Kelly Smith of Boston Breakers Named FIFA Women's Finalist

Boston Breakers midfielder Kelly Smith has been named one of the five finalists for the 2009 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Award. 2009 marks the third year Smith has been named a finalist for the award.

“Kelly Smith has a unique and special soccer talent,” said head coach Tony DiCicco.  “Her athletic ability, coupled with her amazing ability to read the game and not only make the right decision but have the skill to get it done, puts her as one of the best women to have ever played the game.

"I am privileged to coach her, and our Breakers fans and fans all across the WPS are treated to an exceptional talent every game she plays in. I am delighted that she is one of the finalists for FIFA Female Player of the Year.”

In the inaugural season of play, Smith lead the Breakers in total points, scoring six goals and two assists in just 15 games. She finished among the top five in WPS in goals scored and was selected to the WPS All-Star team but was unable to participate due to English National Team duties. 

Smith was awarded WPS Player of the Month honors for April, becoming the league’s first-ever monthly award recipient.

The English National Team forward helped England win the 2009 Cyprus Women’s Cup, defeating Canada 3-1, including a goal from Smith. She also played for England during the 2009 European Championships, where England reached the finals.

Smith was nominated to the FIFA Women’s World Player 2009 short list in October by the FIFA Football Committee and the FIFA Committee for Women’s Football. She was selected as a finalist for the Player of the Year award after a poll in which the coaches and captains of women’s national teams from around the world voted for candidates from the short list.

Smith joins two other WPS players, Marta of the Los Angeles Sol and Cristiane of the Chicago Red Stars, as finalists for the award. The other two finalists, Inka Grings and Birgit Prinz, come from 2009 European champions Germany. Both Marta and Prinz have won the award three times, and each is looking to win for the record fourth time.

The winner will be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala scheduled for Dec. 21 in Zurich, Switzerland.

The previous story is excerpted from a Press Release by the Boston Breakers of the WPS. What's News is the alternate profile of Bleacher Report writer Todd Civin and is used to repost Press Releases for the AHL, the WPS, and the NY-PENN baseball League.

Civin is a supporter of the award-winning children's book A Glove of Their Own, which promotes Pay It Forward through baseball.