Clear favorite as nominees for USMNT player of the year 2023 announced

After an intriguing 2023 for the United States National Team, where despite uncertainties about the right person to continue leading the coaching team — a position to which Gregg Berhalter returned —, the ‘Stars and Stripes’ found their feet to win the 22-23 Concacaf Nations League, beating Canada 2-0 in the final), and also claim their spot in the 23-24 Nations League semi-final (they play Jamaica on 21 March 2024) which gave them direct entry to the 2024 Copa América.

Thanks to European-based players, who are used to more intense levels of competition, the USMNT’s success allows them a breather before they come back for a hectic 2024, with the final games of the 23-24 Nations League, the Copa América in the summer and all this with one eye firmly fixed on the 2026 World Cup in North America, where the US will have home advantage.

USMNT Player of the Year 2023

And to close out 2023, before the excitement of 2024, US Soccer today, Monday, revealed the five candidates for ‘Player of the Year 2023′.

Led by the leader of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’, Christian Pulisic, the nominees from the United States national squad also include Folarin Balogun, Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi and Matt Turner.

While most pundits have Pulisic as their favorite, Balogun, from New York but who moved to England when he was two and was involved in the English youth set-up, could give the USMNT number 10 a run for his money.

Pulisic, of course, is a key player under Berhalter’s direction, but Balogun’s arrival mid-year marked a jump in quality for the United States’ forward line. Notably he scored in the Nations League final, where they defeated Canada at Allegiant Stadium (0-2).

Other nominees prominent in Europe

Behind those two come Musah, Pepi and Turner. The first of the three moved from Valencia to AC Milan to play alongside ‘CP10′; the second is having an inspiring start to his time with PSV Eindhoven, and the third is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the USMNT, and is gradually adapting to Nottingham Forest.

Best Young Male Player 2023

Appearing on the list for the youth category nominations is Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi, a candidate for the ‘2023 Young Player of the Year’. The ‘number 30′ of the Major League Soccer franchise is facing players such as Nimfasha Berchimas, Gianluca Busio, Jack McGlynn, and Kevin Paredes.