Nov. 27, 2009
CHICAGO, ILL. -
The finalists for each of the four prestigious U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Awards - Female, Male, Young Female, and Young Male - have been announced by the sport's governing body in the United States with North Carolina's Heather O'Reilly and Tobin Heath being named finalists for the Female and Young Female awards, respectively.
With the announcement, voting for the annual U.S. Soccer awards begins today on ussoccer.com Vote for U.S. Soccer Awards, with fans having the opportunity to make their selections for each of the four Athlete of the Year categories once a day from now until Dec. 13.
The U.S. Soccer Male and Female Athletes of the Year awards are the oldest and most prestigious awards of their kind, dating back to 1984 for the men and 1985 for the women, while the Young Male and Young Female awards were added in 1998.
The finalists for each award were nominated on the basis of: a) competing and excelling at the highest level (both at the national team and professional level) during the calendar year; b) exhibiting decorum on and off the field that reflects well on U.S. Soccer; and c) contributing toward the growth, development, credibility and popularization of soccer in the USA. A player can only win a Youth Athlete award once in his or her career (past winners).
Online votes for the annual award will be tallied and equivalent to 50 percent of the total votes. As in years past, the other 50 percent will be represented by votes compiled from members of the national media and U.S. Soccer representatives (from national team coaches to the National Board of Directors).
In addition to voting for the annual U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Awards, fans can also vote daily for the eighth annual edition of the Best of U.S. Soccer awards until the Dec. 13 deadline. The 2009 Best of U.S. Soccer Awards span 12 categories in an eclectic ballot. The winners of the 2009 Best of U.S. Soccer awards are decided entirely by online fan votes submitted during the next few weeks.
U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Candidates
Shannon Boxx, Midfielder
Heather O'Reilly, Midfielder
Christie Rampone Defender
Hope Solo, Goalkeeper
Abby Wambach, Forward
U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year Candidates
Tobin Heath, Midfielder
Christine Nairn, Midfielder
Sydney Leroux, Forward
Kelley O'Hara, Forward
Katie Schoepfer, Forward
