Copper Queens striker Barbra Banda was named in the United States National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team for the month for a second month in a row.
Banda who is regarded by many as one of the best players in the World is the only player from Orlando Pride to have made the list for April.
Kansas City Current and Gotham have dominated the best eleven for April with three players each.
Kansas City have contributed defender Izzy Rodriguez, Debinha and Labonta while Gotham’s trio include Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett and the free scoring Spanish forward Esther Gonzalez.
The NWSL Best XI of the Month, which is presented by Amazon Prime, is selected by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league consistently, and the NWSL’s on-air broadcast talent.
Awards for the month of April are based on performances during NWSL regular season matches.
FULL BEST XI;
GK – Aubrey Kingsbury (WAS): In 270 minutes of action in goal, Kingsbury made a month-leading 13 saves to secure two clean sheets in April.
D – Lilly Reale (GFC): A rookie out of UCLA, Reale scored her first professional goal in a 3-1 win over North Carolina on April 13.
D – Izzy Rodriguez (KC): Rodriguez notched an assist in a pair of Current wins over Houston and San Diego.
D – Emily Sonnett (GFC): Sonnett achieved a 93 percent passing accuracy along with four interceptions throughout April.
D – Ryan Williams (NC): A mainstay on the North Carolina backline, Williams scored her first professional goal in a dramatic 3-2 victory over the top-ranked Current on April 26.
M – Kenza Dali (SD): Dali scored her first NWSL goal in a 4-1 win over Racing Louisville FC on April 19.
M – Debinha (KC): Debinha notched her third goal of the season to earn her second-straight nomination to the Best XI.
M – Lo’eau LaBonta (KC): LaBonta tallied two goals in 270 minutes of action for the top-ranked Kansas City Current.
F – Barbra Banda (ORL): Banda recorded 11 shots across three matches, leading to a pair of goals as the Pride continued their quest for a second-straight Shield-winning campaign.
F – Delphine Cascarino (SD): Tied for the league’s assist lead, Cascarino added another assist and two goals to her scoring account in April.
F – Esther González (GFC): The April Player of the Month, González tallied a whopping seven goals in four matches to take control of the NWSL Golden Boot race.
