CWNT keeper LeBlanc wins the NWSL Player of the Week honour

When it comes to Canadians and the Portland Thorns, its Christine Sinclair who gets the headlines. After all, she was the NWSL’s first-ever player of the month. But, on Tuesday, it wasn’t the Thorns’ Canadian striker making the news — it was the team’s Canadian keeper. Karina LeBlanc was named the league’s Player of the Week. LeBlanc made seven saves as the Thorns were fortunate to get a 0-0 draw out of their weekend match against the league-topping Sky Blue FC. Two of the saves came after the 90th minute. But, while this is a weekly award, LeBlanc’s body of work for the 2013 season can’t be ignored. She has six clean sheets and tops the league with a 0.64 goals-against average. Erin McLeod looks to have solidified her position as Canada’s No. 1 keeper — she was the only thing that kept the host Germans from turning last week’s 1-0 friendly win over our women’s national side. But, with a fantastic debut season in NWSL, LeBlanc has ensured she remains in that conversation.