Emily Menges (right) enjoyed another outstanding season for Portland. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

Portland Thorns defender Emily Menges has been named to the NWSL Second XI.

The Garden City, N.Y. native played in 23 matches (all starts), logging 2,063 minutes in her fourth season with Portland this National Women’s Soccer League season.

The former Albertson Fury standout was part of a backline that allowed a league-low 20 goals and posted 0.83 goals-against average during the regular season, equaling the mark for the best goals-against average (0.83) in a season in NWSL history, while also registering 11 clean sheets.

Menges, 25, finished the regular season ranked second in interceptions (70), recoveries (149) and fourth in clearances (104) among defenders.

Last season Menges was named to the NWSL Best XI.

Portland plays the North Carolina Courage for the NWSL crown in Orlando, Fla. Saturday.

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

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.