Cavan Sullivan, Freese, Tiernan and Nesbitt finalists for U.S. Soccer End of Year Awards

Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan is among the finalists for U.S. Soccer’s End of Year Awards along with Wayne, Pa. native Matt Freese, Voorhees, N.J. native Riley Tiernan and Philadelphia-based referee Kathryn Nesbitt.

Sullivan, 16, is a finalist for the Young Male Player of the Year Award along with defender Josh Wynder, midfielders Benjamin Cremaschi and Brooklyn Raines and forward Mathis Albert.

From the U.S. Soccer news release:

“At the U-17 World Cup in Qatar, midfielder Cavan Sullivan played a part in four of the five U.S. goals. Sullivan provided game-winning goals in the team’s first two matches against Burkina Faso and Tajikistan, respectively. He also added assists against Tajikistan and Morocco in the Round of 32.”

Freese, an Episcopal Academy grad and former standout at Penn Fusion and the Philadelphia Union Academy, took a big step forward in his career and is now a favorite to start for the U.S. team in the FIFA World Cup.

“Goalkeeper Matt Freese seized the starting role for the final 12 games of the year. After making his debut for the U.S. in an international match against Türkiye, Freese was instrumental in the run to the 2025 Gold Cup Final, starting every game. He was the hero in the quarterfinal penalty shootout against Costa Rica, where he saved three penalty kicks to deliver the USMNT the victory. Starting in 35 total games for MLS side NYCFC, Freese kept 11 clean sheets and recorded 108 saves in the regular season.”

Tiernan, an Eastern Regional HS grad and PDA alum who starred in college at Rutgers, has had a standout season with Angel City FC in the NWSL, which earned her call-ups to the U.S. U-23 squad.

“Twenty-three-year-old Riley Tiernan started every match for Angel City FC this season and three matches into the season she buried her first professional goal. Her first assist came in the very next match. Tiernan’s eight goals were most for a rookie and tied for second-most of any American in the NWSL. Tiernan has been in four U.S. U-23 WNT training camps on the year including the two matches in Germany and the current trip to Europe for matches against the Slovakia WNT and England U-23s.”

Nesbitt, who lives in Philadelphia, was named the U.S. Soccer female referee of the year last year and is a finalist again.

“A number of top American female referees had the opportunity to shine at continental and world championship competition in 2025. FIFA Assistant Referees Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt plus FIFA Referee Tori Penso were appointed to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as well as Concacaf Final Round World Cup Qualifiers, Concacaf Champions Cup and were the first female crew to work the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final. Mayo ran the line in 24 MLS matches, Nesbitt officiated in 26 and Penso held the whistle in 18 games.”