U.S. Soccer has announced that defender Naomi Girma is a nominee for its 2023 Player of the Year Awards which recognizes the top performers across all its National Teams, including the Female Player of the Year.
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Girma, 23, was named the 2023 NWSL Defender of the Year, earning the honor for the second-straight season. Girma helped to lead the team to an 11-win season and the 2023 NWSL Shield, while being among the top five players in the NWSL in passes completed (948) and passing accuracy (88.68%).
The 2020 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, Girma put together an impressive campaign on the backline during her second year with the USWNT. At the World Cup, she played every minute at center back as the U.S. allowed just one goal and two shots on goal in four matches. The Northern California native finished the year third in minutes played as the U.S. allowed its lowest ever goals against average in a calendar year (min. 10 games played).
The nominees for the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year are defenders Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox and Girma, midfielder Lindsey Horan and forward Sophia Smith.
