Carli Lloyd, whose first-half hat trick started the U.S. on its way to a 5-2 victory over Japan in the Women's World Cup final last summer, is one of three Americans named to the shortlist for FIFA's World Player of the Year award.
Lloyd has a team-leading 16 goals and four assists in 21 games for the U.S., which is 17-1-3 this year.
Also among the 10 women nominated are midfielder Megan Rapinoe and goalkeeper Hope Solo, who gave up just one goal in her first six games at the World Cup, earning recognition as the tournament's top goalie.