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Goals are needed to win games and usually it’s the men up front on the forward line who make it their calling card.
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Here are the nominees for Best Men’s Forwards of the Year!
Michail Antonio made his Jamaica debut in 2021 and made his mark with a goal in each of November 2021’s FIFA World Cup qualification matches. He had 10 goals for West Ham United in 2020-21, a mark he is on pace to exceed in the 2021-22 campaign.
Cecilio Waterman was the top scorer for Panama as it made its way to the final round of FIFA World Cup qualification, scoring seven goals in WCQ contests. He also had seven goals for Chile’s Everton de Vina Del Mar across all competitions.
Tajon Buchanan had an excellent year for club and country. He was named Best Young Player in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup and made the Best XI of the tournament after standing out with Canada, on top of netting two goals in FIFA World Cup qualification. With the New England Revolution, his combined 13 goals and assists was the best of his career as he helped the club win the Supporters’ Shield. He made the MLS Best XI as well before moving to Club Brugge.
Jonathan David paced Lille as the club had a surprise run to the 2020-21 Ligue 1 title. He scored 13 goals and is set to beat that number this year if he keeps pace. With the national team, David had seven goals as Canada finished an unbeaten run in FIFA World Cup qualification in 2021.
Juan Anangono pushed Comunicaciones to an international title in 2021, as the Cremas lifted the Scotiabank Concacaf League trophy. The Ecuadorian forward had six goals in 10 matches in the tournament and added six goals in league play in 2021.
Jesus Corona opened the scoring in a thrilling Concacaf Nations League final that Mexico eventually lost in extra time. He also helped El Tricolor to a runner-up finish in the 2021 Gold Cup. At the club level, Corona won the 2020-21 Supercopa with Portuguese side Porto and secured a move to Spanish club Sevilla in the winter.
Hirving Lozano continued to be one of Mexico’s most important players in 2021, scoring against Honduras in a FIFA World Cup qualification match and netting three goals for El Tricolor in friendly matches. At the club level, he turned in an 11-goal season with Napoli in Serie A in 2020-21.
Rogelio Funes Mori pushed Monterrey to the SCCL title, scoring the winning goal and winning the Best Player Award in the top club competition in the region. He also made his Mexico debut in 2021, earning a spot on the Gold Cup Best XI after scoring three goals.
Christian Pulisic had a year full of trophies. The Chelsea winger won the UEFA Champions League with his club, scoring in the semifinals and featuring in a 1-0 final win over Manchester City. For the U.S., Pulisic converted a penalty kick to put the U.S. ahead of Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League final, which the U.S. won, and scored against Mexico in FIFA World Cup qualification.
Valentin Castellanos won MLS’ Golden Boot with his 19 goals, topping the league’s scoring charts. The Argentine earned a place on the league’s Best XI and helped his team to the hardware as well as New York City FC lifted MLS Cup.
