Portland Thorns’ Angela Salem named to NWSL Best XI; 4 other Thorns make Second XI

Thorns midfielder Angela Salem with a shot on goal as the Portland Thorns face the Houston Dash in an NWSL match at Providence Park on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
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Portland Thorns midfielder Angela Salem has been named to the National Women’s Soccer League’s Best XI first team, the league announced Wednesday.

Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby, midfielder Lindsey Horan and defenders Meghan Klingenberg and Emily Menges were selected for the NWSL Best XI second team, or Second XI.

Salem played in 23 games for the Thorns this season, scoring two goals to go with one assist on her way to to being named a finalist for league MVP. The 33-year-old led the Thorns in minutes played with 1,779 and finished eighth in the NWSL in chances created with 43.

Bixby, 25, led the NWSL with a 0.69 goals-against average and posted nine shutouts in 16 appearances.

Horan notched two goals in 14 appearances, and her three assists were tied for the team high. Horan, 27, previously was named to the Best XI in 2018 and 2019, and to the Second XI in 2017.

Klingenberg also recorded three assists while leading the Thorns in chances created with 49, the fifth most in the league. Klingenberg, 33, previously was named to the Second XI in 2017.

Menges, 29, had one assist and helped lead the Thorns defense to a team- and league-record 13 shutouts. A finalist for NWSL defender of the year this season, Menges previously made the Best XI in 2016 and the Second XI in 2017 and 2018.

Balloting for the Best XI and Second XI teams is based on a weighted scale, with votes coming from players (50%), owners/GMs/coaches (20%), media (20%) and fans (10%).

2021 NWSL Best XI first team: Goalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan, NJ/NY Gotham FC. Defenders: Alana Cook, OL Reign; Caprice Dydasco, NJ/NY Gotham FC; Sarah Gorden, Chicago Red Stars; Carson Pickett, North Carolina Courage. Midfielders and Forwards: Jessica Fishlock, OL Reign; Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit; Margaret Purce, NJ/NY Gotham FC; Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit; Angela Salem, Portland Thorns FC; Eugenie Le Sommer, OL Reign.

2021 NWSL Best XI second team: Goalkeeper: Bella Bixby, Portland Thorns FC. Defenders: Emily Fox, Racing Louisville FC; Sofia Huerta, OL Reign; Meghan Klingenberg, Portland Thorns FC; Emily Menges, Portland Thorns FC. Midfielders and Forwards: Bethany Balcer, OL Reign; Rachel Daly, Houston Dash; Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC; Sydney Leroux, Orlando Pride; Ifeoma Onumonu, NJ/NY Gotham FC; Mallory Pugh, Chicago Red Stars.

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