Photo by ISIphotos.com
As the calendar gets set to turn to 2012, it's an obvious time to reflect and look back at the year that was for U.S. Soccer.
While the year provided the ushering in of a new coaching era, a 6-8-3 international record and a breakout stage for a number of players, it also saw some of the more familiar names rise to the occasion on both the club and international levels.
Clint Dempsey exemplifies that, as he continues to get even better while playing for Fulham, and he was a standout performer for the United States during its Gold Cup run and in the subsequent friendlies as well.
Playing in a roving supporting forward/attacking midfield role, Dempsey broke the record for all-time goals in the Premier League by an American and has nine goals in all competitions for the Cottagers this season. He also found the net a U.S.-best five times in international play this year, including a decisive finish in the Gold Cup semifinal against Panama.
Then there's goalkeeper Tim Howard, who continues to be a steady anchor in the back for both Everton and the national team. His shot-stopping ability preserved results for the United States on a number of occasions in both friendlies and the Gold Cup, and it also prevented other games from getting out of hand. With a revolving crew of defenders in front of him, the 32-year-old Howard continues to be the constant presence in the back.
It wasn't a traditional dominant year for Landon Donovan, certainly not for the national team, where his absences were more notable than most of his performances save for his goal against Mexico in the Gold Cup final.
Even so, the MLS Cup MVP played through various injuries to score 12 goals this season and lead the Galaxy to the promised land, and he is headed back to the Premier League for two months to try and reprise his role as Everton savior. Five months into Jurgen Klinsmann's tenure as head coach, we still have yet to see how Donovan and Dempsey work together under the new system, and all eyes will be on that dynamic going forward.
For Jozy Altidore, 2011 presented a year of opportunity. Finally receiving consistent time as a starter for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, Altidore's game has improved, and he has become a valuable scoring threat on the club level, where he has managed nine goals in all competitions this season.
He's still not scoring at a prolific rate for the national team, though he tallied three times in 2011 including a cracker of a finish against Guadeloupe in the Gold Cup. His improved touch and finishing accuracy has left the door open for a big 2012.
As for Michael Bradley, his place in the national team's starting lineup is no longer a given, but there's no questioning his continued productivity and growth. Playing in his fourth major European league at age 24, Bradley has become a fixture on the right for Chievo Verona in Serie A, helping the team to a mid-table standing.
He also managed to score his third-career goal against Mexico, giving the United States an early lead in the Gold Cup final. All of that combined with his play in recent U.S. friendlies lends reason to believe he'll be back in the starting XI when the U.S. games start to matter again in the coming months.
With all that being said, who gets your vote for American Player of the Year? Cast your vote here:
—————–
How did you vote? Who is your American Player of the Year? Anybody not listed in the poll that you think is a deserving winner?
Share your thoughts below.
Ok — he’s been down for 2 months because of the ACL tear, but Rossi still had a better year than Dempsey. And, he is an American.
Deuce!
This shouldn’t eve be close — Deuce all the way. And Fischy, you are an idiot.
Look at their goal scoring stats alone and I’m not sure you can say that, especially considering Dempsey plays in a tougher league and is a midfielder. Demps has also been getting the job done for his national team twice as long as Rossi has.
Landslide
Who else but Deuce? In totality, he is IMO the most important player for Fulham (i can also see an argument for Hangeland but Deuce scores the goals that gets the club vital points) and produces consistently for the Nats.
You misread Ives question. He asked for an American player.
Obviously some great choices. For me it has to be Donovan. Won the reg. season, won the MLS, still could win CONCACAF.
It makes it a very tough comparison when I give credit for the team winning and Dempsey has no chance of that.
Props to you for making an effort to argue a case for everyone else….but it’s really not close. Dempsey.
Given the landslide victory for Duece, the better question might be who should finish second. I’d go:
Deuce, Jr, Howard, Landycakes, and Altidore.
I usually despise when people say “There is no other choice but _______.” It’s a ploy to shut down debate. But I truly cannot see an argument made for anyone else over Clint Dempsey. A truly banner year, in my view.
dude f*ck rossi. he’s a damn traitor why you defending him
Clint!
Jozy Altidore sucks!
