Tyler Adams blew away the competition in being voted 2022’s US Soccer Male Player of the Year, after captaining his national team to the Round of 16 in last year’s FIFA World Cup held in Qatar.
The 23-year-old New York native played every minute in the World Cup as the USA bowed out to the Netherlands.
Adams picked up 71.6% of the votes and easily beat out second place Christian Pulisic, who won the award on three occasions – in 2017, 2019 and last year. Arsenal’s Matt Turner finished third with 8.2% of the vote.
The midfielder had a very impressive year outside of the national side as well, helping RB Leipzig win the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) and also to a UEFA Europa League Semi-Final appearance where they fell to Glasgow Rangers.
Adams later joined Premier League side Leeds United, where he currently plays under American head coach Jesse Marsch.
“Receiving this type of recognition is certainly special, but for me, the team’s success is the most important thing,” Adams said. “Having the experience of going to the World Cup, performing well as a group and moving the sport forward in the United States was super important to me this year, and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates.”
With the upcoming January friendlies taking place outside of a recognized FIFA window, Adams will next lead the USMNT in March when they face Grenada and El Salvador in the CONCACAF Nations League.
