The 2012 U.S. National Team Awards
By Doug McIntyre
ESPN INSIDER
On the final day of 2012, it's a good time dole out some year-end awards -- based on performance with the national team -- to the most deserving U.S. players.
Most Valuable Player: Michael Bradley
No surprise here after Bradley headlined our recent ranking of the Top 25 American players. In fairness, Clint Dempsey's spectacular goal-scoring record in 2012 could make him co-MVP. But Bradley's value to the U.S. team was underscored when he missed two September qualifiers, including a road loss in Jamaica. Before and after those games, Bradley established himself as the Yanks' most indispensible, irreplaceable player, and the future U.S. captain became more of a leader on and off the field along the way. He adapted to different roles seamlessly and added improved playmaking and scoring ability (see below) to his already sound defensive game. And at 25, Bradley could have a stranglehold on this award for years to come.
Rookie of the Year: Graham Zusi
Terrence Boyd received consideration for this award, open to any player who earned his first senior team cap in 2012. Boyd made seven appearances this year -- including minutes against top-10 teams Italy, Brazil and Russia -- but it's hard to argue against Zusi. The Sporting Kansas City midfielder scored a game-winning goal in Panama in just his second international appearance, and when he had a chance to start for the first team in a World Cup qualifier against Jamaica in September, he took full advantage. With Landon Donovan still nursing an injury, Zusi, 26, remained in the U.S. lineup for the Yanks' final three qualifiers, in which he proved a capable understudy to the Americans' career scoring leader.
Most Improved Player: Geoff Cameron
Cameron's eight-month rise from January camp to automatic first-team starter was nothing short of astonishing. The Rhode Island product had made only one U.S. appearance entering 2012, and it's not as if Camp Cupcake went perfectly; Cameron was sent off in the B-squad's 1-0 win in Panama. But Cameron, a dedicated student of the game, did enough to impress Jurgen Klinsmann with his intelligence and work ethic, earning him a February trip to Italy, then an invite to the May camp. Spending time with the varsity helped Cameron continue to improve. In June, he passed the ultimate test after coming off the bench in a road qualifier in Guatemala. The 27-year-old went on to start the final six matches of the year. His club career in Europe in the Prem is also flourishing.
Comeback Player of the Year: Eddie Johnson
Johnson won the MLS version of this award in 2012, and he's even more deserving of it with the national team. The athletic striker first burst onto the senior team scene way back in 2004, scoring five goals in his first three games. He made the World Cup squad in 2006 but had just three goals in 23 games for the Yanks from 2007 to 2010. In 2011, he wasn't called in at all. But Johnson parlayed a strong 2012 season with the Seattle Sounders into an invite from Klinsmann -- who cited EJ's aerial ability -- for a pair of crucial World Cup qualifiers in October. Not only did Johnson's two headed goals in Antigua (including the stoppage-time winner) make the coach look smart, they also eased the pressure on the Americans considerably entering their final qualifier against Guatemala, which EJ also started. Needless to say, Johnson heads into 2013 firmly in Klinsmann's plans.
Golden Boot: Clint Dempsey
There can be no debate about this award. Dempsey led all U.S. players with six goals in 2012, double the number of his closest challengers. (Landon Donovan and Herculez Gomez had three goals each.) The efficiency and timeliness of Dempsey's finishing was even more impressive; Deuce averaged a goal every 126 minutes in 2012, the best scoring rate for an American with at least nine appearances since Donovan netted a goal every 106 minutes in 2007. Five of Dempsey's tallies this year came in World Cup qualifying matches; the other was the game winner in February's historic friendly victory in Italy.
Save of the Year: Tim Howard vs. Mexico (Aug. 15)
The Yanks don't beat archrival El Tri -- and end a 25-match winless streak south of the border in the process -- if the U.S. keeper doesn't make two key saves on Manchester United striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez inside the final 10 minutes. Howard's first stop was particularly impressive. Hernandez pounced on a poor clearance inside the 18-yard box and sent a shot toward Howard's right, but the ball deflected off U.S defender Fabian Johnson and headed toward the goalie's left. Somehow Howard was able to change direction mid-dive, scrambling back to prevent the ball from crossing the line. In a season of superhuman saves by Howard, this one was almost certainly his best, and most timely.
Goal of the Year: Michael Bradley vs. Russia (Nov. 14)
Deciding between the goal Bradley scored in Krasnodar in November and the one he hit against Scotland back in May isn't easy. There's no question that both were spectacular. But since we have to choose, the strike against Russia takes the prize, if only because it came against a tougher opponent, on the road, from a full volley.
Assist of the Year: Jozy Altidore and Fabian Johnson vs. Italy (Feb. 29)
A well-worked goal is a thing of beauty, and assists don't come much prettier than the ones Johnson and Altidore picked up on Dempsey's game-winner in Genoa. After Bradley got the ball out wide, Johnson's cross from the left found Altidore posted up near the Azzurri's penalty spot. With his back to goal, Altidore held off his defender and found Dempsey, who coolly slotted past all-world Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon with an against-the-grain shot. A nice goal to be sure -- but it can't happen without the setup.