Ives compared Donovan’s and Bradley’s wonderful goals against Mexico in a final with his goal against Guadaloupe! Really?!
TIMMY!!! for his awesome StateFarm ads.
Yea Dempsey is the best American this year by far.
Landon is still in the running on the women’s side
OK I’ll bite. Deuce, Friedel, Donovan, Howard, Chandler, Bradley, Kljeistan, Altidore.
You have no idea what your talking about…seriously.. dont comment anymore, you just come off as stupid.
So is your mom
Dempsey easily is the best American this year. If Donovan would stay in Europe, we could finally put the debate on who is better at rest. However, Donovan is too attached to Sunny SoCal to live 6,000 miles away from home in gray-skied Europe. (For what it’s worth, Donovan is the better player, but Dempsey had a better 2011).
Dempsey of course! He’s the greatest Texan since Stan Hansen. (of course his lariat isn’t as good…)
I don’t always vote for American player of the year but, when I do I prefer to keep it nepotistic and vote for my son Michael Bradley. I can’t believe this is even a discussion.
JOB, duh.
I don’t think LD had a great MLS season, if anyone had a hand in wining the MLS, it had to be beckham.
LD has been very inconsistant to be the best for 2011, I think Dempsey had a better year.
Wheres the Brad Friedel keeping it beast mode at 40 option?
poll results suggest we can all move on. Fluff!
Eh… the guy has a point.
Just because the guy chose to play for Italy, he was born and (at least partially) raised American.
I also wish he had chosen to play for the US, but it’s spilled milk at this point.
Nevertheless, it is still a positive that someone with his technical ability is basically American.
Rossi never ONCE played for a USA youth team, therefore, for me he can NEVER be called a traitor.
Rather than jumping on Rossi, why not praise his father for coming to this country and providing excellent soccer coaching at the high school level.
If you are from an urban area in the US, I think we ALL know at least someone who feels a strong sense kinship with the country of his parents. He probably grew up dreaming of playing for Italy. Why should we deride him for fulfilling his dream?
Of course, if I were part of the US Soccer Federation I would be singing a decidedly different tune.
Fischy, Rossi had a total 9 games/3 goals this 2011/2012 season and his team is fourth from the bottom in La Liga. Villareal has not been the same team since Santi Carzola left. You must be thinking about Rossi’s last season, when he and Villareal really did well.
That’s what I’m saying!
My order would be Deuce, Friedel, Landycakes. All three have done great things this year, but Clint is the great American hope for his team- he’s smashing records as well. Bad year for country great year for club.. Here’s looking to next year!
Rossi — Here’s his numbers over the last 12 months: 16 goals for Villareal and 3 for Italy.
Dempsey: 16 goals for Fulham and 5 for the USA.
Awfully similar numbers — and, of course, Rossi has been out for two months, when he surely would have seriously padded his La Liga total, and maybe scored for his club in Europe, too.
As for the competition they’ve faced — Clint’s USA goals came against Canada, Jamaica, Panama, Honduras and Slovenia. His club goals include 3 goals in the Europa League, not against the best competition. Rossi’s goals include goals against Germany, Ukraine and Estonia. His club goals include 2 Champions League goals and Europa goals against the likes of Leverkusen, Porto, Napoli and Twente. If you’re focusing on Clint’s national team goals and appearances, is 5 goals with all his appearances for the USA more impressive than Rossi’s 3 goals in much more limited work with Italy?
The question was not who was the best player this year among people who wore the USA uniform. It was who was the best American player. Rossi is very American, even if he’s decided to play for Italy. His 2011 numbers stack up pretty well against Dempsey’s, even considering that Rossi has missed the last 2 months. You may disagree, but if you say I’m stupid for making the claim, then you’re the stupid one.
he’s still one of the best american’s ever to play the game. Which is what makes it hurt so much.
Dempsey, Howard, or Friedel for me.
Brek Shea
Even if he’s not better than Deuce, he’s had a better year than most others on the list. Bradley? Really?
The deuce love-fest is baffling.
The only thing he does better than Donovan is protect the ball at his feet. More than half the time, he holds it too long.
He may be doing good things with Fulham, and kudos to him for taking on the BPL challenge, but compared to Donovan, he has done jack-all with the MNT.
