- - USMNT star Chris Richards named 2025 US Soccer Male Player of the Year

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAY January 14, 2026 at 11:43 PM

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U.S. men's national team defender Chris Richards has been voted the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, the federation announced Wednesday.

Richards enjoyed a fine year for club and country, becoming a fixture in the lineup for both while helping Crystal Palace win its first ever major trophy.

This is the first U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award for Richards, who becomes the second consecutive defender to win the prize after Antonee Robinson was honored in 2024.

Richards won 48.6% of the weighted total vote, beating out fellow finalists Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman, Matt Freese and Malik Tillman.

Tillman finished second with 21.7% of the vote, with Freeman coming in third at 13%.

5. Christian Pulisic - 32 (2016-present; through Nov. 18, 2024)

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1KrpPnNLdZkKHn6MOk_itQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b61031859119d17c36bd5d00b928d866 class=caas-img data-headline="USMNT all-time leading goal scorers" data-caption="

5. Christian Pulisic - 32 (2016-present; through Nov. 18, 2024)

">5. Christian Pulisic - 32 (2016-present; through Nov. 18, 2024)

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1 / 11USMNT all-time leading goal scorers1 (tie). Clint Dempsey - 57 goals (2004-2017)

The Alabama native made 12 appearances for the USMNT last year, starting all six games as Mauricio Pochettino's side reached the Gold Cup final. Richards scored the opener in that match against Mexico, which ultimately came back to defeat the USMNT, 2-1.

Richards scored two goals at the Gold Cup, earning a spot on the tournament's Best XI.

The news was delivered to Richards live Wednesday during the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN.

CHRIS RICHARDS...YOU HAVE BEEN NAMED THE @USMNT PLAYER OF THE YEAR 👏"This means the world to me and I couldn't be more excited for the World Cup" ~ @eastmamba #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/vqvJv2YGje

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 14, 2026

At the club level, Richards was a lock starter for Crystal Palace in 2025. The 25-year-old played every minute of Palace's run to the FA Cup title, including a 1-0 shutout of high-flying Manchester City in the final.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT's Chris Richards voted US Soccer Male Player of the Year

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