 ledger in July.
D – Katie Naughton (HOU): Defender Katie Naughton has been stellar on the Houston backline this season, successfully completing over 88 percent of tackles and 87 percent of passes.
M – Morgan Gautrat (CHI): Gautrat was a constant presence for her side, playing in every one of Chicago’s four games in July and helping the Red Stars to a 3-1-0 record.
M – Allie Long (NJNY): Settling in nicely with her new club, Long scored the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars on July 25. Gotham has not lost a match this season when scoring first, garnering a 4-0-2 record.
M – Andi Sullivan (WAS): Playing every minute of her team’s matches during July, Sullivan contributed to the scoresheet twice, assisting on a pair of goals in a 2-0 win over North Carolina and a 3-2 setback against Gotham FC.
F – Ashley Hatch (WAS): This month’s top player, Hatch provided goals in two wins for the Spirit while earning herself a share of the league lead in scoring. The forward also registered 10 shots across the month.
F – Sydney Leroux (ORL): Leading the league in shots throughout the month of July with 17, Leroux scored two goals in five appearances for the Pride, including tallies in a pair of 1-1 draws against North Carolina and Louisville.
F – Mallory Pugh (CHI): An offensive sparkplug for the Red Stars, Pugh’s offensive prowess didn’t disappoint in Chicago’s 3-1 win over OL Reign on July 18, where the forward scored a goal of her own while forcing two own goals to secure the victory.
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.
Comments