Naomi Girma voted 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year

Defender Naomi Girma was called U.S. Soccer’s Female Player of the Year for 2023 on Thursday, endingupbeing simply the 2nd Black gamer to win in the award’s 39-year history.

Olivia Moultrie was called the federation’s Young Female Player of the Year.

The 23-year-old Grima was on a U.S. defense that enabled simply one objective at the Women’s World Cup last summerseason. But the United States was knocked out of the competition in the Round of 16 on charge kicks after a scoreless draw with Sweden. It was the earliest exit ever for the Americans.

Girma, who likewise plays for the San Diego Wave in the National Women’s Soccer League, was called the NWSL Defender of the Year. She is the 6th gamer to win both a Young Player of the Year award, which she won in 2020, and the Player of the Year award.

“I’m honored and grateful to be the veryfirst protector and 2nd Black gamer to win this award, however it’s actually a testimony to all the tough work put in by our goalkeepers, the back line and our entire group to attain an historical year for our defense,” Girma stated in a declaration. “We are all really linked, work difficult on the field, watch a lot of movie to get muchbetter and actually take pride in stopping groups from scoring.”

Girma played every minute of the group’s World Cup run. Overall, she began in 16 videogames for the United States last year.

Moultrie, 18, made 2 looks last year for the senior U.S. nationwide group. She played in all 22 videogames this season with her NWSL group, the Portland Thorns, beginning in12 She had 2 objectives and 3 helps in the routine season.

“It was a huge year of development for me, and I simply hope it’s a action in the right instructions,” Moultrie stated. “I pledge I’m going to work even harder in the coming years.”

U.S. Soccer’s gamers of the year are figuredout by vote of nationwide group coaches and gamers, members of the federation’s board of directors and professionalathletes’ council, NWSL head coaches, choose members of the media and fans.

Girma made 61.6% of the vote, while Moultrie made 38.3%.

Reporting by The Associated Press.