2012 CONCACAF Player of the Year (EDITED – WITH WINNERS!)
Posted on December 11, 2012 10:51 am
A lot of people don’t realize the proud and distinguished history of this award. Long considered the poor relation of world soccer, the nations of North America, Central America and the Caribbean have provided some of the most legendary names and some of the greatest performances in the game. And yet, it’s commonly thought that CONCACAF doesn’t even recognize its best players.
Well, over the years, I’ve addressed that misconception. The Ballon d’Or has become a snooty circle-jerk, pretending that the soccer world doesn’t exist outside two cities in Spain. FIFA’s female player of the year voting has been worthless.
The CONCACAF Player of the Year award, on the other hand, is the one award that both reaches out to today’s fans and celebrates the region’s history.
Now it’s your turn to voice your opinion. Who was the region’s best this year?
Chicharito and Alex Morgan. Okay, then, that was easy. See you next year!
EDIT – STOP THE PIXELS
Massive reader input – polite and well-reasoned, which, well, I just don’t know how to deal with – has changed my heart. Congratulations to Oribe Peralta of Santos Laguna.
And, on second thought, I’m going to go with Christine Sinclair after all. I’m too biased towards Americans, Morgan padded her stats with recent big totals over scrubs, and I kind of thought the Olympic gold required an American rep here, but why? Sinclair’s supporting cast really was worse by a long shot. Also I want to troll USWNT fans.
CONCACAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Historical winners
Male Player of the Year:
1916: Thomas Swords, Fall River Rovers/United States
1917: Thomas Swords, Fall River Rovers/United States
1918: Harry Ratican, Bethlehem Steel/United States
1919: John “Jock” Ferguson, Bethlehem Steel/United States
1920: Jimmy Dunn, St. Louis Ben Millers/United States
1921: Harold Brittan, Philadelphia Field Club/England
1922: Harold Brittan, Philadelphia Field Club/England
1923: Tommy “Whitey” Fleming, J&P Coats/Scotland
1924: Archie Stark, Bethlehem Steel/United States
1925: Archie Stark, Bethlehem Steel/United States
1926: James “Tec” White, Fall River Marksmen/Scotland
1927: Davie Brown, New York Giants/United States
1928: Barney Battles, Boston Wonder Workers/United States
1929: James “Tec” White, Fall River Marksmen/Scotland
1930: Bert Patenaude, Fall River Marksmen/United States
1931: Billy Gonsalves, New York Yankees/United States
1932: Bert Patenaude, New York Giants/United States
1933: Billy Gonsalves, St. Louis Stix, Baer & Fuller/United States
1934: Aldo “Buff” Donelli, Curry Silver Tops/United States
1935: Hilario “Moco” Lopez, Necaxa/Mexico
1936: Joe Kennaway, Glasgow Celtic/Canada
1937: Joe Kennaway, Glasgow Celtic/Canada
1938: Joe Kennaway, Glasgow Celtic/Canada
1939: Bert Patenaude, Philadelphia Passon/United States
1940: Charley Ernst, Baltimore FC/United States
1941: Martin Vantolra, Atlante/Spain
1942: Rafael “Tico” Meza, Moctezuma/Costa Rica
1943: Manuel Alonso, Marte/Mexico
1944: Billy Gonsalves, Brooklyn Hispano/United States
1945: Roberto Aballay, Asturias/Argentina
1946: Isidro Langara, Espana/Spain
1947: Adalberto “Dumbo” Lopez, Leon/Mexico
1948: Adalberto “Dumbo” Lopez, Leon/Mexico
1949: Adalberto “Dumbo” Lopez, Leon/Mexico
1950: Frank Borghi, St. Louis Simpkins Ford/United States
1951: Jack Cowan, Dundee FC/Canada
1952: Alex Sanchez Cruz “El Nene”, Saprissa/Costa Rica
1953: Antonio Carbajal, Leon/Mexico
1954: Jose Luis Lamadrid, Necaxa/Mexico
1955: Julio Palleiro, Necaxa/Uruguay
1956: Antonio Carbajal, Leon/Mexico
1957: Antonio Carbajal, Leon/Mexico
1958: Carlos “Charro” Lara, Zacatepec/Argentina
1959: Errol Crossan, Norwich City/Canada
1960: Salvador Reyes, Guadalajara/Mexico
1961: Antonio Carbajal, Leon/Mexico
1962: Salvador Reyes, Guadalajara/Mexico
1963: Amaury Epaminondas, Oro/Brazil
1964: Jose Cardona, Atletico Madrid/Honduras
1965: Jose Cardona, Atletico Madrid/Honduras
1966: Jose Alves “Zague”, Club America/Brazil
1967: Amaury Epaminondas, Toluca/Brazil
1968: Fernando “El Principe” Hernandez, Saprissa/Costa Rica
1969: Gustavo “Halcon” Pena, Cruz Azul/Mexico
1970: Ignacio Calderon, Guadalajara/Mexico
1971: Enrique Borja, Club America/Mexico
1972: Horacio Lopez Salgado, Cruz Azul/Mexico
1973: Javier “Kaliman” Guzman, Cruz Azul/Mexico
