United States captain Carli Lloyd and head coach Jill Ellis claim top awards at the FIFA Ballon D’Or

The FIFA Ballon D’or awards took place earlier this evening in Zurich, Switzerland. There was two awards up for grabs in the women’s section and it was the United States who claimed the rights to both.

 

Jill Ellis was awarded the FIFA Women's World Coach of the Year after an incredible year where she guided the United States to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015. Ellis was under a lot of pressure ahead of the tournament with an aging team, poor performances and being the predecessor to Tom Sermanni who was fired after a short term. However, she made some key changes and guided the United States to their third FIFA Women’s World Cup.

 

Ellis seen off previous winner Japan's Norio Sasaki who won the award in 2011 after winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup and head coach of England Mark Sampson, who guided England to third place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 which was their highest finish in a FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. Upon accepting the award, Ellis paid respect to her players and staff; "To my players, the captains, my staff back in the U.S. right now, it is my sincere gratitude for your commitment and your effort and your belief in this team."

 

Carli Lloyd was crowned the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year. Lloyd is the third American to win the prestigious award joining Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach. Lloyd surpassed other nominees Celia Sasic of Germany who won the Golden Ball at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and Japan's Aya Miyama who was a finalist in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Lloyd won the bragging rights of player of the year after a phenomenal FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 where she scored a hat-trick in the final, won the Golden Ball and finished second in the golden boot.

 

Lloyd and Ellis next challenge with the United States is to face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly on January 23rd in Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Be sure to follow the build up to this game on ExtraTime.ie.

    About Rachael Stack

    View Full Profile