CHRIS ALBISTON, Midfielder

A finalist for a second-straight year, the midfielder showed prowess on both sides of the ball and registered career highs with seven goals and five assists during 2023. One of six players to appear in all 14 matches, Albiston produced a goal contribution in 10 different contests, beginning with his goal and assist in the 8-2 win against Belize on April 6. Albiston tallied the game-winner in the 5-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago the following day, before providing an assist in the 4-2 win against El Salvador to claim the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games qualifying championship. The five-year Beach MNT veteran found the back of the net against Trinidad and Tobago again during the group stage of the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, before providing assists in back-to-back knockout round wins against Costa Rica in the quarterfinal (5-4) and El Salvador in the semifinal (5-2). Albiston closed the year with strong performances in the set of friendlies at Argentina, tallying the opening USA goal in the 3-2 loss on Nov. 7, before registering his fourth career brace in the 5-2 win on Nov. 9.

GABE SILVEIRA, Forward

A finalist for a second-straight year, Silveira led the team in scoring with a career-high 14 goals in 12 appearances. After recording 11 goals in 2022, Silveira joined Alessandro Canale and Nick Perera as the third USBMNT player to score double-digit goals in multiple years, with his 14 goals standing as the fifth highest during a calendar year in team history. The striker showed steady consistency throughout 2023, finding the back of the net in 11 of his 12 appearances, and only failing to score in the 4-2 win against El Salvador on April 8. Silveira scored three goals, including a brace against Belize on April 6 to help the USA win the ANOC World Beach Games qualifiers, and scored a single goal in each of the USA’s matches against Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Mexico later that month at the Acapulco Cup. Having warmed up at those competitions, Silveira’s performance at the at the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, where he led the team with eight goals and had two goal contributions, carries immense weight. Having recorded a goal and assist in each of the group stage wins against Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Panama, Silveira bagged a brace in the USA’s 5-4 quarterfinal win against Costa Rica, recorded a goal and assist in the 5-2 semifinal win against El Salvador, before finding the back of the net twice more in the 5-0 win against Mexico to claim the Concacaf crown. Unable to take part in the team’s year-end friendlies against Argentina, Silveira will ride a nine-match goal scoring streak into 2024.

CHRIS TOTH, Goalkeeper

LUCIANO GONZALEZ, Fixo

Now in his eighth season playing in the Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) Calcio a 5, in the spring Luciano Gonzalez helped lead Recanati Calcio a 5 to the 2022-23 Campionato Nazionale di Serie B promotion playoff final against AMB Frosinone 5. He scored in the 2-2 home leg, but Frosinone would win the second leg 9-5 in extra time after the teams tied 4-4 in regulation. Gonzalez scored 11 goals in all competitions for Recanati. In July he joined Boston-based Safira Futsal for the 37th U.S. Futsal National Championships, where the team went 3-0-0 and fell in the semifinals to Utah Elite. Gonzalez signed with Serie B side Buldog TNT Lucrezia for the 2022-23 season and played in the first three games before sustaining an injury that has kept him out of action the last month. 

DIEGO MORETTI, Goalkeeper

After signing with Sampdoria in Italy's Serie A for the 2022-23 season - his 19th in the Italian Federation's Calcio a 5 - Moretti requested and was granted his release in the winter to attend to his father, who was diagnosed with late-stage cancer in the fall of 2022. The U.S. Men's Futsal National Team's leader in games played (19) since it's return to action in 2020 after a four year hiatus, Moretti attended both training camps in 2023 and played an important role as captain in a year which saw a transition in coaching staffs, providing support to both the young player pool and new coaches Hewerton Moreira and Sacha Filippi. Moretti continues to train individually and maintain his fitness at his home in Las Palmas, Gran Canary, Spain while taking care of his father in anticipation of being part of the U.S. team at the 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship.

