2015 OaM Awards: Young Player of the Year

Major League Soccer has a 24 under 24 list. Well, we're lucky to get a few under 24. That's why we have the Young Player of the Year Award! This year we had four candidates: Matt Miazga, Kemar Lawrence, Anatole Abang, and Tyler Adams of NYRB II. The vote wasn't even close. I don't know why we even bothered honestly.

Matt Miazga stole our hearts this year when he celebrated a goal against New York City FC by hitting a home run. Of course, it would've been better had he been actually standing at home plate, but that wasn't nearby.

Miazga had played well during his stretch last year, but was removed after some avoidable errors in the name of winning. The youngster has had a busy year though. He played with the United States U-20s in World Cup Qualifying, played with the U-23s for a bit, and had his first senior level international cap last month in St. Louis. He also traveled to train with Red Bull Salzburg and has been the center of a few transfer rumors since the summer.

Miazga has been a force on the back line and has grown into his own, although he still makes mistakes at time. Overall though, he was a big piece of the team's push for the Supporters' Shield and is your Young Player for 2015.