On July 14, the WNBA held an All-Star game with an interesting format. Instead of a fantasy draft, like their male counterparts, or East versus West, they pit the USA Women’s National Team against a group of fan and media-voted WNBA players. Team WNBA won 93-85, capped off by strong performances by All-Star MVP Arike Ogunbowale and fellow backcourt player Courtney Williams. The NWSL doesn’t have an All-Star game to speak of, but what if they did the same format? Who’d make an All-Star team of NWSL players if you didn’t include anyone from the US national soccer team? Here are some selections.
Before jumping right into a starting XI, there are some things to clear up. First, it can be anyone who isn’t on the US Women’s National Soccer Team. They can play for another country’s national team. Second, anyone that wasn’t in Vlatko Andonovski’s 22-player roster is open for selection. Lastly, a fan vote would likely look different than who’s the best for each position. An NWSL All-Star fan vote selection will be added to each position.
Goalkeeper – Michelle Betos (LOU)
Picking someone to play in net is a tough decision. Looking at the NWSL statistics in 2021, Racing Louisville’s Michelle Betos sticks out. Betos has 49 saves; 13 more than second-place keeper in North Carolina’s Casey Murphy.
An argument against Betos is that she has had to make so many saves because of the young defense in front of her. There’s merit in the argument, but she also has the most clean sheets in the league, a stat made even more impressive with the team playing its first year of competition.
Fan Vote – Ashlyn Harris (ORL)
There’s no doubt that Ashlyn Harris, of the Orlando Pride, would win a fan vote. After all, she has four save of the week wins this season so far, a fan-voted award. Harris is a maestro on defending penalty kicks, but with 21 fewer saves than Betos, it’s hard to put her ahead of the Louisville captain.
Center Backs – Estelle Johnson (NJ/NY) & Katie Naughton (HOU)
The two starting center backs come from the current third and fourth-place teams in the league. Estelle Johnson’s Gotham FC have the least amount of goals allowed in 2021, so far. While having goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan is a big plus, Sheridan and company haven’t had to make as many stops as other sides because of a great defensive backline. Johnson is a huge part of that.
Katie Naughton is a non-USWNT all-star in her own right. The Houston Dash defender covers a lot of ground on defense but can also get forward. Naughton has scored two goals this season from the center back position and dangerous on-set pieces.
Fan Vote – Ali Krieger (ORL)
Ali Krieger is another former US World Cup winner, like her partner Harris. In 2021, Krieger was crucial in an Orlando team’s defense that held the top spot in the standings for weeks. At the same time, Krieger is also bringing up a young center back defensive partner in Phoebe McClernon.
Fullbacks – Carson Pickett (NC) & Megan Klingenberg (POR)
Both Carson Pickett, from North Carolina and Portland Thorns‘ Megan Klingenberg are on this list for similar reasons. Each fullback is a menace to opposing defenses and can create offensively. In the 2021 regular season, Pickett has three assists, with Klingenberg having two of her own. Both fullbacks have a bevy of options on who can complete their passes and make the best of their opportunities with the ball.
It’d be no doubt too that Klingenberg would run the NWSL All-Star team pep talk.
Fan Vote – Ali Riley (ORL) & Sarah Gorden (CHI)
Ali Riley is not only a captain within the Orlando Pride but on the New Zealand national team. While this is her first year in the NWSL, Riley is a worldwide name in the sport and would garner a lot of attention in a fan vote. Also, she’s a strong defensive fullback that’s difficult for offenses to get through.
Chicago Red Star Sarah Gorden would get the fan vote for good reason. Gorden can play either center back or fullback brings a lot of speed to the position and does a lot more than just play a strong game on the field. Off the field, Gorden runs a non-profit for girls of color in the Chicago area and is a fan favorite amongst Red Star supporters.
