New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga continued his impressive year by being named 2015 U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year, announced on Friday.
The 20-year-old, in his third professional season in 2015, played in the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand this summer as well as the Olympic qualifying tournament with the U-23 national team. He also made his full senior team debut this year, earning his first cap in World Cup qualifying against St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
In addition to his duties for his country, Miazga became a fixture on the Red Bulls' backline and became one of the rising young stars in MLS.
U.S. Soccer also announced midfielder Mallory Pugh was named Young Female Player of the Year, and Kevin Hensley was named Young Disabled Player of the Year.
A new voting process was put into place last year. Votes are collected from respective national team coaches, national team players who have earned a cap in 2015, American soccer league (MLS, NASL and NWSL) head coaches, select media members, former players and administrators. Players cannot win the Young Male or Young Female award more than once.
