FC Kansas City lead the NWSL Best XI

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced  the Best XI selections Wednesday for the 2013 NWSL season and it included four FC Kansas City players. The Blues were the only team to have multiple players on the list. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart made the list by being voted the goalkeeper of the year. Becky Sauerbrunn, Leigh Ann Robinson and Lauren Holiday all made the list.

The NWSL Best XI team (listed at position, alphabetically by last name):

Position                 Player                                     Club                                        Country                 Note .

Goalkeeper           Nicole Barnhart                    FC Kansas City                       USA                         10 shutouts

Defender               Christie Rampone                Sky Blue FC                            USA                         1.20 GAA

Defender               Leigh Ann Robinson            FC Kansas City                       USA                         5 assists

Defender               Becky Sauerbrunn               FC Kansas City                       USA                         1.0 GAA

Defender               Brittany Taylor                      Western New York Flash    USA                         3 goals, 4 assists

Midfielder             Lori Chalupny                       Chicago Red Stars                USA                         5 goals, 4 assists

Midfielder             Jess Fishlock                          Seattle Reign FC                   Wales                     4 goals

Midfielder             Lauren Holiday                     FC Kansas City                       USA                         12 goals, 9 assists

Midfielder             Diana Matheson                   Washington Spirit                Canada                   8 goals, 3 assists

Forward                 Sydney Leroux Boston Breakers                   USA                         11 goals, 2 assists

Forward                 Abby Wambach                    Western New York Flash    USA                         11 goals, 8 assists

FC Kansas City also had three players on the Second XI with Canadians Lauren Sesselmann and Desiree Scott making the list as well as the NWSL Rookie of the Year Erika Tymrak.

NWSL Second XI - Goalkeeper: Adrianna Franch, Western New York Flash - Defenders: Rachel Buehler, Portland Thorns FC; Caitlin Foord, Sky Blue FC; Ali Krieger, Washington Spirit; Lauren Sesselmann, FC Kansas City - Midfielders: Megan Rapinoe, Seattle Reign FC;Desiree Scott, FC Kansas City; Erika Tymrak, FC Kansas City - Forwards: Alex Morgan, Portland Thorns FC; Lianne Sanderson, Boston Breakers; Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns FC

The NWSL awards are voted on by a selection of journalists that cover the league on a consistent basis, club officials and NWSL players.

Voters for the Best XI provided selections for four (4) defenders and a combination of six (6) midfielders or forwards; with the ability to select a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) forwards. The Goalkeeper of the Year was automatically named to the Best XI.

The Second XI is comprised of the next leading vote getters at each position that did not make the Best XI.

How we voted

As mentioned before we voted for Nicole Barnhart for keeper of the year (in a very tight vote). Here are the Best XI votes:

Leigh Ann Robinson - Under rated defender that provided the Blues consistent play throughout the season

Becky Sauerbrunnn - Defender of the year

Christie Rampone - Quality and just keeps playing at the highest level

Lauren Sesselmann - steadily improved all year and consistently faced the best forwards in the world

Lauren Holiday - MVP (all that need to be said)

Lori Chalupney - Great leader and clutch player

Jess Fishlock - Only bright spot on Seattle team for half a season, never gave up

Desiree Scott - The Canadian Destroyer made it painful to cross the midfield

Sydney Leroux - Always dangerous, great young striker

Abby Wambach - Runner up MVP and so difficult to defend