MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University junior Kadeisha Buchanan earned the 2015 Hyundai Young Player Award, presented tonight following the United States’ 5-2 win over Japan, at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, at BC Place Stadium, in Vancouver.
Buchanan, a center back and native of Brampton, Ontario, beat out 53 eligible athletes for the honor, awarded by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) to the player born after January 1, 1995, deemed to have made the biggest impression in the competition. Eligible athletes were rated according to the following criteria: exceptional skill level, youthful and refreshing playing style, creativity and inspiration, tactical maturity and efficiency, fan recognition through entertaining performances, role model for young players, positive attitude and fair play.