Oct. 19--Carli Lloyd, whose first-half hat trick started the U.S. on its way to a 5-2 victory over Japan in the Women's World Cup final last summer, is one of three Americans named to the shortlist for FIFA's World Player of the Year award.
Lloyd has a team-leading 16 goals and four assists in 21 games for the U.S., which is 17-1-3 this year.
Also among the 10 women nominated are midfielder Megan Rapinoe and goalkeeper Hope Solo, who gave up just one goal in her first six games at the World Cup, earning recognition as the tournament's top goalie.
Jill Ellis, who guided the Americans to their first world title in 16 years, is among the 10 finalists for Women's Coach of the Year.
The awards recognize the best in each category between November 2014 and November 2015. A select jury of voters will choose the winners, who are to be announced in Zurich, Switzerland, on Jan. 11, 2016.
Mia Hamm won the Player of the Year award the first two years it was presented, in 2001-2002. Abby Wambach, in 2012, is the only U.S. player to have won since then.
The shortlists for the men's awards are to be revealed Tuesday.
The finalists:
FIFA Women's World Player of the Year
FIFA World Coach of the Year
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