By Doug McIntyre
ESPN INSIDER
On the final day of 2012, it's a good time dole out some year-end awards -- based on performance with the national team -- to the most deserving U.S. players.
Most Valuable Player: Michael Bradley
No surprise here after Bradley headlined our recent ranking of the Top 25 American players. In fairness, Clint Dempsey's spectacular goal-scoring record in 2012 could make him co-MVP. But Bradley's value to the U.S. team was underscored when he missed two September qualifiers, including a road loss in Jamaica. Before and after those games, Bradley established himself as the Yanks' most indispensible, irreplaceable player, and the future U.S. captain became more of a leader on and off the field along the way. He adapted to different roles seamlessly and added improved playmaking and scoring ability (see below) to his already sound defensive game. And at 25, Bradley could have a stranglehold on this award for years to come.
Rookie of the Year: Graham Zusi
Terrence Boyd received consideration for this award, open to any player who earned his first senior team cap in 2012. Boyd made seven appearances this year -- including minutes against top-10 teams Italy, Brazil and Russia -- but it's hard to argue against Zusi. The Sporting Kansas City midfielder scored a game-winning goal in Panama in just his second international appearance, and when he had a chance to start for the first team in a World Cup qualifier against Jamaica in September, he took full advantage. With Landon Donovan still nursing an injury, Zusi, 26, remained in the U.S. lineup for the Yanks' final three qualifiers, in which he proved a capable understudy to the Americans' career scoring leader.
Most Improved Player: Geoff Cameron
Cameron's eight-month rise from January camp to automatic first-team starter was nothing short of astonishing. The Rhode Island product had made only one U.S. appearance entering 2012, and it's not as if Camp Cupcake went perfectly; Cameron was sent off in the B-squad's 1-0 win in Panama. But Cameron, a dedicated student of the game, did enough to impress Jurgen Klinsmann with his intelligence and work ethic, earning him a February trip to Italy, then an invite to the May camp. Spending time with the varsity helped Cameron continue to improve. In June, he passed the ultimate test after coming off the bench in a road qualifier in Guatemala. The 27-year-old went on to start the final six matches of the year. His club career in Europe in the Prem is also flourishing.
Comeback Player of the Year: Eddie Johnson
Johnson won the MLS version of this award in 2012, and he's even more deserving of it with the national team. The athletic striker first burst onto the senior team scene way back in 2004, scoring five goals in his first three games. He made the World Cup squad in 2006 but had just three goals in 23 games for the Yanks from 2007 to 2010. In 2011, he wasn't called in at all. But Johnson parlayed a strong 2012 season with the Seattle Sounders into an invite from Klinsmann -- who cited EJ's aerial ability -- for a pair of crucial World Cup qualifiers in October. Not only did Johnson's two headed goals in Antigua (including the stoppage-time winner) make the coach look smart, they also eased the pressure on the Americans considerably entering their final qualifier against Guatemala, which EJ also started. Needless to say, Johnson heads into 2013 firmly in Klinsmann's plans.
Golden Boot: Clint Dempsey
There can be no debate about this award. Dempsey led all U.S. players with six goals in 2012, double the number of his closest challengers. (Landon Donovan and Herculez Gomez had three goals each.) The efficiency and timeliness of Dempsey's finishing was even more impressive; Deuce averaged a goal every 126 minutes in 2012, the best scoring rate for an American with at least nine appearances since Donovan netted a goal every 106 minutes in 2007. Five of Dempsey's tallies this year came in World Cup qualifying matches; the other was the game winner in February's historic friendly victory in Italy.
Save of the Year: Tim Howard vs. Mexico (Aug. 15)
The Yanks don't beat archrival El Tri -- and end a 25-match winless streak south of the border in the process -- if the U.S. keeper doesn't make two key saves on Manchester United striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez inside the final 10 minutes. Howard's first stop was particularly impressive. Hernandez pounced on a poor clearance inside the 18-yard box and sent a shot toward Howard's right, but the ball deflected off U.S defender Fabian Johnson and headed toward the goalie's left. Somehow Howard was able to change direction mid-dive, scrambling back to prevent the ball from crossing the line. In a season of superhuman saves by Howard, this one was almost certainly his best, and most timely.
Goal of the Year: Michael Bradley vs. Russia (Nov. 14)
Deciding between the goal Bradley scored in Krasnodar in November and the one he hit against Scotland back in May isn't easy. There's no question that both were spectacular. But since we have to choose, the strike against Russia takes the prize, if only because it came against a tougher opponent, on the road, from a full volley.
Assist of the Year: Jozy Altidore and Fabian Johnson vs. Italy (Feb. 29)
A well-worked goal is a thing of beauty, and assists don't come much prettier than the ones Johnson and Altidore picked up on Dempsey's game-winner in Genoa. After Bradley got the ball out wide, Johnson's cross from the left found Altidore posted up near the Azzurri's penalty spot. With his back to goal, Altidore held off his defender and found Dempsey, who coolly slotted past all-world Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon with an against-the-grain shot. A nice goal to be sure -- but it can't happen without the setup.
