MIAMI: Costa Rica’s World Cup goalkeeper Keylor Navas and United States women’s team striker Abby Wambach were named CONCACAF’s Players of the Year for 2014 on Tuesday.
The governing body for the sport in North and Central America and the Caribbean also named Jorge Luis Pinto Coach of the Year after he led Costa Rica to the last eight at the World Cup for the first time.
Navas, 28, produced some outstanding displays for Costa Rica in the World Cup with three clean sheets from five matches and winning three Man of the Match Awards.
Following the World Cup, Navas completed a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Wambach, the 34-year-old striker, who has scored more goals in international football than any male or female with 177 in 228 games, had another fine season including scoring four goals in the final of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in 2014 in which the United States beat Costa Rica 6-0.
Pinto was rewarded for Costa Rica’s memorable World Cup campaign where they finished top of their group ahead of Uruguay, Italy and England and then beat Greece on penalties before losing to the Netherlands in a shootout after a goalless draw.
Pinto became head coach of the Honduran national team earlier this month.
United States and Everton keeper Tim Howard won CONCACAF Goalkeeper of the year for the second year while Costa Rica’s Bryan Ruiz’s strike against Italy in the World Cup was voted Goal of the Year.
American Mark Geiger was voted Referee of the Year.
The awards are voted on by three constituencies — national team coaches and captains, media and fans.
Navas, Wambach win CONCACAF Players of Year awards
Navas, Wambach win CONCACAF Players of Year awards
Strong international field joins Fleetwood and McIlroy at Dubai Invitational
- Former Masters champions Danny Willett and Patrick Reed will make their tournament debuts at Dubai Creek Club from Jan. 15-18
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UBAI: With just a week to go until the Dubai Invitational, defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and five-time Major champion Rory McIlroy are set to be joined by a world-class field of Major Champions, Ryder Cup stars and DP World Tour winners.
Former Masters champions Danny Willett and Patrick Reed will both make their tournament debuts when the opening event of the Race to Dubai’s International Swing tees off at Dubai Creek Resort. The event runs from Jan. 15-18.
Reed claimed his Major breakthrough at the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National, while Willett secured his Green Jacket two years earlier in 2016.
Three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington adds further pedigree to the field. The Irishman won consecutive Open Championships in 2007 and 2008 before claiming the 2008 PGA Championship.
Dubai resident Paul Waring will make just his second start since July following his return from injury. The Englishman, who won the 2024 Abu Dhabi Championship, will be eager to impress on home soil as he continues his comeback.
2023 DP World Tour Championship winner Nicolai Hojgaard is also confirmed, along with a plethora of DP World Tour winners including Matteo Manassero, Tom McKibbin, David Puig, Dubai-based Thorbjorn Olesen, Matt Wallace, Eugenio Chacarra, Niklas Norgaard and the UAE’s own Adrian Otaegui.
They join previously announced stars including former Open Champions Shane Lowry and Francesco Molinari, as well as Ryan Fox and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
Away from the on-course action, the tournament will feature a range of food and entertainment options in the Championship Village, while the Chipping Challenge offers visitors the chance to show off their precision and technique.
The Dubai Invitational is played concurrently with a three-day Pro-Am team event, with Sunday featuring professionals only. The bi-annual event consists of 60 professional DP World Tour golfers and 60 amateur golfers. General admission is free of charge.
