Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper, Emily Boyd, was named to National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) July Best XI of the Month presented by Mastercard, the league announced today. This is Boyd’s first league recognition since being drafted by the Red Stars in 2018.  

Boyd, who stepped in for Alyssa Naeher once Naeher departed to join the United States Women’s National Team for the World Cup, played in her first match of the season Saturday, July 1, against San Diego Wave FC. In that match, Boyd, faced 15 shots on 60 percent possession by San Diego, made four saves and walked away with a clean sheet; the team’s second clean sheet of the season.   

In July, the Seattle native played four matches for the Red Stars, two in the UKG Challenge Cup and two in regular-season play. The keeper amassed a save percentage of 90.5 percent over those four matches, three clean sheets and is third among all goalkeepers in saves made in Challenge Cup play after playing in just two matches in the tournament.  

Boyd ended her impressive July with a Star of the Match performance against the Kansas City Current. In that match, Boyd faced 11 shots, made 5 saves and capped the night with a save on a penalty kick by the Current. Boyd’s diving save of the penalty attempt was the first penalty save of her career and earned her another clean sheet.  

The NWSL Best XI of the Month is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis, and the NWSL’s on-air broadcast talent. The full Best XI for July is below: 

GK: Emily Boyd (Chicago Red Stars) 

D: Malia Berkely (North Carolina Courage), Abby Erceg (Racing Louisville FC), Sarah Gorden (Angel City FC), Paige Monaghan (Racing Louisville FC) 

M: Savannah McCaskill (Angel City FC), Narumi Miura (North Carolina Courage), Jenna Nighswonger (NJY Gotham FC) 

F: Kristen Hamilton (Kansas City Current), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Midge Purce (NJY Gotham FC)