Will this be the year that Marta will be dethroned as FIFA's women's world player of the year? The Brazilian striker has won the award for the past five years and was among the 10 players nominated for the 2011 award.

The United States has three players on the list all of whom played for the WNT at last summer's Women's World Cup in Germany.

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.

FELIZ MARTES! The shortlist for the Women's FIFA Ballon d'Or has been announced and surprise, surprise, three of the names drawn are from the US national team. The winners, Japan, also have two possible winners in the list, as do France. Abby Wambach (seen above with a fan), Hope Solo and Aya Miyama are a few of the key names but all these talented futbolitas are all winners in their own right.

"Hey now, you're an All-Star..."
The FIFA Technical Study Group selected an All-Star Team from this summer's Women's World Cup and it consists of 22 players, consisting of two goalkeepers, six defenders, seven midfielders and six "attackers."Four U.S. players made the list: Hope Solo, Shannon Boxx, Lauren Cheney and Abby Wambach.

So often in major international tournaments, the knock-out stages are where the rot starts to set in, even though they are supposed to be where the tournament ‘hots up.' Thankfully, the 2011 Women's World Cup quarter-finals were more hot than rot. In truth, although the group stages produced a lot of watchable football, they lacked a bit of bite and intensity at times.

Shocks continue to abound in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup with defending two-time winners Germany crashing out in their home tournament on Saturday whilst Brazil went out on penalties to the United States on Sunday.

Saturday saw Germany unexpectedly go out to Japan with Karina Maruyama's goal in the second half of extra-time sealing the fate of the tournament hosts who were hoping to win a third straight world crown following their wins in 2003 and 2007.

A whole lotta Schelin in this World Cup

After eliminating Norway in the group stage, the Matildas could not become Scandinavian giant killers falling to Sweden in the quarters. But they did stretch their opponents as Ellyse Perry scored to make inroads into Sweden's lead. Lisa De Vanna, Tameka Butt and Kyah Simon kept the back line busy and Collette McCallum was a constant threat with her set pieces.

I think the Swedish team needs to bring back the team-wide braided pigtails they sported to a third-place finish in 2003. They need the mojo.
They're scoreless against Columbia through the first half hour
30 - Rincon tries a free kick from way outside. Hmm. Colombia is scrappy, but they look exhausted already in the heat.

I think the Swedish team needs to bring back the team-wide braided pigtails they sported to a third-place finish in 2003. They need the mojo.
They're scoreless against Columbia through the first half hour.
30 - Rincon tries a free kick from way outside. Hmm. Colombia is scrappy, but they look exhausted already in the heat.