US women’s national team stars Julie Johnston, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Hope Solo are in line for the top individual awards at this summer's Women’s World Cup.
Johnston, Lloyd and Rapinoe are on the short list for the adidas Golden Ball award, which will go to the top outfield player at the tournament, while Solo is a finalist for the adidas Golden Glove award, which goes to the top goalkeeper.
Lloyd has three goals and an assist, all of which have come in the knockout rounds, while Rapinoe has two goals and an assist to her name. Johnston has led a defense that allowed just one goal in six games and is riding a 513-minute shutout streak leading up to Sunday’s final. Solo leads all ‘keepers with 12 saves and one goal allowed.
Japan, the USA’s opposition for the final in Vancouver (7 pm ET; FOX), features Golden Ball finalists Saori Ariyoshi and Aya Miyama.
Canada’s Kadeisha Buchanan is one of three nominees for the Hyundai Young Player award, which goes to the best under-20 player at the tournament.
FIFA’s technical study group nominated the finalists and will select the winners, who will be announced after the final.
Here is the complete list of finalists:
adidas Golden Ball
Saori Ariyoshi (Japan)
Lucy Bronze (England)
Amandine Henry (France)
Julie Johnston (USA)
Carli Lloyd (USA)
Aya Miyama (Japan)
Megan Rapinoe (USA)
Celia Sasic (Germany)
adidas Golden Glove
Nadine Angerer (Germany)
Ayumi Kaihori (Japan)
Hope Solo (USA)
Hyundai Young Player
Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada)
Ada Hegerberg (Norway)
Jiali Tang (China)