He plays hard, but it’s always about Clint, not the team. USMNT team chemistry droops when he’s on the pitch.
Calling Clint the best all time US player, based on what he’s done for the MNT, is a joke.
I was thinking of all of 2011, not just the last four months..two of which Rossi missed because of an ACL tear.
2011 –
Rossi has 16 club team goals and 3 goals for Italy
Dempsey has 16 club team goals and five for the USA.
It’s awfully close. Clint’s in the picture, but I don’t think he’s a clear-cut choice over Rossi.
Actually why aren’t Hope Solo or Abby Wambach on this list? I still think Deuce beats them both for the top spot, but they absolutely deserve to be in the conversation.
had a better year than MB90 for sure. Deuce is the obvious answer, but seeing Shea, Friedel, Wambach etc out of the poll is a real headscratcher.
where is Friedel on this poll? i would swap Baby Bradley for Friedel easy.
still, Dempsey wins no doubt.
I’ll grant you that EPL is tougher than La Liga, but it’s close. His La Liga goals include a brace against Valencia, a goal against Atletico, and goals in two different games against Sevilla — teams that are definitely better than most of the teams in England. Plus, as I’ve mentioned below, he tallied in Europa against Leverkusen, Porto, Napoli and Twente — all teams that could do pretty well in the EPL. The kid can score — plain and simple. At least, he could before the injury. We’ll have to see how he recovers.
I think you’re missing the point.
People have a ton of respect for what Deuce has done in the Premiere League.
I’d agree with you that Donovan has done more for the national team.
But the love fest is well earned in my opinion.
Deuce is (arguably) top dog for a decent Premiere League team.
Donovan is (arguably) second banana on an MLS team which probably ranks somewhere between 9 and 15 as far as leagues go. But kudos to him for winning the darned thing.
But all this is petty squabbling.
We are terribly lucky to have these guys as regular starters for our team.
It’s a huge bonus to have midfielders who are such consistent goal scoring threats.
They also complement each other and the team terribly well.
Donovan is the yang to Deuce’s yin!
+1
I totally agree! I vote Wambach with Deuce 2nd.
Why are Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore on this list over Brad Friedel, the starting goalkeeper for Tottenham.
And for that matter where are Rossi and Jermaine Jones?
What is the point of this question; its not even close. A better question would be who is the American player of the year between Clint and Abbey.
New pole should be; Is Fischy an idiot? I say no BUT it’s fairly clear the pole refers to US national team players. This isn’t too different from SBI Americans Abroad series that details Americans that do or would qualify for USMNT. Ives doesn’t follow Rossi because he plays for Italy.
Favorite American Player
Tie
Tim Chandler
Fabian Johnson
Lay off fischy, he has a valid argument. Whether or not you like Rossi does not negate the fact that he is an American citizen. The question is “Who is your AMERICAN Player of the Year,” not “Who is your USMNT Player of the Year.”
I think your argument is valid, Fischy. Rossi essentially equaled Dempsey’s tally on the year while also missing two full months of European and Domestic matches.
My answer is either Rossi or Friedel who is rated as the top goalkeeper in the EPL as it stands.
DEMPSEY, Friedel, Rossi, Howard, Altidore, Kljestan, Bradley, Bocanegra and so on
the most important question is what to do about Cherundolo? He’s lost his EDGE in the past 6 months for club and country. And is Gooch finally back to form?
rossi renounced his right to be considered an American soccer player when he chose Italy.
Not sure if I agree with Donovan being the better player…they’re different. good at different things.
Dolo in my opinion was the most valuable- look what happened when he left the Gold Cup Final.
I would guess because Friedel contributes nothing to the USMNT, which is an important part in considering players for American player of the year.
Michael Bradley’s inclusion is just fine by me.
He has an argument, but it is one that I reject. In my view, once you align yourself with a national team, that is, in essence, the nationality that you have chosen. I never hear of Podolski or Klose referred to as Polish, or Ozil as Turkish. Or Eduardo as Brazilian. Or Camoranesi as Argentine. Etc, etc. Is JFT referred to as Mexican? As far as I can tell, his nickname in the country he plays in is “El Gringo Torres” referring to the fact that he represents the USA.
