Voting from 2 to 11 December
Canada Soccer have launched the voting for the 2021 Canada Soccer Player Awards for a year that both National Teams rose to new heights with an Olympic Gold Medal for the Women’s National Team and a first place spot in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Qualifiers for the Men’s National Team. Voting for the 2021 Canada Soccer Players of the Year, celebrating the top Canadian footballers from the 2021 calendar year, are open to media and coaches from 2 to 11 December.
Media and coaches will vote for the Canada Soccer Players of the Year Award, which was introduced in 1993 to celebrate the achievements at both the international and club level.
Canadian soccer fans, meanwhile, will vote on the annual Allstate Canadian National Teams Good Hands Award, recognising the top save by Canada’s National Team goalkeepers during international play. Voting for the award will launch later in December. Fans who vote for their top save will have the opportunity to be entered to win a #CanadaRed prize package.
The 2021 Canada Soccer Player Awards will be announced over the week of 13 to 16 December
Canada Soccer Players of the Year
Voting will be done by Canadian media and coaches, selecting first choice, second choice, and third choice. The award celebrates Canada Soccer’s top footballers in recognition of their 2021 achievements with both the National Team and their respective club teams.
Canada Soccer Men’s National Team Program (#CANMNT)
Équipe nationale masculine de Canada Soccer
• Samuel Adekugbe | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball & TUR / Hatayspor FC
• Milan Borjan | SRB / FK Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)
• Tajon Buchanan | USA / New England Revolution
• Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Jonathan David | BEL / KAA Gent & FRA / Lille OSC
• Alphonso Davies | GER / FC Bayern München
• Stephen Eustáquio | POR / FC Paços de Ferreira
• Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Beşiktaş JK
• Alistair Johnston | USA / Nashville SC
• Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Los Angeles FC & USA / Colorado Rapids
• Cyle Larin | TUR / Beşiktaş JK
• Richie Laryea | CAN / Toronto FC
• Kamal Miller | CAN / CF Montréal
• Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
• Steven Vitória | POR / Moreirense FC
Canada Soccer Women’s National Team Program (#CANWNT)
Équipe nationale féminine de Canada Soccer
• Janine Beckie | ENG / Manchester City FC
• Kadeisha Buchanan | FRA / Olympique Lyonnais
• Allysha Chapman | USA / Houston Dash
• Jessie Fleming | ENG / Chelsea FC
• Vanessa Gilles | FRA / FC Girondins de Bordeaux
• Julia Grosso | USA / University of Texas at Austin
• Stephanie Labbé | USA / NC Courage
• Ashley Lawrence | FRA / Paris Saint-Germain FC
• Adriana Leon | ENG / West Ham United FC
• Nichelle Prince | USA / Houston Dash
• Quinn | USA / OL Reign
• Deanne Rose | ENG / Reading FC
• Desiree Scott | USA / Kansas City Current
• Kailen Sheridan | USA / NJ/NY Gotham FC
• Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
Canada Soccer Men’s National Team Program (#CANMNT)
Samuel Adekugbe featured in 13 international “A” matches for Canada in 2021, including a co-team-best seven substitute appearances as a finisher. He earned Player of the Match honours in both the away 1:1 draw with USA and the home 1:0 win over Costa Rica, both in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. From January through November 2021 with Vålerenga in Sweden and Hatayspor FC in Turkey, he featured in 29 matches across all competitions including UEFA Conference League Qualifiers.
Milan Borjan set the Men’s National Team records for all-time international “A” clean sheets (26) and career clean sheets in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (nine). He also became the first Canada goalkeeper to post at least five clean sheets in three separate years (2015, 2019 and 2021). From January through November 2021 with Red Star Belgrade, he posted 15 clean sheets in 42 appearances in all competitions and won his fourth-straight Serbian SuperLiga title (2020-21) and first Serbian Cup (2021).
