FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 18, 2021) – FC Dallas Homegrown and 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. Pepi earns his second Young Player of the Year award after being named MLS Young Player of the Year on Nov. 18, 2021.
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. He has three goals and three assists in six World Cup qualifying appearances this year.
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.
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. 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.
PREVIOUS WINNERS Year
2021 Ricardo Pepi
2020 Gio Reyna
2019 Sergiño Dest
2018 Alex Mendez
2017 Josh Sargent
2016 Christian Pulisic
2015 Matt Miazga
2014DeAndre Yedlin
2013 Wil Trapp
2012 Rubio Rubin
2011 Brek Shea
2010 Gale Agbossoumonde
2009 Luis Gil
2008 Sacha Kljestan
2007 Michael Bradley
2006 Jozy Altidore
2005 Benny Feilhaber
2004 Eddie Johnson
2003 Freddy Adu
2002 Bobby Convey
2001 DaMarcus Beasley
2000 Landon Donovan
1999 Ben Olsen
1998 Josh Wolff