ZACH REGET, Pivo

JOSH BRUNAIS, Defender

A long-time member of the CP Men’s National Team, defender and captain Josh Brunais earns his first Player of the Year nomination in 2023. One of three players to appear in all eight matches this year, the defender showed prowess at both ends of the field, leading the team with four assists, six goal contributions, and 420 minutes played. After providing an assist in the 2-0 win at Australia to open the year back in February, Brunais was a force for the team during the 2023 Parapan Am Games in Chile. The veteran had a strong showing in the 6-0 win against Canada, scoring two goals and recording two assists in the contest that ensured the USA would play for a medal, before providing another assist in the 3-0 win against Venezuela to claim the Bronze Medal. Brunais helped the USA to four clean sheets in 2023, as well as limiting all opponents to two goals or less during the other four matches.

BEN LINDAU, Midfielder

Another veteran member of the CP Men’s National Team, midfielder Ben Lindau earns his first Player of the Year nomination in 2023. Though he missed out on the friendlies at Australia to open the year, Lindau was a force in the middle throughout the 2023 Parapan American Games in November, starting all six matches and tying defender Josh Brunais and goalkeeper Sean Boyle for the team lead in minutes played with 300. Lindau also contributed two assists during the tournament, playing provider in the 4-2 win against Chile to open the competition on Nov. 18, before recording his second assist in the 6-0 win against Canada to ensure the team would play for a medal. Lindau capped the competition by going the full 60 minutes in the 3-0 win against Venezuela to claim Bronze – the fourth match of 2023 that the midfielder went the distance.

JOHN SULLIVAN, Forward

Winner of the first CP Men’s Player of the Year award in 2022, John Sullivan earns his second nomination this year. The forward began the year by appearing in both friendly matches at Australia in February, playing the full 60 minutes in both contests. In November, Sullivan took part in his first Parapan American Games, appearing in four of the six matches, providing two assists over 227 minutes played. Sullivan’s two assists in Chile were crucial in the USA claiming the Bronze Medal, the striker played provider to Shea Hammond on the only goal in the 1-0 group stage win against Venezuela on Nov. 22. Three days later, he linked up with Hammond again for the opening goal in the 3-0 win against Venezuela to help the USA claim the Bronze Medal in Santiago. Along with playing for the National Team, Sullivan serves as a coach for CP Soccer Arizona, as well as an Academy Coach with FC Tucson.

JESSLYN KUHNEL, Forward

After registering six goals – including the game-winner in the final – to help the USA win the 2022 IFCPF World Cup, Kuhnel accepted a scholarship to St. Andrews University in North Carolina where she played six games and scored one goal during her freshman season in 2023. Along with participating in CP WNT  camp during the AdaptandThrive Invitational in March, Kuhnel took part in U.S. Soccer Store’s first-ever photo shoot for Extended National Team athletes earlier this year. 

MICHELLE CROSS, Defender

The only player to play every minute of the 2022 IFCPF World Cup, Cross represented Disability Athletes in June’s Congressional Soccer Match in Washington, D.C. Along with participating in CP WNT camp during the AdaptandThrive Invitational in March, she showed her prowess as a two-sport athlete this year, competing in Track and Field at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where she placed fifth in the women’s 200 meters.

JOEY MARTIN, DEFENDER

A leader amongst the group and core player for the future, Joey Martin registered three goals and three assists at the 2022 IFCPF World Cup, including one in the final against Australia. Along with participating in CP WNT  camp during the AdaptandThrive Invitational in March, Martin took part in U.S. Soccer Store’s first-ever photo shoot for Extended National Team athletes earlier this year to help grow awareness for the team and sport.

SYDNEY ANDREWS, Defender

Andrews was the central defender in the Deaf WNT’s new 3-5-2 formation, a system which found her nailing down a bigger role and giving the younger players on either side the confidence to do their job well. One of three players to play every minute during the 2023 World Cup, Andrews orchestrated the movement of the backline and gave her fellow defenders the ability to be ball winners, knowing she would clean up any danger that got behind them. An excellent one-on-one defender, her ability to keep possession when opponents pressed helped keep the team calm in difficult moments. While Andrews’ play and leadership on the backline saw the USA keep four clean sheets in six matches and concede only two goals, she also helped on the attacking end, scoring early in the tournament opener against Japan to set the tone for a successful tournament in Malaysia.

