PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was named National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2017 season, it was announced today.



An NWSL Best XI selection, Franch, 26, helped guide Thorns FC to the 2017 NWSL Championship, registering a shutout and five saves in Portland’s 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage on Oct. 14 in Orlando, Fla.



The Salina, Kan., native, who was one of four Thorns FC players to play every minute in 2017, anchored the top defense in NWSL, which posted a 0.83 goals-against average and seven home shutouts, equaling the best mark in league history for both goals-against average and home shutouts, while also setting a Thorns FC team record with 11 shutouts.

During the regular season, Franch broke the NWSL single-season record for shutouts (11), surpassing the previous mark of 10 shutouts set by FC Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart in 2013. Among goalkeepers, Franch led the league in save percentage (80.0) and finished tied for fourth in the NWSL in saves (80).



The NWSL awards are voted on by club officials, players, media that cover the league on a consistent basis and fans.