Lyon star Tanner Tessmann named U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year after leading USMNT to quarterfinals in Olympics

U.S. men's national team midfielder Tanner Tessmann has been named U.S. Soccer's Young Male Player of the Year, the federation announced Wednesday. The Alabama native helped see Italian side Venezia promoted to Serie A at the end of the 2023-24 season, then proceeded to captain the USMNT at the Paris Olympic Games, followed by earning a big-money move to France with Olympique Lyon.

Of the five finalists, Tessmann earned 70 percent of the total vote, with Gianluca Busio coming in second.

Tessmann had a strong performance for the USMNT in France at the Olympics, leading them to the quarterfinals - their best finish since the 2000 games. He also featured in camps under new USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino in both October and November.

The 23-year-old midfielder started both legs against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, helping see the U.S. advance to the semifinals of the competition this March.

For Venezia, he started 35 of 38 matches, helping the club get promoted to Serie A from Serie B. With Lyon, since his August transfer, he played in 14 games for the club during the first half of the 2024-25 season.

Tessmann was an FC Dallas homegrown prior to his move abroad to Venezia.

Lyon play in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, taking on Belgian side Genk. Three points will see them automatically clinch a top-8 spot, while a loss or a draw could see them drop into the knockout round playoffs.