Watching Gio Reyna play week in and week out for one of the best clubs in Europe, it’s easy to forget he only just turned 18 last month. Fortunately, the voters of U.S. Soccer’s 2020 Young Male Player of the Year award didn’t forget, awarding the Borussia Dortmund star the honor on Tuesday following previous nominations in 2018 and 2019.
- #USMNT and @BlackYellow attacker Gio Reyna is your 2020 @ussoccer Young Male Player of the Year!
Help us congratulate Gio!— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 22, 2020
Reyna, who wasn’t even old enough to vote in the past U.S. election because he turned 18 10 days after election day, had a breakout year in Germany, quickly going from youth player to senior-squad regular.
He announced himself with a worldie of a goal against Werder Bremen in February and only got better as the year went on. This season, Reyna is second in goals (three) and assists (four) at Dortmund.
Gio Reyna had an amazing first year as a professional with @BlackYellow and left a great first impression with the #USMNT in November.
Guess what... he's only 18!>> https://t.co/H5o0XEVWmn pic.twitter.com/yuPCbwpTds
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 22, 2020
All his success at the club level led to Reyna breaking through with the senior national team. He made his USMNT debut against Wales on Nov. 12, becoming the first child of former national-team players (Claudio Reyna and Danielle Egan) to appear for a U.S. national team. A few days later, he scored his first USMNT goal, becoming the third-youngest goal scorer in USMNT history.
Here it is! At 18 years, 3 days, Gio Reyna becomes the third youngest goal scorer in USMNT history! #USAvPAN pic.twitter.com/eadp1tNsWD
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) November 16, 2020
Reyna beat out a strong cast of players also nominated for the 2020 USMNT Young Player award. Taylor Twellman wanted to give the honor to Yunus Musah, the 18-year-old New York native who plays for Valencia, to make sure he sticks with the USMNT since he is still eligible to represent England, Ghana and Italy. Bayern Munich’s Chris Richards, Philadelphia Union’s Mark McKenzie and Brenden Aaronson, who will join RB Salzburg in January, were also nominated.
Former winners of the USMNT Young Player award include greats like Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Bradley (yes, he’s a great), plus a few players who never quite lived up to expectations like Brek Shea, Luis Gil and, of course, Freddy Adu.
On Monday, U.S. Soccer announced Naomi Girma as the 2020 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. She beat out Mia Fishel and Trinity Rodman.
Congrats to defender Naomi Girma on being voted the 2020 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year! ⚽️
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) December 21, 2020
Sam Mewis won 2020 USWNT Player of the Year and Weston McKennie won 2020 USMNT Player of the Year.
