Antonee Robinson voted Men’s Player of the Year by US Soccer!

United States National Team (USMNT) and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson has been named the 2024 United States Men’s Soccer Player of the Year.

The 27-year-old is recognized for a remarkable year of service to his country, winning 55% of the weighted votes.

Robinson started 11 games for the USMNT in 2024, including all four games where the team had clean sheets. He also provided the decisive assist in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals against Jamaica in November.

The award is voted on by fans, but votes also come from national team coaches, USMNT players, US Football Board of Directors, US Football Athlete Council , coaches and sports directors from professional leagues, as well as selected media and former players and administrators.

Since its creation in 1984, 27 players have won this award. Robinson thus becomes the first defender to have won it since Oguchi Onyewu in 2006.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Robinson said. “Representing our country is not something we do for personal accolades. »

“It’s always about putting the team first and giving my best for my teammates and the country. Being rewarded for this is an incredible feeling. »

Robinson has become one of the best left-backs in the Premier League with Fulham, and was named the club’s Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season.

He has recorded 10 assists in 37 matches played, surpassing any other defender in England’s top flight.

Robinson moved ahead of 2023 winner Christian Pulisic, as well as Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Tim Ream on the list of candidates for the US Football award.

What has Robinson done in 2024?

Simply put, he has joined the highest tier of left-backs in the world. While it would not be fair to view 2024 as a breakout year for the Fulham defender, it was nevertheless a year that cemented his importance to both club and country. The 27-year-old has been a consistent starter for both teams, even wearing the captain’s armband for the London club on several occasions following the departure of compatriot Tim Ream to Charlotte FC in the summer. Over the past eighteen months, he has become the best left-back in the Premier League.

He was also one of the few USMNT players whose prestige was not damaged during the Copa America, with the team’s shocking group stage elimination having little to do with his performance. .

He may not have the same blistering speed as his CONCACAF rival Alphonso Davies, but Robinson is among the Premier League’s best defenders when it comes to defensive returns. Furthermore, he leads all defenders with seven assists, an impressive return for the 25 scoring chances he has generated.

Added to this is savvy one-on-one defensive play, a solid tackle success rate and a high share of Fulham’s touches, making Robinson a deserving winner of this award. While another American in Europe may have had more high-profile moments, Robinson has rarely had a disappointing day in 2024.

What’s the surprise?

It is rare for US Football to award this honor to a defender. Robinson’s victory ends an 18-year drought for the category, a period during which the awards were dominated by program legends like Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and Pulisic. Part of this is understandable — good work in front of the opponent’s goal always attracts admirers, just as an excellent goalkeeper has an equally strong impact. Rewarding a defender — or a dual-purpose midfielder like Weston McKennie (winner in 2020) or Tyler Adams (2022) — highlights the importance of having an impact at all levels of play rather than just offensive statistics .

What makes this victory somewhat surprising is the fact that Robinson triumphed against Pulisic. While the AC Milan striker already has four US Football Player of the Year honors (won in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023), it is fair to argue that he has never had a calendar year as successful as 2024. Pulisic took the leadership role at Milan after being brought in to assist Rafael Leao, becoming one of the shooters and most prolific opportunity creators in Europe all year round. Additionally, his opening goal at the Copa America was one of the few bright spots in the team’s brief campaign.

Regardless, Pulisic’s already established track record suggests he is well on course to win the accolade once again in 2025.

The timing is particularly favorable for Robinson, who is already a highly sought-after player on the transfer market, notably thanks to his remarkable performances in December against Arsenal and Liverpool. The fact that he won this award against Pulisic in a true two-legged race further heightens the excitement around this player from Milton Keynes.

(Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)