Tajon Buchanan won the Concacaf Gold Cup Young Player award and was named a tournament All-Star as Canada reached the Semifinals for the first time since 2007. He scored three goals and four assists in 16 international “A” appearances for Canada in 2021 and won Canada Soccer Players of the Month honours in July and August. From January through November 2021 with the New England Revolution, Buchanan scored nine goals and five assists in 28 matches in all competitions and won the MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Maxime Crépeau featured in nine international matches for Canada in 2021 and posted his first three career clean sheets, including a 2:0 win over Costa Rica in the Concacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinals. He featured in all five of Canada’s matches at the Concacaf Gold Cup as they reached the Semifinals for the first time since 2007. From January through November 2021, he featured in 29 matches in all competitions including the MLS Playoffs. He was named the Whitecaps Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons.
Jonathan David ranked second for Canada with seven international goals during the 2021 season, all of which he scored across three rounds of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. He scored a hat trick against Suriname and the 1-0 winner against Costa Rica in Edmonton. He won Canada Soccer Player of the Month honours in April and May. From January through November 2021 with Lille OSC, he scored 23 goals in 46 matches in all competitions and became the first Canadian to win the Ligue 1 championship (2020-21).
Alphonso Davies scored five goals and set a Men’s National Team record with eight international assists during the 2021 season. He also set the record for all-time international “A” assists (15) and tied the Canada record for career assists in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (eight). He won Canada Soccer Player of the Month honours in February, June and October. From January through November 2021 with FC Bayern, he featured in 42 matches in all competitions and won both FIFA Club World Cup (2020) and his third-straight Bundesliga title (2020-21).
Stephen Eustáquio ranked second on Canada with 17 international “A” appearances in 2021, in fact the second most ever by a Men’s National Team player in a single year. He scored three goals and two assists while his 1,344 minutes played were the fourth-most ever in a single year. He twice earned Player of the Match honours, including a pivotal win over Costa Rica at the Concacaf Gold Cup. From January through November 2021 with Paços de Ferreira, he featured in 37 matches in all competitions and earned team MVP honours for 2020-21.
Atiba Hutchinson set the Men’s National Team’s all-time records for international “A” appearances (90) and international wins (35) while also becoming Canada’s oldest goalscorer at 38 years old in a 3:0 win over El Salvador in Toronto. He became just the second player to represent Canada in five cycles of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. From January through November 2021 with Beşiktaş JK, he featured in 39 matches in all competitions and captained Beşiktaş JK to their third Turkish Süper Lig title (2020-21) in six years.
Alistair Johnston set a Men’s National Team record by making 18 international “A” appearances during the 2021 season, including 16 starts (second most ever in a year) and 1,417 minutes played (also second most ever for a single year). He earned Canada Soccer Player of the Month honours in September and was twice named to Concacaf’s Team of the Week in October. From January through November 2021 with Nashville SC, he featured in 28 matches including the playoffs en route to the MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Mark-Anthony Kaye made 16 international “A” appearances for Canada in 2021 including 12 starts and 1,011 minutes played. He scored two goals and finished tied for second on Canada with four assists. He featured in all five matches at the Concacaf Gold Cup as Canada reached the Semifinals for the first time since 2007. From January through November 2021 with Los Angeles FC and Colorado Rapids, he featured in 26 matches including the playoffs en route to the MLS Western Conference Semifinals.
Cyle Larin set a Men’s National Team record by scoring 14 international “A” goals during the 2021 season, including a pair of goals in a historic win over Mexico in Edmonton. He tied the Men’s National Team all-time record for international “A” goals (22) and set the Canada career record for goals in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (15). He won Player of the Month honours in January and March. From January through November 2021 with Beşiktaş JK, he scored 20 goals in 44 matches in all competitions and won his first Turkish Süper Lig title (2020-21).
