NEW YORK (Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015) – Major League Soccer announced today that record-setting Orlando City SC and Canadian National Team forward Cyle Larin is the winner of the AT&T Rookie of the Year Award.
The first overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Connecticut, Larin proved to be invaluable for Orlando City SC during the expansion club’s inaugural year. Larin wasted little time letting opponents know what was in store, scoring his first goal in his first professional start in Orlando’s 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers on April 12. The 20-year-old would go on to have one of the most impactful first seasons in MLS, setting a new MLS rookie scoring record with 17 tallies in 27 regular season matches, and finishing tied for fifth on the Audi Golden Boot chart. For the year, Orlando City posted an 8-2-1 record when the 6-2 striker scored a goal.
In addition to MLS play, Larin also scored his first international goal for the Canadian Men’s National Team on March 30 in a 3-0 friendly win over Puerto Rico. He has tallied three goals in 12 appearances since debuting in 2014, and is currently with the team for its upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Larin is the second consecutive Canadian player to win the AT&T Rookie of the Year after FC Dallas forward Tesho Akindele took home the honor in 2014.
The award was voted on by MLS club management, media, and MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting results:
2015: Cyle Larin – Orlando City SC
2014: Tesho Akindele – FC Dallas
2013: Dillon Powers – Colorado Rapids
2012: Austin Berry – Chicago Fire
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
2002: Kyle Martino – Columbus Crew
2001: Rodrigo Faria - MetroStars
2000: Carlos Bocanegra – Chicago Fire
1999: Jay Heaps – Miami Fusion
1998: Ben Olsen – D.C. United
1997: Mike Duhaney – Tampa Bay Mutiny
1996: Steve Ralston – Tampa Bay Mutiny