Antonee Robinson Voted 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year

“Jedi” Becomes First Defender to Win Award Since 2006; Outstanding Year for USMNT and Strong Club Performances Also Earned Robinson the Fulham FC Player of the Year Award
Graphic with a picture of Antonee Robinson and text 2024 Male Player of the Year Antonee Robinson
Graphic with a picture of Antonee Robinson and text 2024 Male Player of the Year Antonee Robinson

CHICAGO (Jan. 5, 2024) – U.S. Men’s National Team defender Antonee Robinson has been voted the 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year after an outstanding yearin which he started all 11 matches for which he was available, started in all four of the USA's shutouts in 2024, and recorded the game-winning assist against Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals. Robinson has become one of the top outside backs in the English Premier League with Fulham FC, winning the 2023-24 Player of the Year award for the club.

This is Robinson’s first U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award, having previously been nominated in 2022. First recognized in 1984,a total of 27 players have won the award.The 27-year-oldRobinson becomes the first defender to earn this recognition since Oguchi Onyewu in 2006.

“It’s an incredible honor,” said Robinson.“Representing our country isn’t something you do for individual accolades. It’s always about putting the team first and trying to do my best for the boys and for the country, so to be rewarded for that is an amazing feeling.”

Fans can celebrate the 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year by purchasing Antonee Robinson merch at the U.S. Soccer Store

“Jedi” was surprised with the news during an interview with U.S. Men’s National Team legend and two-time U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award winner Tim Howard, which aired first on the Premier League Morningsshow and then La Liga Premier: Extraprior to the Fulham-Ipswich Town match today. In addition to being fellow National Team players, they share a history of being a part of Everton Football Club.

“I probably looked a little silly because I was shocked!,” Robinson said.“I thought it was just a random interview with Tim about how the season was going, so when he told me I’d won I was just in disbelief because it was the last thing I expected. Obviously, Tim had an incredible career with the National Team and throughout his club football so it was a thrill to have that news delivered by him.”

In a list of nomineesincluding Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic and Tim Ream, Robinson won with 55 percent of the weighted total. In addition to fan voting, votes for U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year are collected from National Team coaches, USMNT players who earned a cap in 2024, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council, professional league head coaches and sporting directors, select media members and former players and administrators.

A dual citizen of the United States and England, in 2024 Robinson played the second-most games and minutes of his career in a calendar year. The U.S. recorded all four of its clean sheets this year with Jedi patrolling the left flank, including the “dos a cero” win against Mexico in the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Final and the critical 1-0 shutout on the road against Jamaica in the quarterfinal of the 2025 edition of the tournament.

At the club level, Robinson has established himself as one of the outstanding performers in the Premier League at his position. Having won the Fulham 2023-24 Player of the Year award, he finished this calendar year with 10 assists across 37 games played, four more than any other defender in the league and in the top 10 of players across the board. Now wearing the captain’s armband, he’s already delivered seven assists in 19 matches during the current campaign – tied for the third amongst all Premier League players - two of which came in the thrilling 2-2 draw away to league leaders Liverpool on Dec. 14. Robinson is the third player with ties to Fulham to earn the honor, joining Clint Dempsey (2007, 2011, 2012) and Kasey Keller (1997, 1999, 2005).

Previous Winners

YearMale Player of the Year
2024Antonee Robinson
2023Christian Pulisic (4)
2022Tyler Adams
2021Christian Pulisic (3)
2020Weston McKennie
2019Christian Pulisic (2)
2018Zack Steffen
2017Christian Pulisic
2016Jozy Altidore (2)
2015Michael Bradley
2014Tim Howard
2013Jozy Altidore
2012Clint Dempsey (3)
2011Clint Dempsey (2)
2010Landon Donovan (4)
2009Landon Donovan (3)
2008Tim Howard
2007Clint Dempsey
2006Oguchi Onyewu
2005Kasey Keller (3)
2004Landon Donovan (2)
2003Landon Donovan
2002Brad Friedel
2001Earnie Stewart
2000Chris Armas
1999Kasey Keller (2)
1998Cobi Jones
1997Kasey Keller
1996Eric Wynalda
1995Alexi Lalas
1994Marcelo Balboa (2)
1993Thomas Dooley
1992Marcelo Balboa
1991Hugo Perez
1990Tab Ramos
1989Mike Windischmann
1988Peter Vermes
1987Brent Goulet
1986Paul Caligiuri
1985Perry Van der Beck
1984Rick Davis