July 15, 2011
GOLDEN BALL FINALISTS
Solo, Cheney, Wambach are among dozen

Three American players -- goalkeeper Hope Solo, midfielder Lauren Cheney and striker Abby Wambach -- were among a dozen players who were nominated for the Golden Ball at the Women's World Cup in Germany.

The players nominated by the FIFA technical study group. The top three players will be selected based on voting by the media.

The nominees:

Brazil: Marta

France: Sonia Bompastor, Louisa Necib

Germany: Kerstin Garefrekes

Japan: Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, Shinobu Ohno

Sweden: Caroline Seger, Lotta Schelin

United States: Hope Solo, Lauren Cheney, Abby Wambach