Heavy USWNT presence in CONCACAF player of the year nominations

The CONCACAF Awards nomination list is out for 2017, and on the women’s side, there’s a big United States presence, as you might expect, given the US’ dominance of the region both on the national team level and in terms of development of a domestic pro league. It’s nice to see a few players from leagues outside the United States peeking in, and hopefully in the future Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil will be making a bigger splash come awards time. For now, this list definitely reflects the imbalance in women’s NTs in CONCACAF.

Here’s a list of the 10 nominees for player of the year:

Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride, USA)
Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City, USA)
Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/Manchester City, USA)
Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns, CAN)
Jessie Fleming (UCLA, CAN)
Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars, USA)
Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign, USA)
Sam Kerr (Sky Blue FC, AUS)
Sam Mewis (North Carolina Courage, USA)
Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns, USA)

Americans are also well-represented among goalkeeper of the year:

Stephanie Labbe (Washington Spirit, CAN)
Sabrina D’Angelo (North Carolina Courage, CAN)
Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City, USA)
Kailen Sheridan (Sky Blue FC, CAN)
Jane Campbell (Houston Dash, USA)
Dinnia Diaz (UD Moravia, CRC)
Cecilia Santiago (Club America, MEX)
Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride, USA)
Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars, USA
Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns, USA)

Best XI - Defender nominees:

Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage, USA)
Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride, USA)
Allysha Chapman (Boston Breakers, CAN)
Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City, USA)
Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars, USA)
Diana Saenz (UD Moravia, CRC)
Emily Menges (Portland Thorns, USA)
Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC, USA)
Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns, USA)
Rebecca Quinn (Duke, CAN)

Best XI - Midfielder nominees:

Allie Long (Portland Thorns, USA)
Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/Manchester City, USA)
Desiree Scott (FC Kansas City, CAN)
Jessie Fleming (UCLA, CAN)
Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars, USA)
Karla Nieto (CF Pachuca, MEX)
Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns, USA)
Morgan Brian (Chicago Red Stars, USA)
Sam Mewis (North Carolina Courage, USA)
Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns, USA)

Best XI - Forward nominees:

Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride, USA)
Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars, USA)
Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns, CAN)
Fernanda Barrantes (Deportivo Saprissa, CRC)
Janine Beckie (Houston Dash, CAN)
Karla Villalobos (UD Moravia, CRC)
Marta (Orlando Pride, BRA)
Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign, USA)
Sam Kerr (Sky Blue FC, AUS)
Sydney Leroux (FC Kansas City, USA)

Jill Ellis also got a nomination for coach of the year.

Nominations are compiled using three categories: on-field statistics, analysis by CONCACAF Technical Study Group, and nominations by NT head coaches and captains. Three different groups will vote in each category, with each category weighted equally: NT head coaches and captains from CONCACAF member associations, media members registered in CONCACAF’s database, and fans.

Player of the year will be announced on December 17 at 8 PM ET at the Premios Univision Deportes.

What do you think? Who on this list shouldn’t be here, and who should win? Is that different from who actually will win? Are all awards meaningless or is that just hater talk? Let us know in the comments.