“Young Player” is defined as a player aged 22 years of age during the season of awarding.
2021: Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas)
FINALISTS:
- Julián Araujo (LA Galaxy)
- Tajon Buchanan (New England Revolution)
- Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas)
2020: Diego Rossi (Los Angeles Football Club)
FINALISTS:
- Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union)
- Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC)
- Diego Rossi (Los Angeles Football Club)
Awarded from 1996-2019, the MLS Rookie of the Year was the best young performer who had no prior professional soccer playing experience before his MLS debut and/or had completed his college/high school eligibility within the previous year.
2019: Andre Shinyashiki (Colorado Rapids)
FINALISTS:
- Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union)
- Hassani Dotson (Minnesota United FC)
- Andre Shinyashiki (Colorado Rapids)
2018: Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake)
FINALISTS:
- Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake)
- Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union)
- Chris Mueller (Orlando City SC)
2017: Julian Gressel (Atlanta United)
FINALISTS:
- Abu Danladi (Minnesota United FC)
- Jack Elliott (Philadelphia Union)
- Julian Gressel (Atlanta United)
2016: Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
FINALISTS:
- Jack Harrison (New York City FC)
- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
- Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union)
2015: Cyle Larin (Orlando City SC)
FINALISTS:
- Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes)
- Cyle Larin (Orlando City SC)
- Matt Polster (Chicago Fire)
2014: Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas)
FINALISTS:
- Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas)
- Steven Birnbaum (D.C. United)
- Harrison Shipp (Chicago Fire)
2013: Dillon Powers (Colorado Rapids)
FINALISTS:
- Deshorn Brown (Colorado Rapids)
- Dillon Powers (Colorado Rapids)
- DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
2012: Austin Berry (Chicago Fire)
FINALISTS:
- Austin Berry (Chicago Fire)
- Nick DeLeon (D.C. United)
- Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
2011: C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City)
FINALISTS:
- Michael Farfan (Philadelphia Union)
- Perry Kitchen (D.C. United)
- C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City)
2010: Andy Najar (D.C. United)
FINALISTS:
- Danny Mwanga (Philadelphia Union)
- Andy Najar (D.C. United)
- Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)
2009: Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy)
FINALISTS:
- Stefan Frei (Toronto FC)
- Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy)
- Chris Pontius (D.C. United)
2008: Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy)
FINALISTS:
- Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo)
- Kheli Dube (New England Revolution)
- Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy)
2007: Maurice Edu (Toronto FC)
FINALISTS:
- Adam Cristman (New England Revolution)
- Maurice Edu (Toronto FC)
- Dane Richards (New York Red Bulls)
2006: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA)
FINALISTS:
- Mehdi Ballouchy (Real Salt Lake)
- Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA)
- Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA)
2005: Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)
FINALISTS:
- Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)
- Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)
- Scott Sealy (Kansas City Wizards)
2004: Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution)
FINALISTS:
- Freddy Adu (D.C. United)
- Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution)
- Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew)
2003: Damani Ralph (Chicago Fire)
FINALISTS:
- Damani Ralph (Chicago Fire)
- Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
- Ricardo Clark (MetroStars)
2002: Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew)
FINALISTS:
- Brad Davis (MetroStars)
- Kelly Gray (Chicago Fire)
- Kyle Martino (Columbus Crew)
2001: Rodrigo Faria (MetroStars)
FINALISTS:
- Rodrigo Faria (MetroStars)
- Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)
- Ryan Suarez (Dallas Burn)
2000: Carlos Bocanegra (Chicago Fire)
FINALISTS:
- Carlos Bocanegra (Chicago Fire)
- Nick Garcia (Kansas City Wizards)
- Danny Califf (Los Angeles Galaxy)
1999: Jay Heaps (Miami Fusion)
FINALISTS:
- Simon Elliott (Los Angeles Galaxy)
- Jay Heaps (Miami Fusion)
- Richard Mulrooney (San Jose Clash)
1998: Ben Olsen (D.C. United)
TOP THREE IN VOTING:
- Ben Olsen (D.C. United)
- Andy Williams (Columbus Crew)
- Josh Wolff (Chicago Fire)
1997: Mike Duhaney (Tampa Bay Mutiny)
TOP THREE IN VOTING:
- Mike Duhaney (Tampa Bay Mutiny)
- Ross Paule (Columbus Crew)
- Brian Kelly (MetroStars)
1996: Steve Ralston (Tampa Bay Mutiny)
FINALISTS:
- Brian Maisonneuve (Columbus Crew)
- Miles Joseph (MetroStars)
- Steve Ralston (Tampa Bay Mutiny)
