Christian Pulisic, Lindsey Horan and Yunus Musah were among 15 finalists nominated for three different U.S. Soccer awards on Monday.
Joining Pulisic and Musah on the list for the Male Player of the Year are Matt Turner, Ricardo Pepi, and Folarin Balogun. All five players made respective moves at club level last summer and remain key pieces of Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT squad heading into 2024.
The 25-year-old Pulisic scored six goals and added three assists for the USMNT this year, which featured goals against Mexico and Germany. At club level, Pulisic has tallied five goals and three assists for AC Milan, featuring in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League.
Musah has earned 33 USMNT caps to date, which are the most-ever for a player before their 21st birthday. He earned CONCACAF Nations League Best XI honors last summer after helping the Americans repeat as tournament winners. He joined Pulisic in the AC Milan squad as well.
Balogun burst onto the USMNT scene this past summer after committing his future to the program. The 22-year-old has scored three goals and added two assists on the international level, while also making a permanent move to Ligue 1 side Monaco. He has totaled four goals and three assists so far this club season.
Pepi enjoyed a positive year with the USMNT, totaling seven goals in his 10 appearances, with five coming off the bench. The 20-year-old also made a move to Eredivisie giant PSV this summer and since has become a key contributor off the bench.
Turner made 13 appearances for the USMNT this year, logging seven clean sheets. He earned Best Goalkeeper honors of the CONCACAF Nations League for the second time. Turner also made a club move this summer, moving from Arsenal to Nottingham Forest. He has since made 12 appearances for the historic club.
Lindsey Horan, Sophia Smith headline Female Player of the Year finalists
A total of five U.S. women’s national team players are up for the annual Female Player of the Year award with captain Lindsey Horan and talented forward Sophia Smith among the finalists.
Horan captained the USWNT at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. Overall, in 2023, Horan led the USWNT in starts (17) and minutes played (1,478), scoring five goals and adding one assist. At club level, Horan moved to French giants Lyon and led the club to a domestic double.
Smith is seeking her second Female Player of the Year honors after a breakout 2022 year. The 22-year-old became the youngest player to net a brace in her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut. In NWSL play, Smith won the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer (11 goals) and also earned Best XI honors.
Crystal Dunn is also up for the award after starting 14 USWNT matches in 2023. At club level, the veteran full back made 19 appearances and scored five goals, her most in league play since 2019.
Emily Fox earned her first Player of the Year nomination for club and country. She finished the year with the second-most minutes played while also scoring her first senior international goal. Fox helped the North Carolina Courage win the NWSL Challenge Cup and finish third in the regular season standings.
The 2020 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, Girma put together an impressive year. She played every minute at the Women’s World Cup as the USWNT conceded only one goal in four matches. With San Diego Wave FC, Girma helped the club win the 2023 NWSL Shield as she won NWSL Defender of the Year honors for the second-consecutive year.
The nominees for the U.S. Young Male and Female Player of the Year awards have also been announced. Here are a list of the five nominees for each award:
Young Male Player of the Year
- Jack McGlynn, Nimfasha Berchimas, Kevin Paredes, Gianluca Busio, Benjamin Cremaschi.
Young Female Player of the Year
- Onyeka Gamero, Savannah King, Olivia Moultrie, Alyssa Thompson, Ally Sentnor.