Major League Soccer

Christian Pulisic named USMNT Male Player of the Year; Pepi takes Young Player Award

By Wilian Estrella

This is the third time the striker has won the award. For Ricardo Pepi, it is his first award. 

This is the third time the striker has won the award. For Ricardo Pepi, it is his first award. 

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Christian Pulisic was named Male Player of the Year and Ricardo Pepi won the Young Male Player of the Year award, bringing to a close 2021 full of achievements for both players.  

Just a few days ago it was announced that on the USWNT side, the winners were Lindsey Horan as the Best Female Player of the Year, while Trinity Rodman took home the award for the Best Young Female Player of the Year

Votes are collected from coaches and staff of the men's, women's, and youth national teams.

Also voting are national team players selected during the calendar year, coaches from Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League, the United Soccer League, and the National Women's Soccer League.

The voting also takes into account the votes of some former players, administrators, and members of the media.

This is the third time in his career that Chelsea striker Pulisic has won the award. For Pepi, this is the first time he has received this type of recognition. 

2021: an unforgettable year for Pulisic

The Stars and Stripes striker has thrilled USMNT fans by scoring twice against Mexico to lead the team to the top of the CONCACAF qualifiers. 

In addition, the young Chelsea star has the full confidence of his coach, Thomas Tuchel, even though he has struggled to find the net for his team of late

However, Pulisic shone in the USMNT. The player has been the executioner of the Mexican national soccer team as his two goals gave his team the victory against El Tri in the Nations League. 

And not content with that, Pulisic scored again against Mexico in the 74th minute of the World Cup qualifiers, opening the scoring and filling his team with confidence. 

His goal was followed by Weston McKennie's and they showed the world that there is a new Giant in CONCACAF, taking the lead in the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

In addition, the player has represented his country as a starter in 42 matches and has scored a total of 17 goals for his national team. 

Meanwhile, at Chelsea, he has made 89 appearances and scored a total of 19 goals during his time with the Blues. 

2021: the year of Ricardo Pepi's consecration

The 18-year-old forward caused a sensation with his MLS team, FC Dallas, where he scored 13 goals and provided 3 assists

In addition, at 18 years and 196 days old, Pepi is the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat-trick. And not only that, but the player has also scored braces in his league. 

One against the New England Revolution on June 27 and the other against Austin FC on August 29. And his winning streak doesn't stop in MLS, it has reached the USMNT. 

The promising youngster of the US national team has become a reality. The El Paso, Texas-born player has put up impressive numbers for the senior national team. 

Pepi was called up to the U.S. National Team several times this year for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, including a goal and two assists against Honduras on Sept. 8, as well as a double assist against Jamaica on Oct. 7.  

And it is for this great year that Pepi received the highest recognition from the United States Soccer Federation. 


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