Toronto FC’s Michael Bradley wins U.S. player of the year award

Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley was named U.S. Soccer’s male player of the year on Tuesday.

It’s first time Bradley has won the award.

Bradley earned 18 caps for the U.S. national team and scored three goals with six assists. He was named captain of the U.S. team ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Bradley captained the U.S. in 16 of his 18 matches in 2015. He has earned 109 caps with 15 goals for the U.S. throughout his career.

Bradley helped lead Toronto FC to its first playoff appearance in club history this past season. He made 26 appearances (MLS league play and playoffs), scoring five goals and adding six assists for the Reds.

“We are very happy for Michael, his contributions for both club and country certainly speak for themselves,” said Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “On behalf of everyone at Toronto FC, we congratulate Michael on this great achievement.”

Voters included national team coaches and staff, men’s national team players who appeared in 2015, men’s national team and youth national team coaches, Major League Soccer and North American Soccer League head coaches, and select former players, administrators and media.