Betos Named NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year

Portland Thorns goalkeeper Michelle Betos has been named the 2015 National Women's Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Year, the Thorns announced Wednesday.

Betos, 27, made 14 starts for the Thorns, with a 5-7-2 record, including 2 shutouts, and finished with a 1.286 goals against average, and made 45 saves on 63 shots on goal, facing 130 total shots.

Named the 2015 Rose City Riveters Player of the Year following the last home match of the season, Betos was also the Player of the Week for Week 10, following her stoppage time header past FC Kansas City to level the match at 1-1 on June 19, becoming the first goalkeeper to score a goal in NWSL history.

Betos enters the offseason as the Thorns #1 goalkeeper following the retirement of Nadine Angerer following the 2015 season.  In a media conference call last week, Thorns GM Gavin Wiklinson indicated the team will "sign a goalkeeper who can push and challenge Michelle to make sure she continues to earn her #1 spot."

THORNS FC’S MICHELLE BETOS VOTED NWSL GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos was voted the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Goalkeeper of the Year, it was announced today.

After appearing in 10 matches in her first two seasons in the league, Betos, 27, posted career-best numbers in games played (14), minutes played (1,260), saves (45), wins (5) and shutouts (2) in her second season with Thorns FC. Among NWSL goalkeepers, Betos ranked in the top three in games played and minutes played, conceding multiple goals in a match just four times all season.

Betos came up with key plays throughout the 2015 season to help Portland secure points late in matches. Notably, Betos became the first goalkeeper in league history to score a goal, which earned her NWSL Player of the Week honors for Week 10. Playing with 10 players and trailing 1-0 against FC Kansas City on June 19 at Providence Park, Betos converted a diving header in the final seconds of second-half stoppage time to secure a point for Portland. The goal was featured as the No. 2 play on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays the same night.  

The 2015 Thorns FC Supporters’ Player of the Year, Betos registered second-half stoppage time saves against Sky Blue FC on July 3 in a 2-1 win and denied forward Christen Press late to secure a 2-1 win against the Chicago Red Stars on Aug. 9. Betos also saved a second-half penalty kick, helping Thorns FC keep a clean sheet in a scoreless draw against the Houston Dash on June 6.

Betos began her NWSL career with Seattle Reign FC in 2013, starting in seven matches for the club. The New York native has competed in UEFA Women’s Champions League with Cyprus club Apollon Limassol (2012-13, 2013-14) and most recently with Danish club Fortuna Hjørring, helping guide the club to the Round of 16 during the 2014-15 version of the tournament.

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

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