U.S. Soccer today announced that Sounders FC defender DeAndre Yedlin has been voted the 2014 U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year. The Sounders FC Homegrown Player earned 10 U.S. Men’s National Team caps in 2014, including three at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“It’s an absolute honor to win this award,” said Yedlin. “I would like to thank my teammates, my family, and most of all the fans for the amazing support for our team. It was a tremendous year for a lot of young players, and we all share the dream of continuing to have the opportunity to represent our country.”
Yedlin, 21, was one of seven players to make at least 10 appearances for the USMNT in 2014, including two starts and an assist in a 1-1 friendly draw against Ecuador on October 10. He became the first MLS Homegrown Player to represent the U.S. National Team at the FIFA World Cup, making three appearances in Brazil, including an 88-minute performance against Belgium in the Quarterfinals. He earned his first cap for Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad in a 2-0 friendly win over the Republic of Korea on February 1.
The Seattle-native started all 25 of his MLS regular season appearances in 2014 and recorded a career-high four assists. He was voted onto the AT&T MLS All-Star Best XI and helped his hometown team win the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Supporters’ Shield.
Sounders FC reached an agreement in August to transfer Yedlin to Tottenham Hotspur of the Barclays Premier League following the 2014 MLS season.
