Photo by Thomas Eisenhuth/ISIphotos.com
After a year in which the United States women's national team reached the World Cup final, Abby Wambach, Hope Solo and Alex Morgan were rewarded by being named are among the 10 finalists for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award.
Wambach and Solo helped carry the United States to the final, while Morgan managed to make the final cut for the award despite never being deployed as a regular starter under manager Pia Sundhage.
The other finalists are Sonia Bompastor (France), Kerstin Garefrekes (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Aya Miyama (Japan), Louisa Necib (France), Homare Sawa (Japan) and Lotta Schelin (Sweden).
Marta has won the award for the last five years.
Here are a few more stories to kick off your Tuesday:
SLOVENIA MAKES COACHING CHANGE
When Slovenia hosts the U.S. men's national team in a friendly next month the coaches on both sidelines will be different than when the two countries met in the 2010 World Cup.
Matjaz Kek, who guided Slovenia to the World Cup, ultimately paid the price for not getting Slovenia to qualify for Euro 2012 and was ushered out in favor of Slavisa Stojanovic. The first match for the new manager will be against the United States on Nov. 15.
VIDIC RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Manchester United centerback Nemanja Vidic has retired from international soccer, citing the criticism of his attitude toward the national team as a major reason for his decision.
Vidic, 30, missed a penalty kick in Serbia's 1-0 loss to Slovenia that prevented Serbia from having a chance at reaching the Euro 2012 finals next summer.
''The main reason for this decision is that for a long time, especially in light of recent events, the media and thus the public criticized my attitude toward the national team, even though I sometimes played injured, sometimes against the will of my club,'' Vidic said. ''Therefore, I do not want to burden the next generation of our players before the new cycle of qualifications."
BANNAN ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING
Aston Villa's up-and-coming midfielder Barry Bannan was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving following a car accident on Sunday.
Bannan, a 21-year-old Scottish international, and former Villa player James Collins were both arrested and bailed. Bannan didn't train with Aston Villa on Monday as the club looks into the incident to determine any potential course of action.
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Surprised to see three U.S. players on the women's POY shorlist? Think anybody unseats Marta? Think it benefits the USA to face Slovenia during its first match under a new coach? What do you make of Vidic's retirement?
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