The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency midfielder Bryce Alderson has been named Canadian U-17 Player of the Year for 2010.
The native of Kitchener, Ontario, was chosen amongst six nominees for the annual award in a vote shared by Canadian national team coaches and Canadian coaches who have taken the CSA's national coaching course at the 'B' and 'A' levels. Residency midfielder/striker Matteo Pasquotti was also nominated for the U-17 award.
A Canadian U-17 international, Alderson joined the Residency program in early September and was part of the team's two-week trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, last month. He made three starts and one substitute appearance against youth sides from some of Mexican soccer's top professional clubs during the trip.
The 16-year-old's time with the 'Caps culminated a busy and productive year for the promising midfielder. He served as captain of Canada's U-17 squad during the team's recent international friendlies, with Alderson very much in head coach Sean Fleming's plans for 2011, as Canada aim to qualify for next year's FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
Alderson also captained his home province of Ontario to a silver medal at the 2010 Canadian U-16 All-Star Championship in Sherbrooke, Quebec. He also appeared in the reserve side of Canadian Soccer League outfit Portugal FC, who are based in Toronto, Ontario.
Diamond Simpson joined Alderson in being also named 2010 Canadian U-17 Player of the Year on the female side. Whitecaps FC Girls Prospects defender Nicole Setterlund finished third in voting for the award.
