CHICAGO (Dec. 12, 2019) – For his excellence at the highest level of the sport, U.S. Soccer announced forward Christian Pulisic as the 2019 Male Player of the Year. Already the youngest to earn the honor when he first won in 2017, Pulisic also becomes the youngest to win the award for a second time (21 years, 85 days), besting Landon Donovan (22 years, 293 days) when he won in 2004.
One of 25 different players to win the award since it first began in 1984, Pulisic also becomes the seventh player to earn the honor more than once, following Donovan (four); Clint Dempsey and Kasey Keller (three); Jozy Altidore, Marcelo Balboa and Tim Howard (two).
“I am honored to be selected to receive the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award,” Pulisic said. “All of the nominees have had amazing seasons and would be worthy winners. This was a big transition year both with the National Team and my club. My teammates are fantastic and I’m proud of the progress we have made. I want to say thanks to my family for all their support, and to our fans who are incredible. We appreciate how much they have stood behind us. Things are only going to continue to get better, and I’m excited for the future."
The voting margins for the Male Player of the Year award were very close, with Pulisic receiving 38 percent of the tabulated votes, closely followed by Jordan Morris (35 percent). Weston McKennie rounded out the top three with 13 percent.
Votes for U.S. Soccer Player of the Year awards were collected from respective National Team coaches, National Team players who have earned a cap in 2019, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council, National Women’s Soccer League head coaches for the USWNT and American soccer league (MLS and USL) head coaches for the USMNT, select media members and former players and administrators.
