Shearer's right: Isak & Newcastle ARE title dark horses

Bayern Munich are rivalling Liverpool for contract chaos!

Welcome to Amad Diallo's world 

Man City need January signings to keep WSL title hopes alive

Madrid's biggest problem? They've still not replaced Kroos

'Who does he think he is?' - Keane slams 'rubbish' Stewart

Zlatan offers brutal response to Ronaldo’s Ligue 1 criticism

That's why Real Madrid signed Endrick!

Endrick dedicates goals to team-mate that 'never praises me'

Klopp to hold party for Liverpool players if Man City are stripped of titles 

Where would Man Utd be without Amad?

What Haaland's 10-year mega deal means for City - and football

Pep's daughter releases emotional interview after his shock split from wife

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Robinson wins U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year</li><li>Second defender to win award since 1995</li><li>Currently third in Premier League in assists</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n">Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

VIDEO: USMNT star Antonee Robinson surprised by legend Tim Howard with U.S. Soccer's Male Player of the Year honor

On NBC's Premier League Mornings show Sunday, Tim Howard surprised Antonee Robinson by informing him that he had been named U.S. Soccer's Male Player of the Year. Robinson has been told he'd be doing a standard interview with Howard, only to be surprised with the revelation that he'd won the award.Robinson beat out a list of nominees including Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Tim Ream, earning 55 percent of the weighted vote total. The Fulham star is the first defender to win the award this century, with Oguchi Onyewu as the only other. The last defender to win prior to Onyewu was Alexi Lalas, who claimed the award in 1995.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The moment Antonee heard the news. <a href="https://twitter.com/TimHowardGK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimHowardGK</a> reveals the 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award win to <a href="https://twitter.com/Antonee_Jedi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Antonee_Jedi</a>. 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/E6s9uLqXGc">pic.twitter.com/E6s9uLqXGc</a>— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1875901525836313041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WATCH THE CLIP

“It’s an incredible honor,” said Robinson. “Representing our country isn’t something you do for individual accolades. It’s always about putting the team first and trying to do my best for the boys and for the country, so do be rewarded for that is an amazing feeling.”"I probably looked a little silly because I was shocked! I thought it was just a random interview with Tim about how the season was going, so when he told me I’d won I was just in disbelief because it was the last thing I expected. Obviously, Tim had an incredible career with the national team and throughout his club football so it was a thrill to have that news delivered by him.”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Better and better, year after year. What a 2024 from <a href="https://twitter.com/Antonee_Jedi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Antonee_Jedi</a>. 📈 <a href="https://t.co/j3RVkPrD1B">pic.twitter.com/j3RVkPrD1B</a>— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1875899501459984521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WHAT ROBINSON SAID

Robinson's win comes as a result of a fantastic 2024 run which saw him shine for both club and country.On the club level, Robinson has proven to be one of the Premier League's best fullbacks, if not the best, so far this season. He's tied for third in the league in assists, trailing only superstars Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka, and was named Fulham's Player of the Season for his contributions during the 2023-24 campaign. Robinson is the third current or former Fulham player to win the award, joining Clint Dempsey and Kasey Keller.For the national team, Robinson featured 11 times in 2024, helping preserve four clean sheets. In addition, he provided a massive assist in the USMNT's win over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal. In total in 2024, Robinson played the second-most minutes and second-most matches in a calendar year since making his USMNT debut back in 2018.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<table><tbody><tr><td>Year</td><td>Male Player of the Year</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Antonee Robinson</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Christian Pulisic (4)</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Tyler Adams</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Christian Pulisic (3)</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Weston McKennie</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Christian Pulisic (2)</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Zack Steffen</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Christian Pulisic</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Jozy Altidore (2)</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Michael Bradley</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Tim Howard</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Jozy Altidore</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td>Clint Dempsey (3)</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Clint Dempsey (2)</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>Landon Donovan (4)</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>Landon Donovan (3)</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Tim Howard</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Clint Dempsey</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>Oguchi Onyewu</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Kasey Keller (3)</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Landon Donovan (2)</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Landon Donovan</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Brad Friedel</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Earnie Stewart</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>Chris Armas</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Kasey Keller (2)</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>Cobi Jones</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>Kasey Keller</td></tr></tbody></table>

EVERY USMNT PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNER

The USMNT fullback helped Fulham rally for a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town Sunday. Fulham next play Watford in the FA Cup on Jan. 9.

WHAT NEXT FOR ROBINSON?

VIDEO: USMNT star Antonee Robinson surprised by legend Tim Howard with U.S. Soccer's Male Player of the Year honor | Goal.com

Antonee Robinson has been named U.S. Soccer&apos;s Male Player of the Year, with U.S. men&apos;s national team legend Tim Howard surprising him with the award.