SAN DIEGO — A 2023 FIFA World Cup standout athlete and San Diego Wave FC star player has made history as the first pure defender to win the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.
Naomi Girma, 23, is the first pure defender to win the award in nearly four decades.
Girma was given the honor of NWSL Defender of the Year and is considered one of Team USA’s best players at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I’m honored and grateful to be the first defender and second Black player to win this award, but it’s really a testament to all the hard work put in by our goalkeepers, the back line and our whole team to achieve an historic year for our defense,” said Girma. “We are all very connected, work hard on the field, watch a lot of film to get better and really take pride in stopping teams from scoring.”
Girma is going into her third professional season with the San Diego Wave FC and her third year playing on the U.S. National Women’s team.
“At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, her first world championship at the senior level, she was one of the USA’s best and most consistent players,” San Diego Wave FC said in a statement.
Girma ended 2023 third on the U.S. Women’s National Team in minutes played and started in all 16 games during the year.
“I always want to thank my friends and family, because they’ve been with me on every step of this journey. My coaches and teammates for club and country are the people who have helped shape me into the person and player I am today, so I’m very thankful to all of them. I’m super excited for what’s to come and can’t wait to get started here in 2024,” Girma said.
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