New York Red Bulls defender Aaron Long, Seattle Sounders winger Jordan Morris and Columbus Crew SC striker Gyasi Zardes are among the nominees for the 2019 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, US Soccer announced Tuesday.
They join the European-based trio of defender Tim Ream (Fulham) and midfielders Weston McKennie (Schalke) and Cristian Pulisic (Chelsea) for the award, which will be voted on by national team coaches, players who earned a cap in 2019, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council, MLS and USL coaches, select media members and former players and administrators.
Then 18-year-old Pulisic was the youngest to award, which has been awarded annually since 1984, when he did so in 2017. MLS legend Landon Donovan holds the record for winning it four times.
Julie Ertz, Rose Lavelle, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Alyssa Naeher and Megan Rapinoe, all key members of the World Cup-winning US women’s national team, are up for the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Abby Wambach holds the record by winning the award, awarded annually since 1985, six times.
Voting starts Tuesday and closes on Dec. 6 at 11:59 pm ET. Winners will be announced during the second week of December.
