MAKING THE CASE: Yunus Musah for Chipotle U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year
Nineteen-Year-Old Midfielder Tied International Future to USA in March and Has Played Key Role in World Cup Qualifying
After bursting onto the scene last fall, midfielder Yunus Musah tied his future to the USA this spring and has been a key contributor for the USMNT through the first eight games of World Cup qualifying. Now in the midst of his second full professional season with La Liga’s Valencia, Musah earns his second nomination for Chipotle U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year.
Before casting your ballot for U.S. Soccer’s 2021 Player of the Year awards, here’s a rundown of Musah’s body of work for country and club this year:
● Eligible to represent England, Ghana, Italy and the United States, Musah officially committed to represent the Red, White, and Blue on March 15.
● Born in New York City, Musah went on to play in all four of the USMNT’s spring and summer friendlies. The midfielder picked up his first National Team assist against Jamaica in Austria.
● After missing the opening three matches of World Cup qualifying due to injury, the midfielder started all five of the USA’s October and November matches, helping the USMNT to a 3-1-1 record in those games.
● Set up the game-tying goal in the USA’s 2-1 comeback qualifying victory against Costa Rica on Oct. 13.
● Put together an impressive first professional season for La Liga’s Valencia in 2020-21, appearing in 32 of 38 league games and all three Copa del Rey matches while netting a highlight-reel first goal in the top flight.
● This year, Musah has played in 12 of 16 league matches for Los Murcielagos. He netted his second pro goal on Dec. 2 in the Copa del Rey vs. Utrillas, earning Valencia’s Man of the Match honors for his performance.
Musah was previously nominated for Young Male Player of the Year in 2020 after his first USMNT call-up and in the midst of his breakout season with Valencia.