Thorns FC midfielder Verónica Boquete is one of 11 players that was named to the shortlist for the 2013-14 UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe Award this week. Portland goalkeeper Nadine Angerer won the award in 2013.
The Spain Women’s National Team captain helped guide Swedish club Tyresö FF to the 2013-14 UEFA Women’s Champions League final, tallying a goal and an assist, before her arrival in Portland. Boquete has already made an impact since she joined the team in early June. In eight matches (all starts) with the club, Boquete has scored three goals and ranks second in the NWSL with five assists. Boquete has also been selected as the NWSL Player of the Week twice.
The shortlist was voted on by the coaches of the eight teams that participated in last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals. The second round of voting will be composed of 12 journalists and the final three nominees will be named on August 14, 2014. That group of 12 journalists will cast their votes live during a special ceremony at the UEFA Champions League group draw stage.
Other notable names on the shortlist: U.S. Women’s National Team and NWSL forward for the Chicago Red Stars Christen Press and five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, Brazilian forward Marta, both who were teammates of Boquete’s at Tyresö FF.
For the complete list of nominees click here.
