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They may not get the glory, but any coach will tell you that you can’t lift a trophy without strong defenders.
Here are the nominees for Best Women’s Defender of the Year!
Click here to vote in the 2021 CONCACAF Awards!
Here are the nominees for Best Women’s Defender of the Year:
Alana Cook, now of OL Reign, became a champion in France, lifting the title with PSG. She also played 20 NWSL matches with OL Reign and suited up in three friendly matches for the United States.
Allyson Swaby lifted a trophy in 2021, winning the Coppa Italia with Roma and scoring once in 22 matches in league play. She also played a pair of friendly matches with Jamaica.
Ashley Lawrence helped Canada to the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, playing every minute of all six matches. She added a French title with PSG and was named part of the French league’s Best XI.
Becky Sauerbrunn racked up the trophies with the Portland Thorns in 2021, winning the NWSL Challenge Cup, the NWSL Shield and the International Women’s Champions Cup. She played five matches at the Olympics, helping the U.S. to bronze and won the 2021 SheBelieves Cup.
Caprice Dydasco was named the 2021 NWSL defender of the year, putting in over 2,000 minutes for Gotham FC, scoring her first goal and adding five assists. Gotham was runner-up in the Challenge Cup.
Crystal Dunn made an impact in her first season with the Portland Thorns, helping the squad to the NWSL Challenge Cup, NWSL Shield and International Women’s Champions Cup. She helped the U.S. to the SheBelieves Cup crown and played in every game at the Olympics, earning a bronze medal.
Janelly Farias logged six goals between the 2021 Clausura and Apertura for Club America, playing in 31 total matches. She also made a pair of Mexico appearances in the calendar year.
Kadeisha Buchanan played in all six matches of Canada’s gold-medal run in Tokyo and also finished as runner-up in the Women’s International Champions Cup with Olympique Lyon. Also scored a goal in the French league.
Rebeca Bernal captained Monterrey to a title, winning the 2021 Apertura with Rayadas. She also made her mark on the Mexico national team, playing in 10 friendly matches in 2021.
Vanessa Gilles played four matches for Canada on the way to the gold medal in Tokyo. She also added a goal in 19 matches for Girondins Bordeaux in the French top division.
