Alex Freeman has been named the 2025 MLS Young Player of the Year, rewarding the right back’s breakout season with Orlando City.
The 21-year-old homegrown defender tallied a career-best nine goal contributions (6g/3a) in 29 games, going from an MLS NEXT Pro prospect to an MLS All-Star selection. His six goals were tied for second among MLS defenders this season, and his 42 key passes were the fourth-most.
Freeman rode his sensational season to a consistent USMNT role, earning 11 caps since debuting ahead of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. He’s now pursuing a 2026 FIFA World Cup roster spot, continuing his rapid rise for club and country.
Freeman becomes the first Orlando player to win the award in its current iteration and the second in club history to earn the honor, joining Cyle Larin, who was named MLS Rookie of the Year in 2015.
Freeman is the fourth American to earn the award in its current iteration and the second to have played in both MLS NEXT Pro and in MLS NEXT, joining Real Salt Lake‘s Diego Luna (2024).
The Young Player of the Year award honors the top player in the league aged 22 and under. Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2003, were eligible for selection.
The award is voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and current MLS players. Freeman bested fellow finalists Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC) and Luna (RSL).
MLS Young Player of the Year/Rookie of the Year winners
Young Player of the Year
2025: Alex Freeman – Orlando City
2024: Diego Luna – Real Salt Lake
2023: Thiago Almada – Atlanta United
2022: Jesús Ferreira – FC Dallas
2021: Ricardo Pepi – FC Dallas
2020: Diego Rossi – Los Angeles Football Club
Rookie of the Year
2019: Andre Shinyashiki – Colorado Rapids
2018: Corey Baird – Real Salt Lake
2017: Julian Gressel – Atlanta United
2016: Jordan Morris – Seattle Sounders FC
2015: Cyle Larin – Orlando City SC
2014: Tesho Akindele – FC Dallas
2013: Dillon Powers – Colorado Rapids
2012: Austin Berry – Chicago Fire FC
2011: C.J. Sapong – Sporting Kansas City
2010: Andy Najar – D.C. United
2009: Omar Gonzalez – LA Galaxy
2008: Sean Franklin – LA Galaxy
2007: Maurice Edu – Toronto FC
2006: Jonathan Bornstein – Chivas USA
2005: Michael Parkhurst – New England Revolution
2004: Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution
2003: Damani Ralph – Chicago Fire FC
2002: Kyle Martino – Columbus Crew
2001: Rodrigo Faria – MetroStars
2000: Carlos Bocanegra – Chicago Fire FC
1999: Jay Heaps – Miami Fusion
1998: Ben Olsen – D.C. United
1997: Mike Duhaney – Tampa Bay Mutiny
1996: Steve Ralston – Tampa Bay Mutiny