Aïssata Traoré has been named to the NWSL Best XI of the Month for September, the league announced Friday.
Traoré is among the three forwards named to the team, which is selected by the NWSL Media Association. The league newcomer joins the ranks of NWSL veterans Sophia Wilson and Ashley Sanchez.
The Malian's three goals in three consecutive matches made September her most successful month this season.
Aïssata Traoré's three goals in September
Traoré is the first Boston Legacy FC player to be named to the monthly best XI, adding to the many “firsts” she has accumulated this year.
Much like the rest of the team, Traoré has shown a vast improvement in her quality of play. The 29-year-old recorded three goals in the first half of the season as the expansion side adjusted to the competitive league. Traoré has scored seven goals since the June break and has cemented herself as one of the team’s most pivotal players.
Legacy head coach Filipa Patão said Traoré's deepened insight has resulted in smarter runs and understanding when she needs to play deeper to help her teammates maneuver tight spaces when the opponent is pressing.
“She's a player with capacities that we know, inside this league, make a lot of difference. So for us, it’s not a surprise,” Patão said about the accolade. “We knew that Aïssata needed time to adapt inside the league and inside our process, and now she's being a more consistent player in the front.”
Traoré is the team’s leading scorer with 10 goals.