1974: Emmanuel “Manno” Sanon, Don Bosco Petion-Ville/Haiti
1975: Cabinho, UNAM/Brazil
1976: Pele, New York Cosmos/Brazil
1977: Franz Beckenbauer, New York Cosmos/West Germany
1978: Cristobal Ortega, Club America/Mexico
1979: Bob Lenarduzzi, Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada
1980: Giorgio Chinaglia, New York Cosmos/Italy
1981: Jorge “Magico” Gonzalez, C.D. FAS/El Salvador
1982: Gilberto Yearwood, Real Valladolid/Honduras
1983: Victor Moreland, Tulsa Roughnecks/Northern Ireland
1984: Rick Davis, New York Cosmos/United States
1985: Hugo Sanchez, Real Madrid/Mexico
1986: Hugo Sanchez, Real Madrid/Mexico
1987: Hugo Sanchez, Real Madrid/Mexico
1988: Hugo Sanchez, Real Madrid/Mexico
1989: Paul Caligiuri, Hansa Rostock/United States
1990: Hugo Sanchez, Real Madrid/Mexico
1991: Hugo Perez, United States
1992: Claudio Suarez, UNAM/Mexico
1993: Luis Roberto Alves “Zague,” Necaxa/Mexico
1994: Tab Ramos, Real Betis/United States
1995: Alexi Lalas, Padova/United States
1996: Marco Etcheverry, DC United/Bolivia
1997: Carlos Hermosillo, Cruz Azul/Mexico
1998: Luis Hernandez, Necaxa/Mexico
1999: Dwight Yorke, Manchester United/Trinidad & Tobago
2000: Rafael Marquez, AS Monaco/Mexico
2001: Paolo Wanchope, Manchester City/Costa Rica
2002: Brad Friedel, Blackburn Rovers/United States
2003: Landon Donovan, San Jose Earthquakes/United States
2004: Roberto Brown, FC Sheriff (Moldova)/Panama
2005: Kasey Keller, Borussia Moenchengladbach/United States
2006: Oswaldo Sanchez, Guadalajara/Mexico
2007: Pavel Pardo, Stuttgart/Mexico
2008: Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew/Argentina
2009: Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy/United States
2010: Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy/United States
2011: Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Manchester United/Mexico
2012: Oribe Peralta, Santos Laguna/Mexico
Female Player of the Year:
1985: Sharon Remer, United States
1986: April Heinrichs, United States
1987: Carin Jennings, United States
1988: Joy Biefeld (Fawcett), United States
1989: April Heinrichs, United States
1990: Michelle Akers-Stahl, United States
1991: Michelle Akers-Stahl, United States
1992: Carin Gabarra, United States
1993: Kristine Lilly, United States
1994: Mia Hamm, United States
1995: Mia Hamm, United States
1996: Mia Hamm, United States
1997: Mia Hamm, United States
1998: Mia Hamm, United States
1999: Michelle Akers, United States
2000: Tiffeny Milbrett, United States
2001: Tiffeny Milbrett, New York Power/United States
2002: Birgit Prinz, Carolina Courage/Germany
2003: Maren Meinert, Boston Breakers/Germany
2004: Abby Wambach, Washington Freedom/United States
2005: Christine Sinclair, University of Portland/Canada
2006: Kristine Lilly, United States
2007: Abby Wambach, United States
2008: Hope Solo, United States
2009: Christie Rampone, Sky Blue FC/United States
2010: Christine Sinclair, FC Gold Pride/Canada
2011: Abby Wambach, United States
2012: Christine Sinclair, Canada
(Yeah, I know, I thought I had lost this when I gave up my vanity site. But it lives! You guys won’t appreciate this – nor should you – but to this day I agonize about Magico over Karl-Heinz Granitza.)
I am not sure that I understand the criteria for this award.
It looks like it can be either players from CONCACAF countries playing anywhere, or players from anywhere playing on a team in a CONCACAF country.
Nevertheless the glaring omission is Ruud Gullit, (and perhaps
Joe Gaetjens).
Oribe Peralta
My vote on the men’s side would go to Oribe Peralta as well – he nearly led Santos to a CCL title, got them to win the Mexican Clausura (ending an embarrassing streak of runners-up finishes) and of course won Olympic gold.
On the women’s side: Christine Sinclair. Why? Based on this line of questioning: where would the US be without Alex Morgan, and where would Canada be without Sinclair?
I show my age, I guess, when I call it “George Weah rules,” but it’s based on when Weah won European footballer of the year.
I suppose I could formalize rules a bit more clearly, if the whole thing wasn’t supposed to be meant to shame actual authorities and media into doing it. My feeling: Robbie Keane plays for a CONCACAF club, and is eligible. Chicharito plays for a CONCACAF national team, is eligible. Giuseppe Rossi does neither, and is not eligible (this would also cover Gullit).
