Orlando Pride forward Marta has been named a finalist for the 2018 FIFA The Best Women’s Player Award. Marta is one of three finalists, alongside Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) and Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany/Lyon). The winner will be announced on Monday, September 24, in London. The time period considered for the award is August 7, 2017 to May 24, 2018. The three […]

Orlando Pride forward Marta has been named a finalist for the 2018 FIFA The Best Women’s Player Award.Marta is one of three finalists, alongside Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) and Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany/Lyon). The winner will be announced on Monday, September 24, in London. The time period considered for the award is August 7, 2017 to May 24, 2018. The three finalists were voted on by fans, selected media, national team coaches and national team captains, to narrow down an original shortlist of 10 players. The shortlists were put together by a panel of 12 experts, including Mia Hamm, Sissi, Sun Wen and Nadine Keßler. Four NWSL or former NWSL players made the original shortlist —Marta, Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr, Seattle Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe and former Portland Thorns FC midfielder Amandine Henry (Olympique Lyon) — with Marta making it as one of three finalists after voting. Marta, Kerr and Rapinoe were all finalists for the 2017 NWSL MVP award. The original shortlist of nominees for best women’s player: Lucy Bronze (England/Lyon), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Wolfsburg), Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Amandine Henry (France/Lyon), Sam Kerr (Australia/Chicago Red Stars), Saki Kumagai (Japan/Lyon), Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany/Lyon), Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride), Megan Rapinoe (United States/Seattle Reign FC) and Wendie Renard (France/Lyon). On the coaching side, the finalists for best women’s coach are Reynald Pedros (Lyon), Asako Takakura (Japan) and Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands). Portland Thorns FC coach Mark Parsons was on the original shortlist, but did not make the list of finalists.