Sol's Marta World Player of the Year Candidate
FIFA announced the finalists earlier today.
Three of the five women finalists play in MLS - the others are Kelly Smith (Boston Breakers) and Cristiane (Chicago Red Stars).
From the WPS press release:
Cristiane, BRA/Chicago Red Stars - The only player in WPS to notch a hat trick this season, her incredible long-range strike against FC Gold Pride in mid-July was one of the goals of the year this season in WPS. Finished with seven goals, fourth-best in WPS.Marta, BRA/Sol - Winner of the 2009 Michelle Akers Player of the Year Award as the league MVP, Marta notched 10 goals and 3 assists to lead the Los Angeles Sol to the WPS Regular Season title and a spot in the WPS Championship game.
Kelly Smith, ENG/Boston Breakers - Tallied six goals in just 15 games in WPS this year to lead the Boston Breakers early charge to start the season as one of the best teams in WPS and winning WPS Player of the Month honors for April. Finished among the top five in WPS in goals and was a consistent threat in the offensive third with her dangerous left foot.
The other two finalists come from 2009 European Champions, Germany: Inka Grings and Birgit Prinz. Both Marta and Prinz have won the award three times and each is looking to win for the record fourth-time. The winner will be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala scheduled for December 21 in Zurich, Switzerland.
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Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Their seems to be a bit of an anti-us movement in fifa on the women's side. How can not even 1 American player be a finalist? It is a travesty that the best soccer player in the world this year - Christie Rampone - wasn't even a finalist! Did nobody from FIFA actually watch any of the WPS this year? Marta was shut down time and again in the finals by a pregnant Christie Rampone!!! You tell me who the world soccer player of the year is.