BIOSTEEL MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
All six male nominees made significant contributions in a milestone year for the USMNT that featured a record-tying 16 victories, two continental titles won against archrival Mexico and a strong position through eight games of World Cup qualifying.
Aaronson was one of the team’s most consistently productive players in 2021, with his four goals and three assists leading all USMNT players in goal contributions. Both previous winners of the award, Pulisic and McKennie delivered in a big way in two crucial matches against Mexico this year, with McKennie netting a late equalizer and Pulisic scoring the unforgettable game-winning penalty in the Concacaf Nations League Final, while the pair combined for two goals in a 2-0 “Dos a Cero” victory against El Tri in Cincinnati this November.
On the club side, Pulisic also became the first U.S. man to play in and win the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea this spring. Turner and Robinson enjoyed breakout campaigns with the USMNT, leading the team to the 2021 Gold Cup championship.
Turner won the Golden Glove as the competition’s best goalkeeper while Robinson headed in the overtime game-winning goal vs. Mexico in the tournament final. Together, the pair played every minute of the Gold Cup’s six games while allowing just one goal.
After some time away from the National Team, Acosta continued a renaissance of his international career in 2021 as one of three players to lift both of the USMNT’s summer trophies and playing in 20 overall matches – the most by a USMNT player in a calendar year since Landon Donovan in 2002.
McKennie won the award last year, while Pulisic became the youngest player to earn the honor at just 18 years old in 2017 before winning again in 2019. Aaronson, Acosta, Robinson and Turner each earned their first nominations for the award this year.
The U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year has been awarded since 1984 when Rick Davis won it. Current U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Earnie Stewart won it in 2001. Landon Donovan holds the record for most awards, winning it four times, while Clint Dempsey won it on three occasions.