Dunno if Peralta tops Chicharito – guy was player of the month for United twice this season already. Dunno if Sinclair tops Morgan either, although I’m willing to listen.
I love Gaetjens, too, but Borghi over him easy. Walter Bahr is a bigger omission, but there were a surprising amount of North American stars in the fifties – and the US were not a complete train wreck for one year only.
The case for Peralta:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=IoDSHsoO6Z0#t=166s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=IoDSHsoO6Z0#t=166s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ze8AgkB64U
@Paul Two words: Swimsuit Edition.
I didn’t even know there was an award for Concacaf Player of the Year.
@NASLRef. Why is Gullit an omission? He has been Dutch for his entire life. It’s his father that was born in Surinam. Yes, he was eligible under FIFA’s rules to choose Surinam for his “soccer nationality,” but he didn’t.
I agree with Dan’s 1950 selection. Gaetjens got the fame for scoring the goal, but Borghi was the real hero of that game.
Sorry, the second Peralta link should have been:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xOSjrPUEdro#t=129s
No need to agonize over including el Magico it is the right call.
I would have to go with Peralta as well. He scored 9 goals in the 6 semi final and final ties he played. 4 of his goals ended up being game winners.
More on Oribe… he scored 30 goals in all competitions this year and probably would have had more were it not for a knock he picked up in the C12 final right before the Tri’s June program (he missed 5 games). Javier has had a nice resurgance this season but he spent the first half of 2012 in a massive slump.
I would have to go with Chicharito, two player of the month awards in a row at Manchester Utd. is really impressive, plus he’s about to hit a century of appearences for United, and his goals per minute ratio is only second to Kun Aguero in Premier League history.
Also, Peralta kind of had a slump in form over the last Apertura tournament, still a tough vote though, I like them both.
…I forgot to mention Carlos Vela
“2004: Roberto Brown, FC Sheriff (Moldova)/Panama”
This one is weird. I had no idea. And I’ve even got a Sheriff jersey.
Alex Morgan: 28 goals, 20 assists this year. Only the second player in the USWNT 20/20 club. Some of her goals and assists were vitally important. Easy call.
On the men’s side, I’m registering a protest vote for Jozy Altidore.
Oribe Peralta 2nd place in 2012 Concachampions, 2012 Clasura Title, and 2012 Gold Medal with 2 goals in the final. There really is no other choice.
I’d also go for Oribe Peralta
I ill second everybody.amd vote for Peralta. Sure Hernandez has been in incredible form lately but that is not enough to make.up.for his.slump earlier in the year. Just bc he plays in Europe does bot mean he is head and shouldera above all players playing in North Amrrica.
As mentioned before Peralta had a tremendous yeata scoring over 30 goals and leadimg his team to a championship
Most importantly he played an instrumental role in Mexico’s gold medal winning team. The highest achievement in not only Mexico.NT history but also in all.of CONCACAF.
Dempsey had a better 2012 than Chicharito. He was pants last year for United. He’s made a good start this year, but three good months does not automatically give you an award for an entire year.
Huh…I’m getting convinced here about Peralta. I honestly thought I’d get more pushback for Sinclair.
I thought “But it’s Manchester Freaking United” would cut more ice, since that’s what usually I saw when putting Donovan over Cheech Wizard.
Keep the opinions coming. If I’m going to act like this is a Thing, I might as well act like it’s a Thing.
Respect to Kristine Lilly for the span of her two award wins.
1993: Kristine Lilly, United States
…
2006: Kristine Lilly, United States
Not only is Lilly’s fake award impressive, she was actually the USSF player of the year in ’93 and ’06 in real life, too.
@Dan and Roger: Thanks for the input. Back in the day I had heard officials in CONCACAF say that two of the best players in Europe were from CONCACAF, Sanchez and Gullit. I never checked into where Gullit was actually born, although of course I knew he played for Holland, which according to the criteria now given, makes him ineligible anyway!
I know that Borghi made a lot of amazing saves in THAT match, but without the goal it would have been a 0-0 draw. Still I have no problem with the original selection as posted, just wanted to add to the discussion.
I’d vote for Oribe, dude was on fire and came through when it mattered.
I’m with @slaminsams. If this list didn’t include Magico Gonzalez it would be a shame.
Loney, you know that you thought love was just for fairytales.
You thought it wasn’t for you.
But then you saw his face…
Now you are an Oribeliever.
Is this a genuine award or something that Dan Loey has created himself to honour players from bygone eras?
I hadn’t heard of it before and CONCACAF.com has no information on it. The list also includes years that pre-date the CONCACAF organisation (formed in 1961).
The Moreno one seems awkward, especially as in 2004 Rafa Márquez was in the cusp of his powers at Barcelona. Also, what is Marco Etcheverry doing there?
Hernandez and Dempsey don’t deserve it. They are playing well with their clubs but didn’t do much in concacaf this past year.
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