PAIGE BEAUDRY, Defender

Another member of the starting back three in Malaysia, Beaudry was the biggest ball winner in the entire defensive end for the USA throughout the tournament. Joining Sydney Andrews and Emily Spreeman as the three players to play every minute of the tournament, Beaudry’s defending was so solid that scoring opportunities on her side of the field were sparse. She also was influential in the team’s ability to win balls higher up the field. Helping the USA to four shutouts and just two goals conceded in six matches, Beaudry’s defensive contributions were felt through the final against Turkey, when she cleared a ball off the line to help ensure the 3-0 win and a third-straight World Cup title.

EMILY SPREEMAN, Forward

CHRIS BOURDON, Forward

A member of Albion San Diego of the National Independent Soccer Association, winger Chris Bourdon competed in his first tournament with the U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team at the 2023 World Cup in Malaysia and made an immediate impact on the squad. Bringing a consistent energy throughout the tournament, Bourdon was the only player to feature in all 630 minutes in Malaysia, where he tallied two goals: one in the 3-2 group stage defeat to Egypt on Sept. 25 and one in the 2-2 draw with Iran in the first placement match on Oct. 3. Playing a majority of his minutes on the left wing, Bourdon used his pace, mobility and technical savvy to constantly create fits for defenders throughout the tournament.

JP KANASHIRO, Midfielder

A long-time veteran of the U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team, central midfielder JP Kanashiro is considered the heartbeat of the squad by his teammates. The central midfielder is relentless at being around and on the ball. His international experience, tactical acumen and game awareness made him an impact player in every match during the team’s World Cup run in Malaysia where he started six of his seven appearances and tallied one goal in the final placement match against France on Oct. 5. Possessing an amazing ability to disrupt the opponent, Kanashiro created many turnovers and helped the team in transition. A classy player who has the respect of both teammates and opponents, Kanashiro could be found throughout the tournament interacting with players from around the world. His big smile, infectious personality and passion for the sport make him an excellent representative for the Deaf MNT program. 

WILL FRENTZ, Defender

LEXI HEER, Winger/Goalkeeper

One of two members of the 2023 squad to make their Powerchair Football World Cup debut in Australia, Lexi Heer proved to be one of the breakout players of the tournament. The Fishers, Indiana product led the team with six goals at the tournament to go along with one assist. Though she largely played a substitute role in Sydney, Heer was one of only three players to appear in all 11 matches, and showed her versatility when she played as a goalkeeper in two contests, including earning a 2-0 shutout win against Uruguay on the last day of group stage play. After tallying goals in the wins against Australia, Ireland, Japan and Denmark, Heer recorded her first World Cup brace, scoring both goals in the 2-1 win against Argentina in the Third-Place Match.

RILEY JOHNSON, Center

The USA’s maestro of the court, co-captain Riley Johnson proved to be a leader throughout his third World Cup appearance in Australia. The veteran appeared in nine of 11 matches, finishing tied for second with five goals, while adding one assist. After tallying in the opening 5-0 win against Australia and 3-0 victory against Northern Ireland, Johnson scored the USA’s first two goals and earned Player of the Match honors in the 3-1 victory against England, a result that propelled the team to a second-place group finish. Johnson again scored in the 2-0 win against Uruguay, and showed his leadership qualities on the final day. After a disappointing 1-0 defeat to England in the semifinal, he refocused the squad ahead of the Third-Place Match and provided the opening third minute assist to Lexi Heer, spurring the USA to a 2-1 win against Argentina to claim the bronze medal in Sydney.

PETE WINSLOW, Striker

The USA made waves at the World Cup after showing its prowess on set pieces and Pete Winslow was the main reason why. The striker led all players with 15 assists, to go along with two goals and 17 overall goal contributions across the 11 matches in Australia. Winslow contributed to at least one goal in 10 of the team’s 11 matches, notably providing three assists in the 5-0 opening win against Australia, a goal and assist in the 2-0 win against Ireland, a goal and two assists in the 3-1 victory against England, as well as double-assist matches against Denmark (2-1 win) and Uruguay (2-0 win). One of only three players to play all 11 games, Winslow’s last goal contribution was providing the game-winning assist to Lexi Heer in the 2-1 win against Argentina in the tournament’s Third-Place Match.