Dempsey repeats as U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year

• by Soccer America , Nov 19, 2012

[AWARDS] Clint Dempsey joined Landon Donovan as the only player to win back-to-back awards as the U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year.

The Male Athlete of the Year honor is the third for Dempsey, who previously won in 2007 and 2011. Donovan won in 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2010. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller is the only player to win as many as three times (1997, 1999 and 2005).

Dempsey led U.S. scorers in 2012 with six goals, including five in the semifinal round of 2014 World Cup Qualifying. The forward was also a big part of the USA's memorable win against Italy on Feb. 29, tallying the lone goal in the 1-0 victory in Genoa. He now has 30 goals in his career, tied with Brian McBride for third all-time.

U.S. U-17 Rubio Rubin was named the 2012 Young Male Athlete of the Year and Felicia Schroeder, who helped the USA win a gold medal at the World Deaf Football Championships and plays professionally in the Sweden, was named the 2012 Disabled Athlete of the Year.

Online votes registered on U.S. Soccer's Facebook Page counted for 50 percent of the total votes, while the other 50 percent was represented by votes compiled from members of the national media and U.S. Soccer representatives, including national team coaches and members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors.

Nominees for Female and Young Female Athletes of the Year will be announced Monday with voting on U.S. Soccer's Facebook Page running throughout the week until Dec. 1.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
1984: Rick Davis
1985: Perry Van der Beck
1986: Paul Caligiuri
1987: Brent Goulet
1988: Peter Vermes
1989: Mike Windischmann
1990: Tab Ramos
1991: Hugo Perez
1992: Marcelo Balboa
1993: Thomas Dooley
1994: Marcelo Balboa
1995: Alexi Lalas
1996: Eric Wynalda
1997: Kasey Keller
1998: Cobi Jones
1999: Kasey Keller
2000: Chris Armas
2001: Earnie Stewart
2002: Brad Friedel
2003: Landon Donovan
2004: Landon Donovan
2005: Kasey Keller
2006: Oguchi Onyewu
2007: Clint Dempsey
2008: Tim Howard
2009: Landon Donovan
2010: Landon Donovan
2011: Clint Dempsey
2012: Clint Dempsey