Richie Laryea made 16 international “A” appearances for Canada in 2021, making 14 starts and featuring in 1,248 minutes played. He earned Canada’s Player of the Match honours in a 3:0 win over El Salvador, Canada’s first win in the Concacaf Final Round since 1997. From January through November 2021 with Toronto FC, he made 32 appearances in all competitions and helped Toronto FC reach the Final of the Canadian Championship.
Kamal Miller featured in more than 1,000 minutes for Canada during the 2021 international season, notably leading all outfield players in minutes played at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. He featured in 13 matches and made 12 starts and was Canada Soccer’s Player of the Month in November. From January through November 2021 with CF Montréal, he made 28 appearances in all competitions, scored his first professional goal, and won the 2021 Canadian Championship Final.
Jonathan Osorio made 15 international “A” appearances in 2021 including 11 starts and scored goals at both the Concacaf Gold Cup and in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. His away match-tying goal against Mexico in September was Canada’s first FIFA World Cup Qualifiers goal scored at Azteca in 41 years. From January through November 2021 with Toronto FC, he made 27 appearances in all competitions and scored five goals as Toronto FC reached the Final of the Canadian Championship.
Steven Vitória made 14 international “A” appearances at centre back for Canada in 2021, including six victories in which Canada posted a clean sheet. He was team captain at the Concacaf Gold Cup as Canada reached the Semifinals for the first time since 2007. He made 13 starts and featured in 1,223 minutes, both totals which ranked fourth on Canada across the calendar year. From January through November 2021 with Moreirense FC, he scored six goals in 20 matches across all competitions
Canada Soccer Women’s National Team Program (#CANWNT
Olympic champion Janine Beckie made 13 appearances for Canada in 2021, scored two goals, and led the Women’s National Team with three assists. She was one of five Women’s National Team players to feature in more than 1,000 minutes. At the Olympic Games, she scored both goals in a 2:1 group stage victory over Chile. From January through November 2021 with Manchester City FC, she scored four goals in 18 club matches in all competitions and reached the Quarterfinals of 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.
Olympic champion Kadeisha Buchanan made 12 appearances for Canada in 2021 including all six matches at the Olympic Games in Japan. She was the only Canadian to feature in every minute at the Olympic Games en route to Canada’s first world championship. From January through November 2021 with FCF Olympique Lyonnais, she featured in 29 matches in all competitions and reached the Quarterfinals of 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.
Olympic champion Allysha Chapman made 11 international “A” appearances and starts for Canada in 2021. She featured in four of six matches at the Olympic Games, including all three knockout matches en route to Canada’s first world championship in the Gold Medal Game. From January through November 2021 with the Houston Dash, she featured in 18 matches in all NWSL competitions. She ranked fourth amongst all Canadians with 1,409 minutes during the NWSL regular season.
Olympic champion Jessie Fleming led Canada with 17 international “A” matches, 16 starts and 1,482 minutes played. She co-led Canada with four goals and was a first-time finalist for the Ballon d’Or. She won Canada Soccer Player of the Month honours in March, October and November and scored the penalty-winning goal in Canada’s first victory over USA in 21 years. From January through November 2021 with Chelsea FC, she scored four goals in 25 matches and won both the 2020-21 FA Women’s Super League and FA League Cup.
Olympic champion Vanessa Gilles featured in 12 international “A” matches for Canada in 2021, including four starts at the Olympic Games in Japan with Player of the Match performances against both Great Britain and Brazil. She scored the winning kick from the penalty spot in the Quarterfinals against Brazil. She earned Canada Soccer’s Player of the Month honours in July. From January through November 2021 with FC Girondins de Bordeaux, she featured in 24 matches in all competitions including 2021-22 UEFA Champions League.
Olympic champion Julia Grosso made 10 international “A” appearances for Canada in 2021, including five appearances at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She converted the final kick from the penalty mark to secure Canada’s first world title in the Gold Medal match against Sweden (Canada won 3-2 on kicks). At the college level, Grosso played for the University of Texas at Austin and scored six goals and four assists in 18 matches.
