U.S. Soccer Extended National Team Player of the Year Nominees Announced for 2025 Season

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U.S. SOCCER

(Atlanta = Won Jeong) U.S. Soccer has announced the nominees for its 2025 Extended National Teams (ENT) Player of the Year awards, as well as the ADAPTandTHRIVE Disability Award. This recognition celebrates the top performers across various alternative forms of the game, including Beach Soccer, Futsal, Cerebral Palsy (CP) Soccer, Deaf Soccer, and Power Soccer.

Voting is now open and concludes on Friday, December 19, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The winners are scheduled to be announced in January 2026. The final tally is determined by a weighted vote that includes players, coaches, staff, the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, and a 15% fan vote on the official website.

🌟 2025: A Year of Historic ENT Achievements

The 2025 season was marked by major tournament successes across the ENT programs:

  • CP Soccer celebrated major tournament victories, with the Men’s team claiming the Copa América and the Women’s team winning the IFCPF Intercontinental Cup. Nominees include Golden Glove winner Marc Estrella, leading goal contributor Shea Hammond, and captain Ben Lindau for the men’s team. For the women’s team, nominees are Golden Boot winner Jesslyn Kuhnel, Golden Ball winner Cassidy Leake, and Joey Martin, who scored five goals after recently becoming cancer-free.

  • The Deaf Women’s National Team secured a record fifth Deaflympics gold medal. Defender Sydney Andrews, midfield catalyst Holly Hunter, and leading scorer Emily Spreeman (who capped her international career with 50 goals) are all nominees.

  • The Power Soccer National Team secured the APFC America’s Cup title and qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Co-captains Jordan Dickey and Riley Johnson (team-leading 8 goals, including the America’s Cup final winner) are nominated alongside striker Pete Winslow, who delivered a team-high nine assists.

In Beach Soccer, nominees include women’s leading scorer Hannah Adler and men’s goal contribution leader Gabe Silveira (3 goals, 2 assists). For Female Futsal Player of the Year, the finalists are Jeanette Fieldsend (scored the team’s first-ever goals) and top scorer Sarah Martin (10 goal contributions).

💖 Recognizing Inclusivity: The ADAPTandTHRIVE Disability Award

The ADAPTandTHRIVE Disability Award celebrates individuals and organizations that have significantly promoted inclusivity within the soccer community. The nominees are:

  • The Atlanta Amputee Soccer Association (AASA), which has grown into a supportive community for various adaptive athletes.

  • Ryan Kenneally, who founded the first power soccer program in Oregon (Power Soccer PDX/Rose City Renegades), leaving a legacy of access and dignity.

  • Mallorie LaFarge, who chaired and launched the first national TOPSoccer festival and coaching event in Kansas.

Fans are encouraged to cast their vote on the U.S. Soccer website to support these deserving athletes and contributors.

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