The U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award is the highest honor awarded to soccer players in the United States. The Male and Female Athletes of the Year awards are the oldest and most prestigious awards of their kind, dating back to 1984 for the men and 1985 for the women, while the Young Male and Young Female awards were added in 1998.

Online votes registered at ussoccer.com count for 50 percent of the total votes, while the other 50 percent is represented by votes compiled from members of the national media and U.S. Soccer representatives, including National Team coaches and members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. A player can only win the Young Athlete award once in his or her career.