U.S. women's national soccer team named Philadelphia Sports Writers' Association team of the year

Here's a bit of good news to brighten one of the rare quiet periods in the American soccer calendar.

The U.S. women's national soccer team has been named the Team of the Year by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association. It's an organization with a lot of history in this region, going all the way back to its founding in 1904.

Carli Lloyd will accept the award on behalf of the team at the PSWA's annual dinner later this month.

Here's the official announcement from the PSWA, including details on how to get tickets to the dinner.

The 2012 U.S. Women's National Team, which captured the Olympic gold medal in London this past summer by beating Japan 2-1, has been named the 2012 Team of the Year, it was announced by PSWA President Ron Corbin. Midfielder Carli Lloyd, who scored both goals in the climatic game, will accept the award at the PSWA's 109th annual dinner, taking place January 28th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, NJ. Tickets are still available. 

The U.S. Women's National Team, by beating Japan, won its third straight Olympic gold, and fought its way to the gold medal game with a comeback victory over France and a narrow win over Canada in a thriller. In the semifinal match against Canada, the U.S. trailed three times before Alex Morgan's header in extra time lifted the team to a 4-3 victory.

The London Olympics marked the first time the U.S. Women's National Team won every game en route to the gold medal and set an Olympic women's team record of 16 goals scored. The gold medal game was seen by over 80,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium, an Olympic record for women's soccer and the largest crowd the team has played in front of outside of the United States. 

Carli Lloyd, a Delran native, will be joined by a distinguished group of honorees, including Phillies great Larry Bowa (Living Legend); Sixers legend Bobby Jones (accepting a special achievement award honoring the 1983 NBA Champion 76ers); AL Rookie of the Year Mike Trout (Pro Athlete of the Year); Phillies ace Cole Hamels and wife Heidi (Humanitarian of the Year); University of Delaware basketball star Elena Della Donne (Outstanding Amateur Athlete) and Ed Snider, chairman of the Flyers' parent company, Comcast-Spectacor, who will receive a lifetime achievement award for his humanitarian work.

Other prestigious awards at the dinner, including Native Son, and Good Guy Athlete, among others, will be announced soon, as will a couple of memorable surprise presentations and some "Special Achievement" awards. The most coveted award - Most Courageous - is kept secret until the night of the dinner, the oldest continuing sports awards banquet in the nation.

Tickets for the dinner at $95 apiece are available online at www.PSWA.org, or by sending a check payable to PSWA, c/o Robbie Kenney, Ticket Chairman, 110 Harrogate Drive., Lumberton, NJ 08048. Fans can also friend PSWA on Facebook. Doors to the banquet open at 5 P.M. with the dinner starting promptly at 6:30 P.M.