Photo by ISIphotos.com
As the calendar gets set to turn to 2012, it's an obvious time to reflect and look back at the year that was for U.S. Soccer.
While the year provided the ushering in of a new coaching era, a 6-8-3 international record and a breakout stage for a number of players, it also saw some of the more familiar names rise to the occasion on both the club and international levels.
Clint Dempsey exemplifies that, as he continues to get even better while playing for Fulham, and he was a standout performer for the United States during its Gold Cup run and in the subsequent friendlies as well.
Playing in a roving supporting forward/attacking midfield role, Dempsey broke the record for all-time goals in the Premier League by an American and has nine goals in all competitions for the Cottagers this season. He also found the net a U.S.-best five times in international play this year, including a decisive finish in the Gold Cup semifinal against Panama.
Then there's goalkeeper Tim Howard, who continues to be a steady anchor in the back for both Everton and the national team. His shot-stopping ability preserved results for the United States on a number of occasions in both friendlies and the Gold Cup, and it also prevented other games from getting out of hand. With a revolving crew of defenders in front of him, the 32-year-old Howard continues to be the constant presence in the back.
It wasn't a traditional dominant year for Landon Donovan, certainly not for the national team, where his absences were more notable than most of his performances save for his goal against Mexico in the Gold Cup final.
Even so, the MLS Cup MVP played through various injuries to score 12 goals this season and lead the Galaxy to the promised land, and he is headed back to the Premier League for two months to try and reprise his role as Everton savior. Five months into Jurgen Klinsmann's tenure as head coach, we still have yet to see how Donovan and Dempsey work together under the new system, and all eyes will be on that dynamic going forward.
For Jozy Altidore, 2011 presented a year of opportunity. Finally receiving consistent time as a starter for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, Altidore's game has improved, and he has become a valuable scoring threat on the club level, where he has managed nine goals in all competitions this season.
He's still not scoring at a prolific rate for the national team, though he tallied three times in 2011 including a cracker of a finish against Guadeloupe in the Gold Cup. His improved touch and finishing accuracy has left the door open for a big 2012.
As for Michael Bradley, his place in the national team's starting lineup is no longer a given, but there's no questioning his continued productivity and growth. Playing in his fourth major European league at age 24, Bradley has become a fixture on the right for Chievo Verona in Serie A, helping the team to a mid-table standing.
He also managed to score his third-career goal against Mexico, giving the United States an early lead in the Gold Cup final. All of that combined with his play in recent U.S. friendlies lends reason to believe he'll be back in the starting XI when the U.S. games start to matter again in the coming months.
With all that being said, who gets your vote for American Player of the Year? Cast your vote here:
—————–
How did you vote? Who is your American Player of the Year? Anybody not listed in the poll that you think is a deserving winner?
Share your thoughts below.
DEMPSEY, Friedel, Rossi, Howard, Altidore, Kljestan, Bradley, Bocanegra and so on
the most important question is what to do about Cherundolo? He’s lost his EDGE in the past 6 months for club and country. And is Gooch finally back to form?
Lay off fischy, he has a valid argument. Whether or not you like Rossi does not negate the fact that he is an American citizen. The question is “Who is your AMERICAN Player of the Year,” not “Who is your USMNT Player of the Year.”
I think your argument is valid, Fischy. Rossi essentially equaled Dempsey’s tally on the year while also missing two full months of European and Domestic matches.
My answer is either Rossi or Friedel who is rated as the top goalkeeper in the EPL as it stands.
Favorite American Player
Tie
Tim Chandler
Fabian Johnson
New pole should be; Is Fischy an idiot? I say no BUT it’s fairly clear the pole refers to US national team players. This isn’t too different from SBI Americans Abroad series that details Americans that do or would qualify for USMNT. Ives doesn’t follow Rossi because he plays for Italy.
What is the point of this question; its not even close. A better question would be who is the American player of the year between Clint and Abbey.
