USWNT star defender Naomi Girma and upcoming prospect Olivia Moultrie have been named award-winners for the 2023 calendar year.
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Girma named USSF Female Player of YearMoultrie named USSF Young Female Player of YearLook ahead to NWSL seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
U.S. Soccer announced their award winners Thursday afternoon, stating that Girma anchored the USWNT defense to it's "lowest ever goals-against average in a calendar year". Moultrie, meanwhile, had a breakout season with the Portland Thorns while earning her first-ever USWNT cap with the first team.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT GIRMA SAID
“I’m honored and grateful to be the first defender and second Black player to win this award, but it’s really a testament to all the hard work put in by our goalkeepers, the back line and our whole team to achieve an historic year for our defense,” said Girma. “We are all very connected, work hard on the field, watch a lot of film to get better and really take pride in stopping teams from scoring. I always want to thank my friends and family, because they’ve been with me on every step of this journey. My coaches and teammates for club and country are the people who have helped shape me into the person and player I am today, so I’m very thankful to all of them. I’m super excited for what’s to come and can’t wait to get started here in 2024.”
GettyWHAT MOULTRIE SAID
“I’m just super exited and thankful to everyone who voted for me for this award, it’s really special,” said Moultrie. “To see the list of those players who have won it before, and what they’ve gone on to accomplish in their careers, is inspiring and motivating for me. It was a hard year but a fun year and I’m so appreciative of all the older players on the Thorns and the National Team who embraced me and helped me along the way. To grow as a person and a player, you really need your teammates, your coaches and your family, so thanks to all of them. It was a big year of growth for me, and I just hope it’s a step in the right direction. I promise I’m going to work even harder in the coming years.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Girma has planted her feet as one of the top defenders in the women's game at the moment. At the 2023 World Cup, she helped lead a defense that allowed just one goal and two shots past over four matches. She started all 16 international games she played in during 2023 as well. Moultire, meanwhile, broke out for the Thorns in 2023, appearing in all 22 regular season games for the Oregon-based club. She tallied 12 starts in league play, scoring two goals and notching three assists along the way.
