Thorns FC midfielder Tobin Heath is one of five nominees for the 2016 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year award, it was announced today by U.S. Soccer. Fellow nominees include forwards Crystal Dunn and Alex Morgan, midfielder Carli Lloyd, and defender Becky Sauerbrunn.
Heath, 28, turned in an impressive 2016 on the international scene, scoring six goals and adding eight assists, both career bests for one of the USA’s most skillful players.
She was named to her first NWSL Best XI in 2016 after recording a goal and setting a new league record for assists (10) in 14 matches (13 starts) during the 2016 regular season. Heath was instrumental in all offensive aspects for the club, as she led the team in assists, shots on goal (18) and corner kicks taken (61). The Basking Ridge, N.J., native was named the NWSL Player of the Month for the month of April and also picked up NWSL Player of the Week honors for Week 6. Heath was named to her third Olympic roster, starting in three matches, while registering a pair of assists during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The winner will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 11 on ESPN FC.
A new voting process was put in place starting in 2014. Votes will be collected from National Team coaches and staff, WNT players who have earned a cap in 2016, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer’s Athlete Council, National Women’s Soccer League coaches, select college head coaches and select media members.
The U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year has been awarded since 1985, when midfielder Sharon Remer (known then as Sharon McMurtry) earned the inaugural honor.
