One of the best things of the beautiful game is that every player has to help out in every phase, but no position is called upon to work harder than midfielders.
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Here are the nominees for Best Men’s Midfielder of the Year:
Edson Alvarez became a regular with Ajax, winning the 2020-21 Eredivisie crown and the Dutch Cup. He also made the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Best XI after helping El Tricolor to a runner-up finish and getting to the final of the Concacaf Nations League. Alvarez also played in six World Cup qualification matches in 2021.
Kellyn Acosta had a banner year for the United States, lifting the CNL trophy and the Gold Cup. Acosta appeared in 21 of 22 U.S. men’s national team games (the most by any U.S. player since 1994) and was the only U.S. player to see time in all three wins over Mexico in 2021 in the CNL, Gold Cup and World Cup qualification.
Tyler Adams was a key player for the U.S. in the CNL Final win against Mexico and in World Cup qualification. He also had a good club season, earning runner-up in the Bundesliga with Red Bull Leipzig and finishing as runner-up in the DFB Pokal.
Adalberto Carrasquilla was the metronome for Panama as the team made the final round of World Cup qualification, playing 10 matches in 2021. He also stood out in the region’s club game, making 10 appearances with the Houston Dynamo on loan from Spanish club Cartagena.
Sebastian Cordova was busy in 2021 for club and country. He played in all six of Mexico’s bronze-medal winning campaign in Tokyo and played four matches of World Cup qualification, on top of winning Golden Boot honors in Mexico’s Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship title run. He also scored three goals for America in 2021, finishing runner-up in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League before transferring to Tigres.
Carles Gil earned the MLS MVP award after registering 18 assists, an MLS-record 130 chances created and starred for the New England Revolution as they earned the Supporters’ Shield and a spot in the SCCL.
Stephen Eustaquio made his debut in an official match with Canada in 2021 and followed it with plenty more, finishing the year with 11 starts in World Cup qualification, as Canada made it undefeated through the year in WCQ. Eustaquio also played in four Gold Cup matches, being a fixture in the center for Canada and excelled with club side Pacos de Ferreira, earning a winter move to Porto.
Hector Herrera was named the Golden Ball winner after his standout showings for Mexico in the 2021 Gold Cup. The team finished second in that tournament and in the CNL. Herrera also made 16 appearances in the 2020-21 La Liga season for Atletico Madrid and got to the Round of 16 in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.
Weston McKennie enjoyed a double with his club in 2021, becoming the first U.S. player to win the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup. He also netted the 2-2 equalizer in the CNL final, helping him land the Man of the Match award for that game, plus earning a spot on the CNL Best XI.
Carlos Rodriguez and his Monterrey teammates lifted the SCCL trophy, beating Club America in the final after a strong campaign. “Charly” also performed well with Mexico, finishing runner up of the CNL and played in five matches as Mexico won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