I think Mr. Fischy’s intentions were to stir the pot of discontent over _____’s decision to have nothing to do with the national team of the country of his birth. _____ had a fine year but in my opinion, should not be considered for “American Player of the year”
Jose Torres is a Mexican-American. Like Stuart Holden is a Scottish-American or Donovan a Canadian-American.
Lamar Neagle
What’s so great about being American if some idiot on an Internet message board gets to decide whether you have a right to consider yourself one?
As others have mentioned, Friedel certainly merits inclusion in this poll. Still think Deuce was the best yank by a mile this year though.
I dunno about that one because, let’s see…he’s definitely American (there’s no disputing that) and he’s also a definitely very, very good at the soccer thing too (can’t argue that one either). So not sure how the fact that he chose to play for Italy has anything to do with the preiously stated facts.
It sucks that he spurned us for Italy, but then we also have other Americans who chose to play for us too. So, meh. The Rossi thing used to rub me wrong (and it still does at some level) but this is soccer we are talking here people. It’s not like he wore the enemies uniform and picked up a rifle against us.
fischy is spot on and also has every right to present his argument…but even so it’s still Dempsey for me.
Not to knock on Friedel, because what he’s doing right now is freakishly awesome but one can also argue that his longevity has a lot to do with only playing in one lot – you see he stopped flying over the Atlantic a long time ago.
This was a smart move for him because it helped his career immensely, but we also get to factor that into the equation when measuring output. So we can say “yeah, he’s awesome in the BPL but…” Still mad respct though.
A. How is this at all relevant to the comment you’re replying to?
2. Jozy Altidore does not suck.
D. Please say something intelligent or don’t say anything at all.
+2
Actually, I was going to nominate Friedel. Clint is doing well at a mid-table club (well, almost mid-table) but Brad is helping Spurs reach the Champions’ League. If you want to measure the quality of the year by success, I think Brad comes out on top. Of course, if you’re one of those “fans” who hates those “traitors” who don’t play for the USMT, then you have to want him to die, or something. But I prefer to love my country without hating everyone else.
Yes, there’s an overlap between the two seasons in one calendar year. On a calendar year basis, I agree, it is pretty close.
Not even close. Clint all the way. Tommy is solid, but can’t compare to Clint’s year.
I applaud fischy’s contrarian and trollish suggestion that Rossi gets the vote and while everyone knows what the question was intended to mean technically scales is right in suggesting Rossi. On that note one should also include Brad Friedel in the short list.
But I voted Deuce and would have to give Altidore a most improved honorary mention and Chandler as “rookie” of the year nod.
Yes because during transatlantic travel one ages several years… I think you more meant the extra wear and tear of national team duty camps matches and travel, yeah?
And fishy is trollican-American…
Clint Dempsey
next question
Never meant to imply that the travel had anything to do with age, I was shooting for less wear and tear helped his longevity. So, yup, some of what you said.
Exactly. Shocking that he didn’t make the list.
Clint Mathis
next
Clint’s not a forward and posted those numbers, isn’t Rossi a forward?
Who cares about Rossi?, back stabber mofo, please vote for an American.
Go suck it fischy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your mother said the same thing.
wambach? broad street hooligans? Captain irrelevancy
So is Eduardo a Brazilian-Croat? And Ozil a Turkish-German? Seems a little silly. They are Croatia and German internationals. Considering them, therefore, Croatian and German respectively is reasonable. The same logic, to me, applies to ______.
Well, I’d rather be an idiot than an offensive, insulting jerk.
Freddie Adu
ranking leagues again…good players are good anywhere
Tim Ream or Lazy Out the Door?
I’ve been reading these comments waiting for someone to bring Friedel into the conversation.
Than you Kyle.
I know you really meant to write, “Villareal has not been the same team since Jozy Altidore left.”
Agreed. LD had a solid, albeit inconsistent year as he battled nagging injuries. CD23 was the better player of the two in ’11.
No props for defenders? ‘Dolo quietly had a fine ’11, as well.
How do you reckon ‘Dolo has lost his edge? I hadn’t heard about that. What have I missed?
chuckling…
wrong. it’s earnie stewart.
