Ellis have been named Women's Player of the Year and
Coach of the Year at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich.
The 33-year-old inspired the USWNT to a 5-2 thrashing of
Japan in the Women's World Cup final last year, thanks to a
13-minute hat-trick, the team's third title.
Lloyd scored 10 international goals during the calendar year
as she earned the Golden Ball in Canada and finished
second to Ballon d'Or rival Celia Sasic to the Golden Boot,
but triumphed on Monday.
"This has been a dream of mine ever since I started my
journey with the national team," an emotional Lloyd said.
"Celia and Aya [Miyama, fellow nominees] are phenomenal
footballers and just as deserving of this award.
"I want to thank everyone who voted for me and everyone at
US Soccer for their support. I want to thank Jill and the
coaching staff.
"I honestly wouldn't be standing up here without my
incredible team-mates and we all know that it took 23
players to win the World Cup last summer, so thank you to
them.
"To James, we started this journey 13 years ago and you
told me I could become the best player in the world... it's
just took me until now to realise I could."
Ellis took charge of the USA national team in 2014 on a full-
time basis in 2014, after two previous interim spells, and led
the squad to their third Women's World Cup win in Canada
last year.
Carli Lloyd scored a 13-minute hat-trick as Japan were
beaten 5-2 in the final, adding their winners' medal to those
won at the Algarve Cup earlier in 2015, where they beat
France in the showpiece.
"Wow, a true honour," Ellis said. "First let me congratulate all
the nominees here this evening. It's such a thrill to be part
of such an amazing football family.
"To Mark [Sampson, England coach] and Norio [Sasaki,
Japan coach], thanks for making it hard and thank you for
continuing to elevate the game and leaders in women's
football.
"This certainly represents a whole lot of people so, certainly,
to my players, our captions, the staff back in the US right
now, it's my sincere gratitude for your commitment and your
effort and belief in this team.I really, truly believe this is a
team award.
"To my friends and family, my dad was my first coach so it's
great to have him in the crowd tonight."
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