Midfield – Denise O’Sullivan (NC), Marta (ORL) & Debinha (NC)
It’s hard to imagine any All-Star team that does not have Debinha. The Brazilian star would be one of the best players in any league that she chooses to play in. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe her abilities and work on the field. Debinha is a first pick NWSL All-Star.
Alongside Debinha in the midfield, and the Brazilian National Team, is Orlando’s Marta. In the Olympics this week, Marta scored a brace, the fifth Olympics in a row where she’s scored a goal. Marta isn’t just goal-scoring. Supporters can see Marta moving all around the midfield, depending on what the team needs. Against Washington this season, Marta even moved into a defensive midfield position to slow down the Washington Spirit attack. Wherever Marta is on the field, there’s attention from opposing teams.
Lastly is Denise O’Sullivan, the Ireland international and second Courage player in the midfield. O’Sullivan isn’t a goal-scoring, attacking, midfielder like Debinha and Marta, but her role is crucial for the Courage. Plays move through O’Sullivan’s midfield work. O’Sullivan allows the Courage to hold possession through opposing midfields and connects to offensive playmakers like Debinha or Jess McDonald.
Fan Vote: Moe Gautrat (CHI) & Jess Fishlock (OL)
For the midfield, there are two fan vote selections. Chicago’s Moe Gautrat is the one constant for a Red Stars side that’s had an up and down season, so far. Gautrat’s ability to press opponents and make quick passes into dangerous positions is a reason why Chicago is on a three-match winning streak.
Jess Fishlock, of OL Reign, was left off the Great Britain Olympic team this year but is a mainstay with Wales in a non-Olympic competition. For OL Reign, they’ve had a difficult season but Fishlock’s tenure in the league, and the Seattle area, puts her in a group of the most popular players in the league.
Forwards – Mallory Pugh (CHI), Midge Purce (NJ/NY) & Sydney Leroux (ORL)
Playing up top for the non-USWNT NWSL All-Stars are three high-powered offensive athletes that each have their own USWNT-tied motivations. For Mallory Pugh, injuries kept her out of playing in the SheBelieves Cup, and was then left off the international camp before the roster release. Since before the roster release, Pugh has been one of the best attacking threats in the league. Pugh isn’t a striker, but her speed and off-the-ball movement puts herself into positions where it creates an opening for a teammate or a shot on goal is made. Pugh has two assists and two goals in 10 regular season starts.
Gotham’s Midge Purce has similar connections to the US national team, minus the injury piece. Purce received call-ups for every camp in 2021, even scoring a goal in the USA’s 4-0 victory over Jamaica on June 13. When Andonovski announced the Olympic roster, Purce wasn’t on it. Since being left off, Purce has two goals and an assist in four matches.
Lastly is Orlando’s, Sydney Leroux. The former World Cup winner hasn’t featured for the USWNT in a few years. Since leaving, Leroux was open to the public, sharing critical comments about former US coach Jill Ellis and her time with the team. In 2021, Leroux has 5 goals in the regular season. It’s the first full year back for Leroux after having children and last year’s shortened pandemic. Leroux has made the most of her year, rushing defenders and creating chances out of pressure.
Fan Vote – Trinity Rodman (WAS) & Sophia Smith (POR)
Rookie Trinity Rodman has taken the league by storm. If not for the performances this season of the three selected above, Rodman would be a strong candidate for starting NWSL All-Star. In 9 starts, Rodman has three goals and two assists, and she’s only 19-years-old.
Sophia Smith isn’t much older than Rodman and, like Purce, has been part of the US camps but was left off the Olympic roster. Playing in Portland and scoring goals effortlessly would make Smith another strong pick in a stacked offensive third.
All-Star Snubs
Not every player can make an All-Star team, so there are of course players that are close but not close enough to make it. Instead of listing off names of players that were close, you tell us who was left off. Let Beyond Women’s Sports know in the comments below or on social media who you think should make the team.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports all season for more from the world of women’s soccer, basketball, and more. You can follow Thomas Costello on Twitter @1ThomasCostello.
