2012 Young Athlete of the Year Finalists

2012 U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year Finalists:
    Terrence Boyd , Forward
    Joe Corona, Midfielder
    Danny Williams, Midfielder
    Rubio Rubin, Forward
    Shaquell Moore, Defender

Since his Men’s National Team debut as a late substitute on Feb. 29 in the USA’s 1-0 victory against Italy, Terrence Boyd has steadily worked his way into the picture as one of the premier up-and-coming forwards on head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s roster. Combining size and speed with a willingness to take a chance in the penalty box, Boyd provided the awareness and creativity needed to settle the ball and flick a back-heel pass to Michael Orozco Fiscal for the game-winning goal in an historic 1-0 victory against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in August – the USA’s first win at the vaunted stadium. The 21-year-old emerged this year as an impact player for Austrian Bundesliga side Rapid Vienna with six goals through 12 appearances as well as two crucial goals in Europa League qualifying – not to mention a highlight-reel bicycle kick during a preseason friendly against AS Roma.

After helping Club Tijuana gain promotion to Mexico’s top flight a couple months before turning 21 in the Summer of 2011, Joe Corona then burst onto the U.S. scene as part of the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team during the 2012 Olympic Qualifying tournament where his clinical finishing showed through in the form of a hat trick against Cuba and a fourth overall goal against El Salvador. Now 22, Corona’s consistent form earned the Chula Vista, Calif., native a call-up to Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad and his first appearance on May 26 in a 5-1 win against Scotland. Corona was a late substitute against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in August and earned his first World Cup qualifying experience during the Semifinal Round as he entered the USA’s 3-1 win against Guatemala in Kansas City, Kan., in the 90th minute.

A versatile midfielder, Williams has played a more defensive role for the U.S. Men’s National Team since making his debut on Oct. 8, 2011 against Honduras. Technically sound, resourceful and adept at playing multiple positions, he earned his 10th cap on Oct. 16, 2012, in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Guatemala. A native of Karlsruhe, Germany, the physical midfielder appeared in four of the team’s six matches in the Semifinal Round. Able to move up and attack from the midfield, Williams was the first player to earn his first cap under the direction of U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and lines up with fellow Men’s National Team player Fabian Johnson at Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.

Coming from Beaverton, Ore., Rubio Rubin has spent the last year training at the U.S. Under-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. A creative attacking player that can play in any position across the front line, Rubin is one of the team’s leading goal-scorers with eight goals so far during the 2012 calendar year. His commitment and work ethic, one-on-one skills, willingness to defend and a positive approach to the game help him stand out as a key player for U-17 Men’s National Team head coach Richie Williams. As the year stretches on, Rubin seems to keep improving, scoring in four straight matches from Oct. 6-25.

U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team defender Shaquell Moore took a positional change in stride and has emerged as a leader during his time at the U-17 Residency Program. Earlier in the year, Moore was asked to transition from center back to right back and the Georgia native has flourished. The team captain, Moore is in charge of organizing the back line of defenders and is astute at reading the game. He possesses a calm touch with both feet and can convert goals when needed as the physical fullback has fired home two penalty kicks this season. Known for putting in a strong effort for the entire match, Moore has become a mainstay in the U-17 lineup this season.