Utah Royals FC’s Becky Sauerbrunn named NWSL’s defender of the year for fourth time
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Royals host Orlando Pride at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Wednesday May 9, 2018. Orlando Pride forward Sydney Leroux (2) and Utah Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn (4).
Becky Sauerbrunn, captain of the Utah Royals FC, was named the National Women’s Soccer League Defender of the Year, the league announced Wednesday. It’s the fourth time in her career she has received the accolade.
Sauerbrunn, who helped the U.S. Women’s National Team win its second consecutive Women’s World Cup over the summer, played 14 games for the Royals in the 2019 season. The team allowed just 25 goals on the year and recorded six shutouts.
Sauerbrunn was also named to the NWSL Best XI last week, along with Royals and USWNT teammate Christen Press. It’s Sauerbrunn’s second consecutive selection to the Best XI.
Defender Kelley O’Hara was named to the league’s Second XI.
Sauerbrunn received 45.9% of the first-place vote. The award is voted on by media, fans, players, owners, general managers and coaches.
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Alex is an expat from Los Angeles who started his journalism career in 2013 after attempting, and failing, to become the next great rock star. He most recently covered local sports in Chico.