The Top 6 Centerbacks in the NWSL
Defenders are often the unsung heroes of soccer. They may not have the glory of scoring goals, but they are essential, the backbone of a solid team, especially for the center back. Center backs are to defense what the center striker is to offense, they’re the leader of the line, and frequently they’re the leader of the team. The NWSL has tons of stellar center backs, but here are a few of the top tier.
Becky Sauerbrunn
Top of the list is, without a doubt, Becky Sauerbrunn. A fixture of the USWNT since 2008, Sauerbrunn knows exactly how to read the field from the backline. Currently of the Thorns, Sauerbrunn has played for three teams in her NWSL career, including FC Kansas City and Utah Royals. In her eight years with the NSWL, she has won Defender of the Year four times (2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019), and she has been named on the Best XI every year since 2013.
Abby Dahlkemper
On this list, Abby Dahlkemper is one of only two players to beat Sauerbrunn out for NWSL Defender of the Year, which she won in 2017. Dahlkemper, currently of the Houston Dash, has played for clubs both internationally and stateside as well as for the USWNT. Her defensive skills and long balls from the backline were pivotal for the USWNT in the 2019 World Cup. Alongside Sauerbrunn, Dahlkemper has also been named to the Best XI for several consecutive years: 2017-2019. Dahlkemper will no doubt fill Sauerbrunns’s shoes when retirement comes around, but for now, it is a joy to watch them work together.
Ali Krieger
Ali Krieger has been on the USWNT as long as Sauerbrunn and has made quite the name for herself domestically and overseas. Shifting between midfield and right and center back, Krieger won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with FFC Frankfurt. She was also part of the defensive line that kept the USWNT’s opponent scoreless for 540 minutes in the 2015 World Cup. Krieger has been with the Orlando Pride since 2017. Additionally, she was named to the Best XI that same year for the second time.
Julie Ertz
Although she now mainly plays midfield, Julie Ertz will always be a center back at heart. Up until 2017, Ertz was a tried and true defender for the USWNT. Despite her international switch-up, Ertz still is for her club team, the Chicago Red Stars. Ertz has been present for some of the USWNT’s greatest hits, including several World Cups, Olympic Games, and SheBelieves Cups. Ertz is almost always in the thick of it when it comes time for corner kicks and set pieces and always ready to be back on defense. When Ertz is on the backline, you know defense is in good hands.
Emily Sonnett
Emily Sonnett’s name has been coming up more and more in recent years. Named to the USWNT in 2015, along with Abby Dahlkemper, Sonnet has been steadily climbing the ranks. Much like Ertz, Emily Sonnett can play either defense or midfield. So far, Sonnett is a bronze medalist and FIFA World Cup champion and was named to the NWSL Best XI in 2018. Sonnett is only 27, so there is a lot more time for her to grow and shine.
Abby Erceg
Originally from New Zealand, Abby Erceg is the third person to ever win Defender of the Year besides Dahlkemper and Sauerbrunn. Erceg is the captain of the North Carolina Courage and has been a member of the New Zealand national team since 2006. In 2018, with Erceg at center back, the Courage only had one loss their entire season and didn’t concede a single goal during any of their playoff games against the Portland Thorns. Erceg was named Best XI in that same year, along with her NWSL Best Defender title. Erceg commands any team she is added to and continues to prove herself time and time again.
There is so much talent in the back lines of the NWSL it’s incredible. Without these women, the game would look entirely different. These six pros should serve as inspiration to all young soccer players out there.
Featured image via @houstondash on Instagram
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS
Girls Soccer Network
Your source for girls soccer news
