PORTLAND, Ore. – FIFA and France Football today announced that goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (Germany) and midfielder Vero Boquete (Spain), both key players for Portland Thorns FC during the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League season, have been named to the shortlist for the 2014 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year.
Angerer, 35, the reigning FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, helped the Germany Women’s National Team qualify for its seventh consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup in September. The captain of the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champions appeared in seven matches during FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying and posted five shutouts. In her first season for Portland in 2014, Angerer appeared in 22 matches (all starts), finishing the season ranked fourth in the NWSL in saves (74) and shutouts (4), while helping Portland reach the postseason for a second straight year.
Boquete, 27, a standout player for Thorns FC during the 2014 NWSL season, earned NWSL First XI honors and finished second in NWSL MVP voting. The captain of the Spain Women’s National Team appeared in 15 matches (all starts) during the 2014 NWSL regular season, recording four goals and six assists, which ranked fourth in the league. In September, Boquete helped Spain qualify for its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, recording three goals and three assists in eight matches during FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying.
The list of 10 female players was selected by experts from FIFA’s Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as a group of experts from France Football. The three finalists for the award will be announced on Dec. 1, while the winner, as voted on by the captains and head coaches of women’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by FIFA, will be announced on Jan. 12 in Zurich.
Click here for a complete list of the nominees.
