Christian Pulisic was named the 2023 U.S. Male Player of the Year marking the fourth time in his career that he’s been honored with the award. Landon Donovan is the only other player who has won four times.
The 25-year-old forward had one of his best years with the national team and is experiencing some incredible form with his new club AC Milan.
Pulisic won in a landslide receiving 53% of the vote. The other candidates for the award were Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun and Matt Turner.
Coach Beard — actor Brendan Hunt — was the one to break the news to Pulisic that he’d won the award.
Christian Pulisic Player of the Year 2023
For the fourth time, @pulisic is the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year
Full Release » https://t.co/7lGH93iaDz pic.twitter.com/Wkqi56WmSR— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) January 18, 2024
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Pulisic led the USMNT in goal contributions (six goals + three assists) and finished the calendar year with eight appearances. His brace vs. Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal and a screamer against Germany were some of his finest moments in a USMNT kit from 2023.
The best of @pulisic in 2023 pic.twitter.com/goKFJVxGyZ
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) January 18, 2024
This is the fourth time “Captain America” has won the award with his other wins coming in 2017, 2019 and 2021. Tyler Adams won the award in 2022.
“If you’re joining Landon on anything regarding the national team, you’re doing something right,” Pulisic said in a statement from U.S. Soccer. “He’s a legend. I looked up to him, so I’m grateful to be in that conversation. I’m hoping to continue to push, and hopefully it will not be the last.”