3. AWARDS: Lilly nominated for FIFA award
- by Soccer America , Nov 30, 2006
Lilly, who game-winning goals gave the USA the Gold Cup and Peace Queen Cup championships this fall, is joined by Germany's Renate Lingor and Brazil international Marta as finalists.
Lilly, the world record holder with 319 caps, has never previously finished among the top three in the five-year history of the award. Brigit Prinz, the winner of the last three awards, was not on this year's short list despite leading defending champion Germany to a perfect record in World Cup qualifying and scoring her 100th career goal. American Mia Hamm won the award in 2001 and 2002.
The finalists for the FIFA Player of the Year are Italy's Fabio Cannavaro, Brazil's Ronaldinho and Frenchman Zidane Zidane.
The winner of a poll of the coaches and captains of men's and women's national teams around the world will be revealed on Dec. 18 at the FIFA World Player Gala 2006 held at Zurich's world-famous opera house with "Football meets Mozart" as its theme to commemorate this year's 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
