Sentnor joins the list of decorated U.S. soccer players to earn the prestigious Young Female Soccer Player of the Year award
It's day two of the U.S. women's national team January camp, and Ally Sentnor is focused on the task at hand: Compete and get the attention of Emma Hayes to earn a spot on the SheBelieves Cup roster for February.
However, a surprise was is store for the young attacking player: The U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year award. The Utah Royals striker and one of the most decorated talents in the USYNT program, earned the prestigious award – one that has honored some of the very best in U.S. Soccer history, from Jaedyn Shaw to Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath.
The award has been given since 1998, when Cindy Parlow was the first to ever win Young Female Player of the Year. Sentnor was humbled and extremely grateful, mentioning the long history of role models who have won the award.
USA TODAY SportsWHAT HAPPENED
Appropriately enough, the No. 1 pick at the 2024 NWSL Draft pick was voted 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. Sentnor was also a nominee for NWSL Rookie of the Year, after a strong debut scoring three goals and chipping in four assists for the Utah Royals.
The Hanson, Massachusetts native has been a rising star in both the NWSL and on the international stage, scoring for the U.S. at almost every youth level. Acccording to U.S. Soccer, of the five finalists for this award, Sentnor earned 55.8% of the overall votes.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Sentnor had a standout performance at the Under-20 FIFA Women's World Cup, helping the Americans earn third place overall. Sentnor scored three times, and against Germany in the quarterfinal match, had one of the most dramatic tying goals that brought the USYNT back and pushed the game into overtime.
This match was known as one of the biggest comebacks in U.S. history, as the U20 USYNT was down 2-0 against Germany in the third minute of extra-time. In the 97th and 98th minute, a miracle performance took over the field and the Americans tied the match.
After the tournament, Sentnor was awarded the Bronze Ball, for third-best player in the tournament.
ImagnWHAT SENTNOR SAID
“The words that come to mind are grateful and humbled," Sentnor said in a statement. “To see the list of players who have won this before shows me the opportunities that are ahead. I know there is so much work to do for myself and my generation, but we’ve had amazing role models in the players from the past and the veteran players who are on the team now. I’m so excited about the next steps that Emma is taking with National Team and I’m going to work as hard as I can to try to earn more opportunities to be with this special group of players.”
Getty ImagesALL-TIME U.S. SOCCER YOUNG FEMALE AWARD WINNERS
1998 – Cindy Parlow
1999 – Lorrie Fair
2000 – Aly Wagner
2001 – Aleisha Cramer
2002 – Lindsay Tarpley
2003- Cat Reddick
2004 – Heather O’Reilly
2005 – Lori Chalupny
2006 – Danesha Adams
2007 – Lauren Cheney
2008 – Kristie Mewis
2009 – Tobin Heath
2010 – Bianca Henninger
2011 – Sydney Leroux
2012 – Julie Johnston
2013 – Lindsey Horan
2014 – Morgan Brian
2015 – Mallory Pugh
2016 – Ashley Sanchez
2017 – Sophia Smith
2018 – Tierna Davidson
2019 – Brianna Pinto
2020 – Naomi Girma
2021 – Trinity Rodman
2022 – Jaedyn Shaw
2023 – Olivia Moultrie
2024 – Ally Sentnor
