Houston Dash forward Carli Lloyd is one of three finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2017, FIFA announced Friday.   She is joined by Lieke Martens, who won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 tournament with the Netherlands, and Venezuela’s Deyna Castellanos.   Lloyd is the two-time reigning Best Women’s Player, previously known as the […]

Houston Dash forward Carli Lloyd is one of three finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2017, FIFA announced Friday.She is joined by Lieke Martens, who won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 tournament with the Netherlands, and Venezuela’s Deyna Castellanos. Lloyd is the two-time reigning Best Women’s Player, previously known as the FIFA World Player of the Year, when she won for the first time in 2015. In 2017, Lloyd returned to the Dash after spending the first half of the year with Manchester City, where she made it to the Champions League semifinals. She also won the FA Cup, scoring a goal in the final at Wembley Stadium. [Youtube oembed has failed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU2_xrfIrCo] Houston went on a six game unbeaten streak shortly after her return. Currently out with an ankle injury, she’s scored twice for the Dash this season, including a Goal of the Week nominee in a 2-0 win in Orlando. [Youtube oembed has failed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xO1nFOjzbc] The three finalists were selected from a shortlist of 10 players, compiled by a panel of six women’s soccer experts: Mia Hamm, Maia Jackman, Nadine Kessler, Jacqueline Shipanga, Sissi and Sun Wen. Shortlist:

Lucy Bronze | England, Manchester City

Deyna Castellanos | Venezuela, Santa Clarita Blue Heat

Pernille Harder | Denmark, Linkopings / VfL Wolfsburg

Sam Kerr | Australia, Perth Glory / Sky Blue FC

Carli Lloyd | USA, Houston Dash / Manchester City

Dzsenifer Marozsan | Germany, Olympique Lyonnais

Lieke Martens | Netherlands, FC Barcelona

Vivianne Miedema | Netherlands, Arsenal

Wendie Renard | France, Olympique Lyonnais

Jodie Taylor | England, Arsenal