Chicago Red Stars goaltender Alyssa Neher and defender Sam Staab have both been named to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Eleven of the Month for March/April presented by Amazon Prime, the league announced. It was announced today.
This is the third time in Neher's illustrious career that he has been named to the league's Team of the Month. The keeper started all six games for Red Stars between March and April, keeping one clean sheet and making 18 saves. Neher's last shutout for the Red Stars came in the season opener against the Utah Royals. Neher made five saves in the game, the goalie's first game with five saves since Oct. 1, 2023, against Racing Louisville. With the home opener win against Seattle in Week 2, Neher marked his 50th career win with the Red Stars, becoming the first goaltender to win 50 games with one club. In his second matchup against Seattle in late April, Neher became the first goaltender to play over 15,000 minutes in the NWSL, helping his team win the season against Seattle.
Sam Stave, who was traded to the Red Stars this offseason from the Washington Spirit, is the sixth monthly player following May and June 2019, October 2021, March and April 2023, and May 2023. Awarded Best Eleven. Staab completed his third Ironwoman campaign, playing hard for the Washington Spirit while being named to the NWSL's Best Eleven First Team. From March to April of this season, Staab recorded six interceptions and two tackles for loss, helping Chicago get off to its best start in club history. The defender started in Week 4 against Angel City FC and led the league in consecutive games. Since then, the defender has added four more starts, extending his streak to 98 games. In Chicago's season opener, Staab lofted a cross inside Utah's 18-yard box and scored off the head of Arie Schlegel. Schlegel gave Chicago the lead with a header past the keeper and gave Stave his first assist as a Chicago Red Star. .
The NWSL Eleven of the Month, presented by Amazon Prime, is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a group of writers who regularly cover the league, and the NWSL's on-air broadcast talent. You can read his full monthly Best Eleven for March and April from Prime below.
Goalkeeper: Alyssa Neher (CHI)
Defender: Sam Staab (CHI), Maria Barclay (NC), Naomi Girma (SD), Casey Krueger (WAS)
Midfielder: Croix Bethune (WAS), Taylor Flint (LOU), Vanessa DiBernardo (KC)
forward: Bea Zanerat (KC), Temwa Chawinga (KC), Sophia Smith (POR)