Olympic champion Stephanie Labbé was a finalist for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper in 2020-21. She set a Women’s National Team record with nine clean sheets in 2021 and earned Canada Soccer Player of the Month honours in August. She twice made two saves on kicks from the penalty mark in the Olympic knockout phase, including the Gold Medal Final against Sweden. From January through November 2021 with FC Rosengård and Paris Saint-Germain FC, she posted 12 clean sheets in 17 matches in all competitions.
Olympic champion Ashley Lawrence was a finalist for both the BBC Footballer of the Year and the France Football Ballon d’Or. She made 10 international appearances for Canada including all six matches at the Olympic Games, in fact finishing second on Canada with 590 minutes played. From January through November 2021 with Paris Saint-Germain FC, she featured in 26 matches and reached the Semifinals of 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. She won her first league title and was a 2020-21 all-star in both domestic and continental competitions.
Olympic champion Adriana Leon co-led Canada with four goals during the 2021 season, including the opening goal of a 1:1 draw with Great Britain at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She featured in five of six matches at the Olympic Games and then scored three goals in the first two matches of the Celebration Tour, including Player of the Match honours in the 1:0 victory at Montréal. From January through November 2021 with West Ham United FC, she scored one goal in nine FA Women’s Super League matches.
Olympic champion Nichelle Prince scored two goals and one assist in 16 international “A” matches for Canada in 2021. She won Canada Soccer Player of the Month honours in September. She featured in all six matches at the Olympic Games, including five starts. She won Canada Soccer Player of the Month honours in September. From January through November with the Houston Dash, she scored two goals and four assists in 19 matches across all NWSL competitions and the International Champions Cup.
Olympic champion Quinn made 14 international “A” appearances for Canada in 2021, including 12 starts and an assist on Canada’s opening goal of a 3:0 win over Wales. They featured in all six matches at the Olympic Games as Canada won their first world championship. From January through November with OL Reign, they featured in 16 matches across all NWSL competitions. They helped OL Reign finish second overall during the regular season before they were eliminated in the playoff semifinals.
Olympic champion Deanne Rose co-led Canada with 17 international “A” appearances in 2021, including appearances in all six matches at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Before the Olympic Games, she was Canada’s first goalscorer in a 3:0 away win over Wales in April. After turning pro in the summer with Reading FC, she scored two goals and two assists in her first seven matches in the FA Women’s Super League through to the end of November.
Olympic champion Desiree Scott featured in 14 international “A” matches for Canada in 2021, including five matches at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She featured in 1,186 minutes at midfield, in fact the second most minutes played for Canada in 2021. From January through November 2021 with Kansas City Current, Scott featured in 15 matches across all competitions. She became just the second Canadian to feature in more than 100 matches across all NWSL competitions.
Olympic champion Kailen Sheridan posted two clean sheets in seven international “A” appearances for Canada in 2021, including two matches at the Olympic Games in Japan. She suffered an injury in February, but made her way back on the pitch in May and posted her clean sheet in a 0:0 draw against Brazil in June. From January through November 2021, she posted six clean sheets in 17 matches in all competitions as NJ/NY Gotham FC reached the playoffs. She was named an NWSL Best XI at year’s end.
Olympic champion Christine Sinclair was a finalist for The Best FIFA Women’s Player for the 10th time in 2020-21. She featured in 12 international “A” matches and scored two goals and also drew the penalty for the tying goal in the Olympic Final against Sweden. She was Canada Soccer’s Player of the Month in May and was a nominee for 2020-21 Ballon d’Or. From January through November 2021 with Portland Thorns FC, she scored seven goals and won the NWSL Challenge Cup, International Champions Cup, and NWSL Shield.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Brad FougereCorporate Communications | Communications corporatives
bfougere@canadasoccer.com
m. +1 613.299.1587
Richard Scott
National Teams Program | Programme de l’équipe nationale
rscott@canadasoccer.com
m. +1 613.818.0305