Abby Wambach's numbers don't lie, plain and simple. She scored 22 goals in this calendar year; her second most prolific year in her entire career (she scored 31 goals in 2004). In fact, this proves that although she is 32, she is still in top form, performing just as well as when she was in her "prime." Most players who reach the age of 30+ start to experience a sharp decline. Wambach, for her age, is phenomenal. She's keeping up with her youthful 23 year old striking companion, Alex Morgan, who has 25 goals this year. She may not be the fastest on the field, but what she lacks in speed, she makes up for in strength, smart positioning, and her often overlooked finesse on the ball. Wambach's experience is a huge advantage; she knows how to read the game, position herself, and direct players. Her leadership is unmatched on the soccer pitch. Abby was once again instrumental in the USA's success, most importantly in this year's 2012 London Olympics, in which they became the Gold medalists (I never get tired of saying that). She scored a goal in the USA's critical 4-2 comeback against France in the first match of the tournament, and scored in their 2-0 victory against Colombia in the second group game. She scored the only goal for the USA in the following 2 matches; the group match against North Korea and the Quarterfinal against New Zealand. She converted a crucial penalty in the instant-classic Semifinal against Canada, where the USA found themselves having to come back from a goal down multiple times. Her clutch penalty late in the second half was converted, equalizing the match to make the score 3-3 and keep the USA alive. She had 5 goals in the tournament, and was the second top scorer, behind only Christine Sinclair who had 6 goals. The only game Wambach didn't score in was the Olympic final. She was nominated for U.S. Female Athlete of the Year 2012 for her outstanding performance throughout the calendar year. Wambach came up big for the USA and was an important part of the team, often carrying them through the Olympics. She was a key member in the USWNT's victorious Olympic campaign, as well as a main contributor to the team's prolific and successful year.
Alex Morgan is young, energetic, and fast. She can latch onto any long ball and cause all sorts of hell for the opposing defense. She has had a breakout year, and has now solidified her spot alongside Wambach, in what is considered the greatest strike partnership in Women's soccer right now. On one end of the spectrum you have the physical, smart, and experienced veteran, Abby Wambach. And on the other you have the young, speedy, loose cannon that is Alex Morgan. Both compensate for what the other lacks. They are yin and yang. Two parts of the same whole. And Morgan has adapted well. Her 25 goals speak for themselves. In the Olympics she scored in 2 crucial games for the USA. Alex contributed to the all-important 4-2 comeback against France, and she scored the critical, dramatic winner against Canada in the Semifinals, a game in which the USA had to come back from being down multiple times. Her header in Extra Time saved the USA from looming penalties, which were only seconds away. She was also nominated for U.S. Female Athlete of the Year after her very successful breakout year. For a young player, she's been very prolific and playing with a skill level beyond her years.
I honestly don't understand FIFA's logic, and I'm not the only one. Why the hell is she a finalist? I can see her being one of the 10 nominees, but definitely not a finalist. I know FIFA would have a fit if it were an all-American contest, and everyone would think it was biased (funny because even though they have had American finalists before, they never actually win. I think an all-American contest is the only way an American can win...and even then they may still give it to Marta). She only scored 2 goals for Brazil in the Olympics; a tournament in which they had an early exit, losing to Japan in the quarterfinals. Marta was the only player out of the 3 finalists to have played in a league. She was with Swedish side Tyreso for the season. She scored 12 goals for the Swedish club, but wasn't voted as top player; teammate Veronica Boquete received those honors. Its quite unclear as to why she was nominated, when players like Rapinoe and Lloyd, who were crucial to the USA's Gold medal victory in the Olympics, were left out.
Who do I think should win? Abby Wambach, hands down. Will she get it? I sure hope. She's been screwed out of this award too many times, and I think its FINALLY time for her to receive these honors which she so deserves (I mean seriously, how can someone who's scored 148 international career goals not get this award?). As in every other year where she was a nominee or finalist (too many to count) the facts and figures lay it all out in plain sight. Wambach was once again one of if not the most important and prolific players for the USWNT. Every single year she's nominated, and her contributions and effectiveness outshines all others. This year its a close race between her and Morgan. But my argument is that Wambach was more consistent than Morgan, especially in the Olympics. Also, I feel that Morgan is still just a pup. Wambach has had an entire career, a legendary one, and has not yet won this title. Its almost criminal when you think about it. Wambach has done what Morgan has done years ago, and was never recognized. And even now, when competing with Morgan for this award (I don't see Marta as a valid entry, or one that has any serious chances), she still deserves it more. She may have 3 less goals within the year, but she was much more consistent overall and in the Olympics. Morgan is extremely talented for her age, she has become a USWNT mainstay at 23. Nobody's arguing with that. But she's still a new kid on the block, and has plenty of time to further impress us. She will become a big name in USWNT history down the line. But right now its still a little early. Wambach on the other hand is a veteran who is nearing the end of her career. I'm not trying to retire her at all (If she could stick around forever I would love it!) but my point is that she's done amazing things for U.S. Soccer, has become a legend in women's soccer, and when she breaks Hamm's record (she's only 10 goals away) she may even go down as the best to play the game. Think about that for a minute. Quite pathetic that she hasn't won a WPOTY yet, isn't it? Its about time she receives those honors, because its extremely overdue. My biggest fear is the fact that last year, when Sawa, Wambach, and Marta were nominated, Wambach was 3rd place in voting, behind Marta who was second, and Sawa who was first. What's scary is the fact that Wambach and Sawa were the MVP's for their teams in the World Cup, both of which made it to the final; meanwhile Marta didn't make it past the Quarterfinals with Brazil, didn't perform as well for her team, and yet still got more votes than Wambach. Even though Wambach deserves it because she had the best year out of all 3, I feel like Morgan might get it instead. The reason being that she has the edge in the media. Alex Morgan has become the new media darling. She's got the charisma, and most importantly, the looks. She's become a media sensation, and publicity has latched onto her and hyped her up. Not that she doesn't deserve the attention, but its blown up even more by the media swarm around her. Wambach gets media attention, but it was much more hard-earned. Wambach had to earn it by becoming a team leader, a top scorer, and one of the team's clutch and reliable MVPs. Now she commands respect as a USWNT legend. Morgan on the other hand had attention come more easily, in my opinion, prematurely. And when it comes to the FIFA WPOTY, as we've seen, a lot of it is based on media favoritism and recognition. Its the reason why Marta won it 5 times. Wambach has had the best and most consistent year, and was a crucial part to the USA's 2012 success, both in the Olympics and out. Even though she deserves it this year (just like she did last year, and the year before...) she might still get ripped off. But I feel like her chances of finally claiming the title of WPOTY are much higher this time around. For once I actually have a good feeling about this.
Will there be robbery or justice? We'll see what happens in January's FIFA Gala,
Denise
