Pepi, USSF Young Player of the Year

RICARDO PEPI VOTED 2021 CHIPOTLE U.S. SOCCER YOUNG MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Pepi Broke Out for USMNT During World Cup Qualifying and in MLS

CHICAGO (Dec. 18, 2021) – 

USMNT forward Ricardo Pepi was voted Chipotle U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year after a massive breakout year for the USMNT during the start of its World Cup qualifying campaign this fall and at the club level with FC Dallas. The 2021 MLS Young Player of the Year sparked a historic 4-1 comeback victory for the U.S. in his debut at Honduras, netting three goals while adding three assists in six World Cup qualifying appearances this year.

For the first time, fans were able to vote for the U.S. Soccer Player and Young Player of the Year Awards, with those votes weighted at 15 percent of the total. Of the six finalists for the Male Player of the Year Award, Pulisic took 31 percent of the overall total, followed by Matt Turner (21 percent) and Brenden Aaronson (15 percent).

Pepi earned 60 percent of the overall vote for Young Male Player of the Year. Midfielder Yunus Musah was second (23 percent) and Gianluca Busio was third (11 percent).

Votes for U.S. Soccer Male and Young Male Player of the Year Awards are collected from respective National Team coaches, National Team players who have earned a cap in 2021, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council, professional league (MLS and USL) head coaches, select media members and former players and administrators.

At just 18 years old, Pepi turned in one of the most memorable USMNT debuts in recent memory during September World Cup qualifying, catalyzing a comeback win in the hostile environs of San Pedro Sula against Honduras in the final match of the window. In the second half, “El Tren” teed up the game-tying goal, scored the game-winner, added another assist and took a hard shot to set up a fourth and final tally for the 4-1 win and a crucial three points.

Pepi continued his hot streak in the October international window, bagging a brace in the USA’s 2-0 win against Jamaica in Austin. The El Paso, Texas, native has played in every qualifier since his U.S. debut.

The forward also took the next step at the club level, finishing the MLS season as the league’s leading American scorer with 13 goals. He also became the youngest player in MLS history to net a hat trick, accomplishing the feat on July 24 against LA Galaxy.

Pepi was selected to this summer’s MLS All-Star Game, scoring the game-winning penalty in a shootout against the Liga MX All-Stars. After mostly serving as a super-sub in 2020, he made a career-high 24 starts in 31 appearances for FCD this season, solidifying himself as the club’s first-choice scoring threat.

A total of 23 of the 24 U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year winners have earned caps with the full USMNT, and 10 have gone on to represent the USA at a FIFA World Cup.

PREVIOUS WINNERS