Kim Little: Biggest Ballon d’Or Shortlist Snub

By Emily Helle | Nov 7, 2014

The votes are in for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014 shortlist. Each year on the women’s side the FIFA Committee for Women’s Soccer releases a list of the top ten international players for the 2013-14 season. These selected players are then entered to compete for the coveted Women’s Player of the Year Award. With all the buzz surrounding trades and extension contracts within the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) one of the most surprising aspect to this year’s FIFA shortlist is the absence of the NWSL’s brightest star and 2014 League MVP, Kim Little (Scotland).

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Little finished the 2014 NWSL season with the most points in the league earning sixteen goals for the Seattle Reign FC, and she finished second in the league with seven assists. The closest player in the leaderboards was U.S National Team forward Amy Rodriguez, who finished the season three goals behind Little. Wales’ National Team Captain, Jessica Fishlock (Wales), just edged Little in the assist category with eight.

Aug 31, 2014; Tukwila, WA, USA; Seattle Reign FC midfielder Kim Little (8) protects the ball form FC Kansas City defender Kassey Kallman (14) during the first half at Starfire Soccer Stadium. Kansas City defeated Seattle 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

I had the pleasure of watching Little play in person this summer when the Chicago Red Stars played the Seattle Reign FC (SRFC) on July 20^th and I’ve followed her closely this past season with the SRFC. Her recognition of space is uncanny, not to mention her speed and technical ability that constantly put defenders to shame. Six of her 16 goals came from the penalty spot, which can in part be contributed to her steadfast composure under pressure.

During the run of play, Little exploited pockets of space in the back line that led to breakaway after breakaway. She even found ways to the back of the net when 1v1 against some of the best goalkeepers in the world including the current FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, Nadine Angerer of Germany. There is no doubt that Little should have made the FIFA Shortlist for Women’s World Player of the Year. See all sixteen of her goals below:

I would like to say that it’s surprising FIFA got this one wrong; however, as of late, the

Fédération Internationale de Football Association

has made some pretty terrible calls including

, not to mention FIFA’s plans to use artificial field turf for the World Cup in Canada 2015. That’s a completely different

. It’s time for FIFA to start showing some consistency in their attempts to grow the women’s game. No one likes poor officiating.

Here are the candidates for the FIFA Ballon d’Or (in alphabetical order):

Nadine Angerer (Germany)

Veronica Boquete (Spain)

Nilla Fischer (Sweden)

Nahomi Kawasumi (Japan)

Nadine Kessler (Germany)

Marta (Brazil)

Aya Miyama (Japan)

Louisa Necib (France)

Lotta Schelin (Sweden)

Abby Wambach (USA)

Stay tuned for the winners of the Ballon d’Or to be announced on Jan 12, 2015 at the Zurich Kongresshaus. Who do you think will win FIFA Women’s World Player of The Year? Who should have been on the list? Be sure to leave us a comment below.