As 2020 approaches, Goal picks out an XI of the best players from the women's game over the last 10 years
GettyGK: Hope Solo
Hope Solo divided opinion throughout her career, but never for her talent.
The former United States shot-stopper was named IFFHS’ Best Women’s Goalkeeper for four consecutive years, picked up the Women’s World Cup Golden Glove and Bronze Ball in 2011 and was named in both FIFPRO XIs that were voted on before her retirement in 2016.
After going home with a silver medal in the decade’s first World Cup, the error-free Solo got her hands on the trophy four years later, the highlight of a 16-year international career that brought about 202 caps and Olympic Gold in 2012.
AdvertisementCB: Wendie Renard
Few players have as many accolades to show from this decade than Wendie Renard.
Ten successive Division 1 titles, seven Coupe de France trophies and six Champions League titles show the dominance that Lyon have assumed over the last 10 years.
The towering centre-back has been key to that: helping them be one of the best defensive teams in Europe, while also scoring over 100 goals.
For France, she’s yet to taste the same success, but made the Dream Teams for Euro 2013 and the 2015 World Cup, with a place in every FIFPRO XI so far to boot.
GettyCB: Nilla Fischer
That Nilla Fischer improved European champions Wolfsburg when she arrived in 2014 speaks wonders of her ability.
The commanding centre-back, who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, would eventually become club captain, winning four league titles, five German cups and the Champions League in six years.
The 35-year-old has made the last three FIFPRO XIs, the latest helped by the Women’s World Cup Bronze medal she guided Sweden to this summer.
Add another of those, an Olympic Silver and three titles from her time with Malmo at the beginning of the decade, and it’s been a trophy-laden 10 years.
GettyCB: Becky Sauerbrunn
The United States have long produced reliable, commanding defenders, few better than Becky Sauerbrunn.
The 34-year-old was crucial to Kansas City’s back-to-back NWSL Championships in 2014 and 2015, named Defender of the Year for both campaigns, as well as in 2013. She is also the only player to be named in every NWSL Best XI since the competition’s inception in 2013.
For her country, two World Cups and Olympic Gold are the highlights of a wonderful 11-year international career. For the last three, she has showcased another part of her game, playing a crucial role to help her centre-back partner, Abby Dahlkemper, develop into one of the world’s best.