Carli Lloyd has been named the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.
Lloyd had an outstanding World Cup.
Lloyd edged out striker Celia Sasic of Germany and midfielder Aya Miyama of Japan and credited her intense training as the mainstays of her preparation as an elite player in the women's game.
"I think it's being mentally prepared. Physical preparation gets you there and keeps you there, being mentally strong and tough, visualising, being ready and focused keeps you there. A switch goes off in crunch situations when my team needs me,'' said Lloyd, adding that she thrives in those moments.
"Nothing's been handed to me. I've had to work for every single moment. You learn more in your failures than you do in your success. I try to take a positive approach through every situation I go through,'' Lloyd said.