The USMNT Goal of the Year 2021 was announced on Wednesday with the fans voting correctly and picking Sergiño Dest as the winner.
USMNT Goal of the Year 2021
Sergino Dest’s BANGER against Costa Rica was voted best @USMNT goal of 2021
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) December 15, 2021
You voted @sergino_dest's banger vs. Costa Rica the best #USMNT goal of 2021! pic.twitter.com/hKsEZxEBIo— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 15, 2021
Dest’s blast was without a doubt the deserving winner of the award. Here was the rest of the competition where oddly enough 66 percent of the nominees were game-winning headers.
We can't possibly pick a best goal of 2021, so that's why we're trusting you.
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 14, 2021
Unlike the USWNT Goal of the Year award, there’s no controversy here as to who the winner should’ve been. Dest’s magnificent goal helped inspire the USMNT to a 2-1 comeback victory against Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying.
The real mystery will be the winner of the USMNT Player of the Year.
What a year it was.
Brenden Aaronson, @KellynAcosta, @WMckennie, @cpulisic_10, @_milesrobinson_, & @headdturnerr are your nominees for 2021 @BioSteelSports Male Player of the Year » https://t.co/hVX4VN4ISN pic.twitter.com/Wgp0NCgjPq— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 5, 2021
It feels like every nominee other than Kellyn Acosta has a legitimate shot on winning the award. Sorry Acosta.
Matt Turner had a meteoric rise at the Gold Cup to challenge for the No. 1 goalkeeper position and was the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
Miles Robinson firmly cemented himself as a starting defender for the USMNT, got the game-winner against Mexico in the Gold Cup Final and was a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year.
Brenden Aaronson has statistically been one of the best for the USMNT this year. Across all international competitions he is the team’s leading goal scorer with four and he’s helped Red Bull Salzburg become the first Austrian club to reach the Champions League knockout stages.
Weston McKennie has been instrumental for the USMNT in the midfield and came up big against Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League Final and World Cup qualifying. The hiccup for McKennie could be his removal from the USMNT camp in September after breaking Covid protocols.
Christian Pulisic is the wild card here. His resume has the biggest bullet points for sure: the first American to win the Champions League, a goal against Real Madrid in the UCL semis, two game winners against Mexico and that iconic “Man in the Mirror” celebration. Despite being out injured for nearly three months this year, he could still take home the prize.
My prediction: Christian Pulisic
I think the fans are going to vote for the guy with the nickname of “Captain America.” The winner will be announced in the near future.
