I'm having a hard time justifying anybody over Birgit Prinz. Five for five in club titles in one calendar year? Offensive production was outrageous once she joined Carolina. Germany didn't have a bad year either. Any other nominations?
Isabelle Morneau just kidding! lol ... i also agree that prinz should be a shoe-in for the award...any americans that should be in the running? can't really think of anybody.... elaine
Re: FIFA Player of the Year 2002 Here's the link to the thread that was started awhile ago in the Courage Forum: Courage Candidates For FIFA Women's Player of the Year Does anyone know when the voting by the FIFA coaches actually takes place?
I wonder if FIFA will do anything this year about not allowing votes from coaches who have demonstrated in the past that they are completely undeducated about top players?
I'd have Hege Riise, Marinette Pichon (if she can qualify France over England) as possible nominations. I'd even consider Mia Hamm as a nominee, if she had been able to play more this year and kept the torrid pace up she'd have been a lock to be nominated but she just may not have played enough. Still, I'd have to pick Prinz to win it. Asian Games and Gold Cup yet to be played though, maybe other candidates will emerge there?
Just a Thought What was FIFA's most pleasant surprise this year? What was the biggest event of the year? Who was the best player? Womens U19 WC Christine Sinclair
Tiffeny Milbrett should have won last year, but they picked Mia Hamm. So, if current form is obviously not the main criterion, maybe Milbrett should be recognized this year? I think Birgit Prinz and Marinette Pichon deserve consideration, but again, I'm thinking of current form. In the end, political considerations (which I don't pretend to understand) will probably be determinative.
Mia Hamm is picked on old merits and hasn't been the best for several years now. Tiffeny Milbrett should have won last year, but 90% of those eligible to vote only know the name of one female player and that's Mia. She will probably win again.
A lot of people think Prinz should have won it last year also. Mia was fantastic this year... when she played. She probably didn't play enough to earn a serious nomination though. However, it appears there has been no change to the system from last year so I don't see any change in the result...
prinz definatly, if she dont get it i think they need to reconsider some of these programs and include some football media in the poll. pichon 2nd france doesnt make it near the qualfiers if she isnt there, and WUSA MVP Millbret 3rd Mia 4th Sinclair for U19 POY (i know not an official category but why not) O'reilly 2nd U19