Pulisic, ‘Triple Espresso’ headline U.S. POTY noms

U.S. Soccer Announces 2024 End-of-Year Awards: Pulisic, ‘Triple Espresso’ Shine

The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) has officially unveiled its highly anticipated end-of-year awards for 2024, and this year’s lineup is packed with star power, historic firsts, and fan-favorite moments. From the Player of the Year honors to the newly introduced Referee of the Year awards, the USSF is celebrating the best of the best in American soccer. Let’s dive into the details and see who’s in the running for these prestigious accolades.

Referees Get Their Moment in the Spotlight

For the first time ever, the USSF has included Male and Female Referee of the Year awards in its year-end honors. This move highlights the critical role referees play in the game and gives them the recognition they deserve. The nominees for Male Referee of the Year include Kyle Atkins, Guido Gonzalez Jr., Corey Parker, Ismir Pekmic, and Armando Villarreal. On the women’s side, Brooke Mayo, Kathryn Nesbitt, Alyssa Nichols, Tori Penso, and Natalie Simon are in contention for the Female Referee of the Year award.

Female Player of the Year: The ‘Triple Espresso’ Attack Leads the Pack

The Female Player of the Year nominees are a who’s who of U.S. women’s soccer, and fans will be thrilled to see the entire “Triple Espresso” attack in the mix. Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith, and Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson are all in the running. Joining them are last year’s winner, San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma, and Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

All five nominees were instrumental in the U.S. Women’s National Team’s (USWNT) gold medal-winning campaign at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. With such a stacked field, this year’s Female Player of the Year race is bound to be a nail-biter.

Male Player of the Year: Pulisic Eyes History

On the men’s side, the Male Player of the Year nominees are headlined by none other than Christian Pulisic. The AC Milan star is already a four-time winner of this award, and another victory would see him break the record he currently shares with U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan. But Pulisic faces stiff competition from AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun, PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi, Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream, and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson.

Fans will play a role in deciding the winner, contributing 15% of the vote. The remaining votes will come from national team players, coaches, media, and other stakeholders. Voting opens on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 9 a.m. CT and closes on Friday, Dec. 13, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Fans can cast their votes online at ussoccer.com.

Young Stars on the Rise

The Young Female Player of the Year nominees showcase the future of U.S. women’s soccer. The list includes University of North Carolina defender Trinity Armstrong, Seattle Reign defender Jordyn Bugg, Angel City FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller, Kansas City Current midfielder Claire Hutton, and Utah Royals forward Ally Sentnor.

On the men’s side, the Young Male Player of the Year nominees are Venezia midfielder Gianluca Busio, Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann, San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Niko Tsakiris, Borussia Dortmund forward Mathis Albert, and Philadelphia Union forward David Vazquez. These rising stars are already making waves and could be the next big names in U.S. soccer.

Game of the Year: Reliving Iconic Moments

Five unforgettable matches are in the running for the second annual Game of the Year award:

• The USWNT’s 1-0 victory against Brazil to clinch its record fifth Olympic gold medal.
• The USWNT’s 4-1 win against Germany in the Olympic group stage.
• The USMNT’s 2-0 “Dos a Cero” triumph over Mexico to claim its third-straight Concacaf Nations League title.
• The U.S. Women’s Deaf National Team’s dominant 11-0 win against Australia in a June friendly.
• The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, where LAFC secured a 3-1 victory in extra time over Sporting Kansas City.

Each of these matches represents a significant moment in U.S. soccer history, and fans will undoubtedly have strong opinions about which one deserves the top honor.

What’s Next?

The winners of all categories will be announced in January 2025, so mark your calendars. With so many incredible players, matches, and moments to choose from, this year’s awards are shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Don’t forget to cast your vote and make your voice heard!