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U.S. Soccer names finalists for Athlete of the Year Awards

Donovan-Bradley (Getty)

With 2010 nearing an end, it's about the time of year when U.S. Soccer names its list for Athlete of the Year nominations.

Five players are nominated in each category, with Landon Donovan aiming to repeat after receiving the Male Athlete of the Year Award in 2009. He goes up against Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley, Steve Cherundolo and Clint Dempsey, all members of the U.S. men's national team in South Africa this past summer.

WPS and U.S. women stars comprise the Female Athlete of the Year Finalists — Abby Wambach, Amy Rodriguez and Shannon Boxx all made the list. Fans can vote for their selections here.

Here's a complete list of the nominated players:

U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Finalists
Shannon Boxx, Midfielder
Rachel Buehler, Defender
Amy LePeilbet, Defender
Amy Rodriguez, Forward
Abby Wambach, Forward

U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year Finalists
Carlos Bocanegra, Defender
Michael Bradley, Midfielder
Steve Cherundolo, Defender
Clint Dempsey, Midfielder
Landon Donovan, Midfielder

U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year Finalists
Morgan Brian, Midfielder
Crystal Dunn, Defender
Bianca Henninger, Goalkeeper
Sydney Leroux, Forward
Christen Press, Forward

U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year Finalists
Gale Agbossoumonde, Defender
Zac MacMath, Goalkeeper
Alessandro Mion, Defender
Dillon Powers, Midfielder
Andrew Souders, Defender

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Who will you vote for? Who do you want to win?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. +1 I’m with you on the underrated part. I still shake my head at the months leading up to the WC and all the people that were starting Spector over Dolo.

    Reply
  2. Honestly, what have Lichaj and Agudelo done to deserve it? 3 caps between them for the USMNT, 1 goal, 2 MLS matches for Agudelo during the regular season, and a couple EPL sub appearances at Aston Villa for Lichaj?

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  3. I’m voting for Cherundolo on the sole basis that he is the most underrated national team player we have. Guy was lights out at the WC

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  4. I want to vote for Agbossoumonde solely in the hopes that winning will help him out in his search for a club.

    I can’t believe that of all people, Fernando Clavijo is now preventing his career from developing.

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  5. Kinda hard to vote against Landon this year, especially in a World Cup Year. The guy was everywhere. Its pretty clear he has this year’s award locked up. One has to think though that in the running for next year’s award, Stu Holden has the early advantage. I know its early but he’s ballin for real over there at Bolton. I also find it interesting that in the running for young player you have Gale, but not Diskkerud or Agudelo. Even Lichaj. Anyone know the criteria on Young Player of the year. Certainly those guys should’ve been listed.

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  6. I will never vote for Abby Wambach after she ended that poor girl’s career with that horror challenge in the WPS last year. She went in completely intentionally trying to hurt her b/c she was pissed about not getting a call from the ref earlier. It was despicable.

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  7. Dempsey deserved it in 09 and Howard deserved in 08 and yet Donovan earned it and this year Donovan actually deserves it.

    3 WC goals and involved in MB’s goal and he gave an assist to Edu’s withdrawn goal. 1 heck of a year. That being said I hope he heads back to Everton on a permanent transfer.

    BTW does the award include club performance? If so, wouldn’t that go to Dempsey? He helped take Fulham to the Europa League final.

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  8. Here is all you need to know when it comes to this year’s voting:

    “Howard…gratefully claims it…Distribution, brilliant. Is it on here for the US…AND DEMPSEY’S DENIED AGAIN…AND DONVOVAN HAS SCORED! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!”

    Reply
  9. Horrendous decision to include Michael Bradley. Everyone knows Jermaine Jones, Stuart Holden and even Mo. Edu are clearly better than him and deserve to start. Just kidding.

    MB had a great year in 2010 for the US Nats. I don’t know how the other players like him, but in my opinon he was the glue guy on the team at the WC.

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  10. Based on his goal against Algeria alone (not to mention, of course, the first goal against Slovenia) it seems impossible not to give it to Landon. Tack on a great club year for both Everton and LA Galaxy and it becomes a no brainer.

    Reply

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