Voting for 2012 Best of U.S. Soccer Awards begins Nov. 5

U.S. Soccer has announced the schedule for voting in the 2012 Best of U.S. Soccer Awards. Fans can vote for finalists in each of the five categories starting Monday, Nov. 5, on U.S. Soccer’s Facebook page.

The 11th annual Best of U.S. Soccer series features a new category promoted each day throughout the week. Fans will be able to view photos and videos of the nominees while discussing some of the best moments in 2012.

The week kicks off with the “Best Save” and a showdown between two National Team goalkeepers: Hope Solo and Tim Howard. In the “Best Performance: Team” category on Tuesday, two big wins from the U.S. Men’s National Team (against Italy and Mexico) will face off with some classic performances from the Women’s National Team from the 2012 Olympics and the U-20 Women’s National Team’s memorable run to win the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan.

On Wednesday, the “Best Goal Celebration” highlights the unique and fun celebrations behind some of the biggest goals of 2012 and on Thursday “Best Performance: Player” showcases some of the best individual efforts from the year, including Howard’s big game in Mexico and three WNT performances en route to winning the gold medal at Wembley.

The week concludes on Friday with “Best Goal,” where five goals from 2012 will go head-to-head, with Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Abby Wambach vying for the most votes from fans.

Voting for the 2012 Athletes of the Year awards will be conducted later in November, with fans able to vote on Facebook. Online votes for the Athlete of the Year awards are equivalent to 50 percent of the total votes. As in years past, the other 50 percent will be represented by votes compiled from members of the national media and U.S. Soccer representatives (from national team coaches to the National Board of Directors).

The U.S. Soccer Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards are the oldest and most prestigious awards of their kind, dating back to 1984 for the men and 1985 for the women, while the Young Male and Young Female awards were added in 1998.

2012 Best of U.S. Soccer Categories
Best Goal
Best Goal Celebration
Best Performance: Player
Best Performance: Team
Best Save