Brad Friedel is missing…signing with a top tier team and having a great season. Yup he would had gotten my vote!!
x2!
friedel is a eurodouche
Until Dempsey wins a title, there is no debate
I vote Tim “The Human Traffic Cone” Ream
Seriously? You rate an MLS title awfully high.
“With all that being said, who gets your vote for American Player of the Year? Cast your vote here:”
I see nothing in this statement that excludes the women even though you neglected them in the article and you should not have. If you wanted to confine it to men my guess is you would have written, “Male American Player of the Year”.
My vote: Abby Wambach.
Despite choking in the World Cup final she came through at a higher level with more pressure on her than any other American player and in the process did more for the game in the US than anyone else. The game still needs all the positive attention it can get in this country.
I don’t know the answer to this question but which team got US soccer more positive high profile attention with the general public?
The Men’s team with their abysmal performance at the Gold Cup and their subsequent hugely tepid performances under JK?
The Women’s team with their less abysmal choke in the World Cup final loss to the heroic Japanese team?
In a disappointing year, I’m betting on the women.
Maybe, but he is also one of the best keepers in the world.
And that is the real problem. Goalkeepers are such a different animal that they really need to have their own separate category from outfield players when it comes to awards and the like.
US keepers long ago have proven their excellence in the world game. This is not true for US outfield players.
The battle to achieve the same level of respect for them that our keepers get is still ongoing.
He’s not a back stabber. That is BS.
He got his soccer development training primarily from his dad, the Italians and the English. His goal from day one has been to play for Italy. He does not “owe” US soccer anything and has been very up front with them from the beginning.
He is a Jersey guy. There are a lot of weird ideas about people from New Jersey mostly based on TV portrayals but they are still Americans.
Rossi was born in Teaneck. I’m not a big fan of Teaneck and I’m sure “real Americans” like you (assuming you are one) are born in much nicer places but being born there still gets you a genuine US passport.
no it’s not, Rossi’s been hurt for so much of it all this year AND his team sucks. fischy’s trolling
and of course you support him, no surprise there
he’s an American who chose Italy as his country to represent.
for soccer purposes, he’s an Italian, come on
Lauren Cheney is my vote under this criteria
We’re talking about the American player of the year, not the USMNT MVP of the year. I think no one has had the level of overall accomplishments in 2011 as Clint Dempsey has. What he has done as an American player in the EPL is novel and historic.
Rossi’s identity is what he wants it to be. He chose to identify as Italian rather than American. That’s the end of the story as far as I’m concerned.
Besides, the first sentence says “the year that was for U.S. Soccer”. Rossi has nothing to do with U.S. Soccer.
Alex G wrote ” please vote for an American”.
Frickn Rossi, is legally, morally, ethically by whatever standard, an American, even if he is from New Jersey.
Playing for another country’s soccer team does not give Alex G or anyone the right or the grounds to revoke your citizenship.
He did not wrote “please vote (for soccer purposes only) an American”.
If you want to nitpick about semantics then nitpick with Alex G.
We ain’t mind readers here.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Friedel, but I think the piece makes it pretty clear that this is about contributions to club AND country.
who is nitpicking?
have a morning beer and chill out dude
I have no problems with Rossi, btw, none. I never expected him to play for the USMNT as he always wanted to play for Italy.
yet, morally, ethically, legally has nothing to do with the fact that he represents Italy, not the US. “Soccerly” he’s not an American, he’s Italian.
that’s my point, it’s accurate and not nitpicky.
why so sensitive?
“why so sensitive?”
It’s not a question of sensitivity.
What Alex G wrote is BS. Your response to my reply to him makes assumptions about what Alex G meant to write not what he actually wrote.
In other words, you don’t really know what Alex meant so why are you trying to tell me what he meant? That just adds to the BS level.
Your issue is with him not me.
too much philosophy. this is a soccer blog
anyway, I disagree with the original post, true, but also with yours
I do not think Rossi is a back stabbing mofo, but also do not believe, soccer wise, he’s American…because he chose to wear the Blue. He’s an Italian soccer speaking, and good for him since that was always his dream.
Exactly where they should be………not on the poll.
+34/26/34