And for that matter where are Rossi and Jermaine Jones?
Why are Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore on this list over Brad Friedel, the starting goalkeeper for Tottenham.
I totally agree! I vote Wambach with Deuce 2nd.
+1
I think you’re missing the point.
People have a ton of respect for what Deuce has done in the Premiere League.
I’d agree with you that Donovan has done more for the national team.
But the love fest is well earned in my opinion.
Deuce is (arguably) top dog for a decent Premiere League team.
Donovan is (arguably) second banana on an MLS team which probably ranks somewhere between 9 and 15 as far as leagues go. But kudos to him for winning the darned thing.
But all this is petty squabbling.
We are terribly lucky to have these guys as regular starters for our team.
It’s a huge bonus to have midfielders who are such consistent goal scoring threats.
They also complement each other and the team terribly well.
Donovan is the yang to Deuce’s yin!
I’ll grant you that EPL is tougher than La Liga, but it’s close. His La Liga goals include a brace against Valencia, a goal against Atletico, and goals in two different games against Sevilla — teams that are definitely better than most of the teams in England. Plus, as I’ve mentioned below, he tallied in Europa against Leverkusen, Porto, Napoli and Twente — all teams that could do pretty well in the EPL. The kid can score — plain and simple. At least, he could before the injury. We’ll have to see how he recovers.
where is Friedel on this poll? i would swap Baby Bradley for Friedel easy.
still, Dempsey wins no doubt.
had a better year than MB90 for sure. Deuce is the obvious answer, but seeing Shea, Friedel, Wambach etc out of the poll is a real headscratcher.
Actually why aren’t Hope Solo or Abby Wambach on this list? I still think Deuce beats them both for the top spot, but they absolutely deserve to be in the conversation.
I was thinking of all of 2011, not just the last four months..two of which Rossi missed because of an ACL tear.
2011 —
Rossi has 16 club team goals and 3 goals for Italy
Dempsey has 16 club team goals and five for the USA.
It’s awfully close. Clint’s in the picture, but I don’t think he’s a clear-cut choice over Rossi.
The deuce love-fest is baffling.
The only thing he does better than Donovan is protect the ball at his feet. More than half the time, he holds it too long.
He may be doing good things with Fulham, and kudos to him for taking on the BPL challenge, but compared to Donovan, he has done jack-all with the MNT.
He plays hard, but it’s always about Clint, not the team. USMNT team chemistry droops when he’s on the pitch.
Calling Clint the best all time US player, based on what he’s done for the MNT, is a joke.
Even if he’s not better than Deuce, he’s had a better year than most others on the list. Bradley? Really?
Brek Shea
Dempsey, Howard, or Friedel for me.
he’s still one of the best american’s ever to play the game. Which is what makes it hurt so much.
Rossi — Here’s his numbers over the last 12 months: 16 goals for Villareal and 3 for Italy.
Dempsey: 16 goals for Fulham and 5 for the USA.
Awfully similar numbers — and, of course, Rossi has been out for two months, when he surely would have seriously padded his La Liga total, and maybe scored for his club in Europe, too.
As for the competition they’ve faced — Clint’s USA goals came against Canada, Jamaica, Panama, Honduras and Slovenia. His club goals include 3 goals in the Europa League, not against the best competition. Rossi’s goals include goals against Germany, Ukraine and Estonia. His club goals include 2 Champions League goals and Europa goals against the likes of Leverkusen, Porto, Napoli and Twente. If you’re focusing on Clint’s national team goals and appearances, is 5 goals with all his appearances for the USA more impressive than Rossi’s 3 goals in much more limited work with Italy?
The question was not who was the best player this year among people who wore the USA uniform. It was who was the best American player. Rossi is very American, even if he’s decided to play for Italy. His 2011 numbers stack up pretty well against Dempsey’s, even considering that Rossi has missed the last 2 months. You may disagree, but if you say I’m stupid for making the claim, then you’re the stupid one.
