Defender Naomi Girma has been named U.S. Soccer’s 2023 female player of the year. She is the first “pure defender” to win the award in its 39-year history, per USSF. Girma played every minute for the U.S. women at the 2023 World Cup. She won her second NWSL Defender of the Year award in her second professional season with San Diego Wave FC. Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie won female player of the year.
