Gio Reyna has had plenty to celebrate this year. (Photo courtesy of Borussia Dortmund)
CHICAGO — Given what he accomplished as a 17- and then an 18-year-old the past 12 months, it should come as no surprise that Gio Reyna was been voted 2020 U.S. Soccer young male player of the year.
U.S. Soccer made the announcement Tuesday morning.
Following an impressive career in the U.S. youth national team program, Reyna made a major leap to the next level for club and country in 2020. He made his much-anticipated debut for the U.S. men’s national team in a 1-1 draw at Wales Nov. 12 vs. Wales. He and midfielder Yunus Musah became the 12th and 13th players to earn their first cap before the age of 18.
Four days later, Reyna became the third youngest goal scorer in USMNT history when he opened the scoring for the USA in its 6-2 victory over Panama in Austria on a free kick.
While November marked his first call-up to the full USMNT, Reyna was a part of head coach Gregg Berhalter’s plans for the USA’s canceled March training camp after breaking through for the Borussia Dortmund first team in early 2020. After making his Bundesliga debut at Augsburg Jan. 18, Reyna has made 39 appearances in 2020 across all competitions, tallying five goals and seven assists entering this week’s competition.
The son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna and U.S. women’s international midfielder Danielle Egan Reyna, Gio started to turn heads in his first DFB-Pokal appearance. Facing Werder Bremen Feb. 4, Reyna unleashed this rocket of a shot for his first professional goal.
He made his UEFA Champions League debut against Paris-Saint Germain Feb. 18, contributing to both of Dortmund’s goals in a 2-1 victory. Reyna made regular substitute appearances for Dortmund when the soccer world was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March. He picked up where he left off when the Bundesliga restarted in May, appearing in seven of nine games to close out the season.
During the 2020-21 season, Reyna has made the jump from regular appearances to regular starts for Dortmund. He has played in all 13 league games for Dortmund this fall, starting 10, recording three goals and four assists. Reyna has also made his mark in the Champions League, where he has started four games and appeared in all six of Dortmund’s matches.
Reyna won the 2020 award following previous nominations in 2018 and 2019 for his leading role with the U.S. Under-17 men’s national team during its 2018-19 cycle. Before joining Dortmund, he played for New York City FC in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, earning 2018 East Conference Player of the Year honors and helping his team to the U-18/19 Academy Championship.
Votes for U.S. Soccer Player of the Year awards are collected from respective National Team coaches, National Team players who have earned a cap in 2020, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council, National Women’s Soccer League head coaches (for the USWNT awards) and American soccer league (MLS and USL) head coaches (for the USMNT awards), select media members and former players and administrators.
U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year Winners
2020
Gio Reyna
2019
Sergiño Dest
2018
Alex Mendez
2017
Josh Sargent
2016
Christian Pulisic
2015
Matt Miazga
2014
DeAndre Yedlin
2013
Wil Trapp
2012
Rubio Rubin
2011
Brek Shea
2010
Gale Agbossoumonde
2009
Luis Gil
2008
Sacha Kljestan
2007
Michael Bradley
2006
Jozy Altidore
2005
Benny Feilhaber
2004
Eddie Johnson
2003
Freddy Adu
2002
Bobby Convey
2001
DaMarcus Beasley
2000
Landon Donovan
1999
Ben Olsen
1998
Josh Wolff