U.S. Soccer announced the five nominees for 2025 male player of the year including breakout stars like Malik Tillman and Alex Freeman.
The U.S. men’s national team found its footing toward the end of the year under Mauricio Pochettino after a disappointing start. A tactical change in formation has paid dividends in more ways than one. Not only are the Stars and Stripes undefeated in their last five international friendlies—headlined by a 5–1 rout of Uruguay to close out November—but there have been a number of players to emerge as real contributors ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A wave of absences from the Concacaf Gold Cup opened the door for competition and five players rose to the occasion.
Subsequently, those five are also nominated for male player of the year.
