No one was more suprised than Megan Rapinoe in being named to the FIFPRO Women’s World11. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

U.S. women’s national team forwards Tobin Heath and Megan Rapinoe Thursday were named to the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World11 during the FIFA Best Of ceremonies.

Despite playing only a handful of games, both Americans players were selected to the team.

Heath started the year with the Portland Thorns (National Women’s Soccer League) before joining Manchester United (FA Women’s Super League, England).

Rapinoe performs for OL Reign (NWSL). On Twitter, the Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner at the 2019 Women’s World Cup admitted she didn’t see the honor coming.

“I am obviously very honored to have been recognized by my peers around the world who vote for the FIFPro World!1,” she wrote. “At the same time, it did come as [a] surprise to me that I met the criteria for selection as I haven’t played a match since March [2021, here I come!].

“We have so many phenomenal female players around the world and all of us need to do what we can to recognize them. the fact I was selected once again sheds light on the fact that in order to put our game forward, we need continued investment in the women’s game to give more female players the opportunity to be seen on TV in their home countries and globally while performing for club and country.”

USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who backstopped the Americans to the 2019 world championship, was among three finalists for FIFA’s Best Women’s goalkeeper. Olympique Lyonnais’ Sarah Bouhaddi secured that honor.

FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World11

Goalkeeper: Christiane Endler (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea FC Women), Lucy Bronze (Olympique Lyonnais/Manchester City WFC) and Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyonnais)

Midfielders: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus Women), Verónica Boquete (Utah Royals/AC Milan Women) and Delphine Cascarino (Olympique Lyonnais)

Forwards: Pernille Harder (VfL Wolfsburg/Chelsea FC Women), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns/Manchester United WFC), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal WFC) and Megan Rapinoe* (OL Reign)

 

* Megan Rapinoe was included as a fourth forward in accordance with the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World11 Rules of Allocation.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.