**CHICAGO (October 12, 2017) –** North Carolina Courage midfielders Sam Mewis and McCall Zerboni along with defender Abby Dahlkemper have been selected to the National Women’s Soccer League Best XI for the 2017 NWSL season. The NC Courage led the way with three selections to the squad followed by the Chicago Red Stars and Orlando Pride with two members each on the team. Seven players earned their first selection to the Best XI this year, highlighted by the top two goal scorers in the league – Sky Blue FC forward **Samantha Kerr** and Orlando midfielder **Marta**. Four of those first-time selections are set to feature in the 2017 NWSL Championship Game on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. as **Abby Dahlkemper**, **Samantha Mewis**, **McCall Zerboni** and the Courage go up against **Adrianna Franch** and the Portland Thorns in a match broadcast nationally at 4:30 p.m. ET live on Lifetime. FC Kansas City defender **Becky Sauerbrunn** and Chicago Red Stars forward **Christen Press** were the only two players from the 2016 Best XI also voted to the team this year. It was the fifth consecutive selection to the squad for Sauerbrunn and the third straight selection for Press. Seattle Reign FC midfielder **Jess Fishlock** was voted to the Best XI for the fourth time in five years, while Pride defender **Ali Krieger** made her second appearances on the team. Fishlock has earned a place on the Best XI or Second XI in all five years of the NWSL. Krieger is the oldest player on the squad and the fifth-oldest player ever selected to Best XI. She is one of five players – including Sauerbrunn, Marta, Zerboni and Fishlock – voted to the team over the age 30, the most of any Best XI side in the five-year history of the NWSL. Krieger was also one of three players – along with Fishlock and Red Stars defender **Casey Short** – made the leap to the Best XI after making the Second XI last season. **2017 NWSL Best XI**

Position	Player	Club	Country	Note
Goalkeeper	Adrianna Franch	Portland Thorns FC	USA	11 shutouts

Defender	Abby Dahlkemper	North Carolina Courage	USA	2,160 minutes
Defender	Ali Krieger	Orlando Pride	USA	2,160 minutes
Defender	Becky Sauerbrunn	FC Kansas City	USA	1,980 minutes
Defender	Casey Short	Chicago Red Stars	USA	1,914 minutes

Midfielder	Jess Fishlock	Seattle Reign FC	Wales	7 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder	Samantha Mewis	North Carolina Courage	USA	6 goals, 3 assists
Midfielder	McCall Zerboni	North Carolina Courage	USA	3 goals, assist

Forward	Marta	Orlando Pride	Brazil	13 goals, 6 assists
Forward	Samantha Kerr	Sky Blue FC	Australia	17 goals, 4 assists
Forward	Christen Press	Chicago Red Stars	USA	11 goals, 4 assists

The NWSL awards are voted on by club officials, players, media that cover the league on a consistent basis and fans. Tickets are on sale now for the 2017 NWSL Championship, starting as low as $20. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase seats throughout the 25,500 capacity venue, including in the North end of Orlando City Stadium – North America’s first safe-standing supporter’s section. Tickets are available online at [www.NWSLchampionship.com](http://www.nwslchampionship.com/) and by phone at 1-855-ORL-CITY.