Three US players — Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Johnston — were named on Thursday among eight short-listed for the Golden Ball Award given to the best player at the Women’s World Cup. .
The tournament concludes on Sunday with holders Japan playing the United States in Vancouver in a rematch of the 2011 final.
Japan have two candidates for the award — captain Aya Miyama and defender Saori Ariyoshi — FIFA announced on Thursday.
Germany forward Celia Sasic is also among the contenders along with England defender Lucy Bronze.
Former two-time winners Germany take on England in the play-off for third place in Edmonton on Saturday.
France’s Amandine Henry has also made the short-list, despite her team being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany on penalties.
Midfielder Henry scored a superb goal against Mexico.
Lloyd helped lift the United States past Germany in the semi-final with a penalty and a decisive cross for a 2-0 win.
Sasic missed a penalty in the game against the United States but is the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.
The candidates for the Golden Glove for the tournament’s top goalkeeper are Germany’s Nadine Angerer, the 2007 winner; Japan’s Ayumi Kaihori and American Hope Solo, who won in 2011.
The three candidates for the “Young Player Award” are Canada’s Kadeisha Buchanan, 19, Norway’s Ada Hegerberg, 19, and 20-year-old Chinese midfielder Tang Jiali.
