5. U.S. SOCCER: Athlete of the Year Candidates

• by Soccer America , Dec 19, 2006

Voting closes Wednesday for the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Awards. The U.S. Soccer Male and Female Athletes of the Year Awards date back to 1984 for the men and 1985 for the women, while the Young Male and Young Female awards were added in 1998.

ONLINE VOTING:

U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Awards

Best of U.S. Soccer Awards (sponsored by Soccer America)

Online votes for the annual award will be tallied and equivalent to 50 percent of the total votes. The other 50 percent will be represented by 100 votes compiled from members of the national media and U.S. Soccer representatives (from national team coaches to the National Board of Directors).

U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Candidates
Abby Wambach, Forward
Kristine Lilly, Forward
Cat Whitehill, Defender
Hope Solo, Goalkeeper
Leslie Osborne, Midfielder

U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year Candidates
Clint Dempsey, Midfielder
Bobby Convey, Midfielder
Brian McBride, Forward
Kasey Keller, Goalkeeper
Oguchi Onyewu, Defender

U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year Candidates
Danesha Adams, Forward
Val Henderson, Goalkeeper
Stephanie Lopez, Defender
Amanda Poach, Midfielder
Amy Rodriguez, Forward

U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year Candidates
Josmer Altidore, Forward
Quavas Kirk, Midfielder
Johann Smith, Forward
Nathan Sturgis, Defender
Preston Zimmerman, Forward