Heather Ann O'Reilly is an American former professional women's soccer player who played as a midfielder. She played for the United States women's national soccer team, with whom she won three Olympic
Heather O'Reilly in 2026
O'Reilly as a Tar Heel player
O'Reilly playing for Sky Blue FC, 2010
The FIFA Puskás Award is an award established on 20 October 2009 by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, at the behest of then-president Sepp Blatter, to be awarded to the player jud
Heather O'Reilly
…World Cup and in the second match of the group stage scored the first of three goals for USA against Colombia. The goal was later nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award in 2011. At the 2012 Olympics in London, she made a crucial assist in the 123rd minute of the semi-final match against Canada, sending a cross from the…
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first recipient of the award for his long-range goal for Manchester United against Porto from 40 yards out. Former Dutch international Ruud Gullit called it a "strike", while Sir Alex Ferguson — Manchester United manager at the time — said, "I would have to go a long way back in the memory bank to find another one like that!"
Zlatan Ibrahimović's 35-yard overhead kick with his back to goal won him praise from players and pundits, with the BBC describing it as a goal that "combined unfathomable imagination and expert technique".
James Rodríguez's volley was described as "one of the greatest goals the World Cup has ever seen" by Uruguayan manager Óscar Tabárez, who also called Rodríguez "the best player in the World Cup".