This honor is to be given out to the young player aged 22 or less, voting runs from the 29th to the 9th, finalists to be known Nov. 11. This replaces the Rookie of the Year, I feel an error, in that it may be just that a first year pro or just a young player from the states, overseas, academy product, etc. The cut off birthdate being Dec. 31, 1997, I still wear clothes older than that.
MLS Exec. VP Player Relations and Competition Todd Durbin told, "The AT&T Young Player of the Year award reflects the commitment of MLS to develop world class players, The honor will highlight the amazing talent developed in MLS academies, which Year-after-year produce internationally coveted stars. With our clubs increasingly signing elite young international standouts and the continued quality of players in the MLS SuperDraft, there has never been more young talent to celebrate in our league."
The last part of his quote is to me why the Rookie of the Year is important. A first year pro out of an MLS Academy or the US college ranks vying for the same award as a 5 year pro from elsewhere is not an item the US player is likely to take.
All end of the year awards, there are 15 of them are voted on by Current MLS players, MLS clubs, & select media members at the local and national levels who consistently covered the 2020 MLS regular season. Somehow yet again, we missed the selection?