**CHICAGO (October 10, 2017) –** North Carolina Courage goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland and captain Abby Erceg have been selected to the National Women’s Soccer League Second XI for the 2017 NWSL season. The 2017 Best XI will be announced Thursday. The four teams that reached the 2017 NWSL Playoffs made up 10 of the 11 spots on the Second XI – with Seattle Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe the only player on the side not involved in the postseason. Portland Thorns FC and the Chicago Red Stars lead the way with three selections each, followed by the North Carolina Courage and Orlando Pride with two apiece. Rapinoe was one of three players – along with Chicago Red Stars players Julie Ertz and Danielle Colaprico – voted to the Second XI for the third time in their careers. In all, six players made their return to the squad as Orlando Pride players Alex Morgan and Steph Catley as well as Red Stars midfielder Sofia Huerta were honored for the second time. Ertz and Colaprico are the only players that made the 2016 Second XI to repeat the accomplishment this year. Colaprico has now been voted to the squad in each of the last three seasons. All five first-time selections to the Second XI are set to feature in the 2017 NWSL Championship Game on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. as **Katelyn Rowland**, **Abby Erceg** and the Courage will face off against Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Lindsey Horan and the Thorns for the league title. The match will be broadcast nationally at 4:30 p.m. ET live on Lifetime. Menges was previously voted to the 2016 NWSL Best XI, while Ertz was selected to the Best XI in 2015. Ertz has now been named to the NWSL Best XI or Second XI all four years of her career. **2017 NWSL Second XI**

Position	Player	Club	Country	Note
Goalkeeper	Katelyn Rowland	North Carolina Courage	USA	39 saves, 8 shutouts

Defender	Steph Catley	Orlando Pride	Australia	2,032 minutes
Defender	Abby Erceg	North Carolina Courage	New Zealand	Goal, 2 assists
Defender	Meghan Klingenberg	Portland Thorns FC	USA	6 assists
Defender	Emily Menges	Portland Thorns FC	USA	2,063 minutes

Midfielder	Danielle Colaprico	Chicago Red Stars	USA	1,903 minutes
Midfielder	Julie Ertz	Chicago Red Stars	USA	4 goals, 3 assists
Midfielder	Lindsey Horan	Portland Thorns FC	USA	4 goals, 2 assists
Midfielder	Sofia Huerta	Chicago Red Stars	USA	6 goals, 4 assists

Forward	Alex Morgan	Orlando Pride	USA	9 goals, 4 assists
Forward	Megan Rapinoe	Seattle Reign FC	USA	12 goals, assist

The NWSL Second XI is comprised of the next leading vote getters at each position that did not make the Best XI. 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. — [www.NWSLsoccer.com](http://www.nwslsoccer.com/) —