In a special pre-game ceremony, prior to the Vancouver Whitecaps versus Los Angeles Galaxy match on Wednesday, November 7, Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi presented the 2007 Whitecaps men's annual awards.
Veteran midfielder Martin Nash took home the Most Valuable Player and Fan Favourite awards after one of his most productive offensive seasons with three goals and six assists for 12 points. He finished only three points behind the team’s leading scorer, Eduardo Sebrango. In addition, this was the second straight year that Nash finished among the league leaders in assists after tying for third overall. Earlier in the season, Nash extended his club’s ironman record to 77 consecutive games before being called up to Canada's national team in May for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Following the Gold Cup, which saw the native of Victoria, BC, earn his 37th cap for Canada, Nash went on to play the remaining 19 games, bringing his regular season and playoff total to 27 games, including 25 starts for 2,179 minutes. The 11-year USL-1 veteran was also named to the All-League First Team for the third time in his career. His previous All-League honours were in 1996 with Vancouver and 2000 with Rochester.
Second-year Whitecap, Adrian Cann, was selected as the team’s Outstanding Defender. The native of Thornhill, Ontario, was a rock on the backline, leading the team in minutes played with 2,253. Cann played in 27 matches, starting 26, and scored his lone marker against California Victory back on May 19. Prior to joining the Whitecaps, the central defender played two seasons with the Montreal Impact.
Rookie defender Lyle Martin was honoured as the Newcomer of the Year. Martin, a native of Bakersfield, California, came to Vancouver after playing the last two seasons for the Bakersfield Brigade of the USL Premier Development League (PDL) and college soccer at California State University the last four years. Martin, primarily a forward while at college, was converted into a fullback and was quick to adapt. He went on to play in 24 matches, with 19 starts, for 1657 minutes.
Wrapping up the honours was midfielder Alfredo Valente, who was this year’s recipient of the Whitecaps Blue & White Award. Valente has be a long-time contributor to the community. The native of Vancouver, BC, shows an active willingness to give back to the community by volunteering and participating in club and community initiatives beyond the regular call of duty.
Nash, Cann, Martin and Valente joined striker Eduardo Sebrango, who was awarded the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot award as the team’s top goalscorer with seven goals, and midfielder Tony Donatelli who claimed the Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero award, as the 2007 award winners.
