Annual Women's Professional Soccer awards explained

Women's Professional Soccer hands out a number of yearly awards. Six were awarded from the start in 2009 and one more, the Rookie of the year award, was added in 2010.

The first five awards listed are voted on by fans, players & coaches, and media, each group accounting for 33% of the total vote.

Player of the Year Award

The Michelle Akers Player of the Year Award is a soccer award for players in Women's Professional Soccer. The award is given to the player deemed the most valuable player in the league each season. It is named after former USA great Michelle Akers.

Coach of the Year

The Coach of the Year Award is an award given by Women's Professional Soccer to the best coach in any given season. The award has been given since the league's inception in 2009.

Goalkeeper of the Year

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) has handed out a Goalkeeper of the Year Award (currently the Coast Guard Goalkeeper of the Year for sponsorship reasons) since 2009.

Defender of the Year

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) has handed out a Defender of the Year award since its inception in 2009.

Rookie of the Year

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) has handed out a Rookie of the Year Award (currently the U.S. Soccer Federation Rookie of the Year) since 2010. It is awarded to the most outstanding player in the league who recently graduated from college.

Golden Boot award

The WPS Golden Boot (currently the PUMA Golden Boot for sponsorship reasons) has been awarded since the 2009 to Women's Professional Soccer's regular season leading scorer. First tiebreaker is number of games played.

bgcolor=eeeeee colspan=3 align=centerWinnerbgcolor=eeeeee colspan=3 align=centerRunner-up
SeasonPlayerClubGoalsPlayerClubGoals
2009 MartaLos Angeles Sol10 Camille AbilyLos Angeles Sol8
2010 MartaFC Gold Pride19 Abby WambachWashington Freedom13
2011 MartaWestern New York Flash10 Christine SinclairWestern New York Flash10

Sportswoman of the Year

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) has handed out a Sportswoman of the Year award (currently the Citi Sportswoman of the Year for sponsorship reasons) since 2009. This award is voted on solely by players and coaches.

See also

References