My order would be Deuce, Friedel, Landycakes. All three have done great things this year, but Clint is the great American hope for his team- he’s smashing records as well. Bad year for country great year for club.. Here’s looking to next year!
That’s what I’m saying!
Fischy, Rossi had a total 9 games/3 goals this 2011/2012 season and his team is fourth from the bottom in La Liga. Villareal has not been the same team since Santi Carzola left. You must be thinking about Rossi’s last season, when he and Villareal really did well.
Eh… the guy has a point.
Just because the guy chose to play for Italy, he was born and (at least partially) raised American.
I also wish he had chosen to play for the US, but it’s spilled milk at this point.
Nevertheless, it is still a positive that someone with his technical ability is basically American.
Rossi never ONCE played for a USA youth team, therefore, for me he can NEVER be called a traitor.
Rather than jumping on Rossi, why not praise his father for coming to this country and providing excellent soccer coaching at the high school level.
If you are from an urban area in the US, I think we ALL know at least someone who feels a strong sense kinship with the country of his parents. He probably grew up dreaming of playing for Italy. Why should we deride him for fulfilling his dream?
Of course, if I were part of the US Soccer Federation I would be singing a decidedly different tune.
poll results suggest we can all move on. Fluff!
Wheres the Brad Friedel keeping it beast mode at 40 option?
I don’t think LD had a great MLS season, if anyone had a hand in wining the MLS, it had to be beckham.
LD has been very inconsistant to be the best for 2011, I think Dempsey had a better year.
JOB, duh.
I don’t always vote for American player of the year but, when I do I prefer to keep it nepotistic and vote for my son Michael Bradley. I can’t believe this is even a discussion.
Dempsey of course! He’s the greatest Texan since Stan Hansen. (of course his lariat isn’t as good…)
Dempsey easily is the best American this year. If Donovan would stay in Europe, we could finally put the debate on who is better at rest. However, Donovan is too attached to Sunny SoCal to live 6,000 miles away from home in gray-skied Europe. (For what it’s worth, Donovan is the better player, but Dempsey had a better 2011).
So is your mom
You have no idea what your talking about…seriously.. dont comment anymore, you just come off as stupid.
OK I’ll bite. Deuce, Friedel, Donovan, Howard, Chandler, Bradley, Kljeistan, Altidore.
Landon is still in the running on the women’s side
TIMMY!!! for his awesome StateFarm ads.
Yea Dempsey is the best American this year by far.
Jozy Altidore sucks!
Ives compared Donovan’s and Bradley’s wonderful goals against Mexico in a final with his goal against Guadaloupe! Really?!
Clint!
dude f*ck rossi. he’s a damn traitor why you defending him
I usually despise when people say “There is no other choice but _______.” It’s a ploy to shut down debate. But I truly cannot see an argument made for anyone else over Clint Dempsey. A truly banner year, in my view.
Props to you for making an effort to argue a case for everyone else….but it’s really not close. Dempsey.
Given the landslide victory for Duece, the better question might be who should finish second. I’d go:
Deuce, Jr, Howard, Landycakes, and Altidore.
Obviously some great choices. For me it has to be Donovan. Won the reg. season, won the MLS, still could win CONCACAF.
It makes it a very tough comparison when I give credit for the team winning and Dempsey has no chance of that.
You misread Ives question. He asked for an American player.
Who else but Deuce? In totality, he is IMO the most important player for Fulham (i can also see an argument for Hangeland but Deuce scores the goals that gets the club vital points) and produces consistently for the Nats.
Landslide
Look at their goal scoring stats alone and I’m not sure you can say that, especially considering Dempsey plays in a tougher league and is a midfielder. Demps has also been getting the job done for his national team twice as long as Rossi has.
This shouldn’t eve be close — Deuce all the way. And Fischy, you are an idiot.
Deuce!
Ok — he’s been down for 2 months because of the ACL tear, but Rossi still had a better year than Dempsey. And, he is an American.