VANCOUVER, BC – The winners of the 2013 Whitecaps FC Player Awards, presented by BMO Bank of Montreal, were honoured Wednesday in a special awards ceremony at the BMO Main Office Branch in downtown Vancouver.
<a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/vDmGUxh6XJ8"></a> |
<b>Awards Ceremony at BMO Main Office Branch</b> |
"There were number of memorable moments throughout the year and today provides an opportunity to recognize some of the individuals who contributed in 2013," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. "Each of the players honoured today served the club admirably with heart, dedication, and pride over the past season and are truly deserving recipients of their respective awards."
Brazilian striker Camilo Sanvezzo was voted as Whitecaps FC’s BMO Player of the Year after an all-star season in which he has scored a career-high 22 goals, including 19 in Major League Soccer competition, and three in Amway Canadian Championship play.
“It’s inspiring to know that Whitecaps FC fans have once again enthusiastically voted for their BMO Player of the Year. As the first Founding Partner of the club and sponsor of the ‘Kickin with the ’Caps program, we’ve seen an increase in young soccer players attending home matches and building up the fan base,” said Joanne Gassman, Senior Vice President, BC & Yukon Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We’re very pleased to present the annual team awards as part of our commitment to the beautiful game in Vancouver.”
As expected, Camilo was also awarded the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot award as Whitecaps FC’s top goalscorer. The 25-year-old striker also claimed both awards in the club’s inaugural MLS season back in 2011.
Centre back Carlyle Mitchell took home the Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero Award, left back Jordan Harvey was named Humanitarian of the Year. Residency U-18 midfielder Marco Bustos and Girls Elite defender/midfielder Rachel Jones were co-recipients of the Most Promising Player Award, while Residency U-16 midfielder David Norman Jr. received the Youth Soccer Player, BMO RESP.
BMO PLAYER OF THE YEAR – CAMILO SANVEZZO
The Brazilian-born striker was the overwhelming choice for the BMO Player of the Year, which was selected by supporters after members of the club’s technical staff and select representatives of the media determined the five candidates.
Currently, the Magician is third in the MLS Golden Boot race with 19 goals. The 25-year-old forward, who also has six assists to his name, was an MLS All-Star, named MLS Player of the Month in July, and received a league leading three MLS Player of the Week honours.
In addition, Camilo led the Amway Canadian Championship with three goals, scored the club’s 100th MLS goal, and received a team-high five Budweiser Man of the Match awards.
DOMENIC MOBILIO GOLDEN BOOT – CAMILO SANVEZZO
In a season where the club has scored a MLS club best of 50 goals and counting, Camilo ran away with the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot award as Vancouver’s top goalscorer for 2013.
Going into Sunday’s regular season finale, Camilo has scored 19 MLS goals. Fellow striker Kenny Miller is second on the team with eight tallies.
The award is named in honour of Domenic Mobilio, who in 15 seasons with Vancouver 86ers scored 170 goals, more than double the club's next leading scorer. In memory of his great accomplishments, the Mobilio family awards the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot –a bronzed trophy made from one of Domenic’s left boots – annually.
JOCK MacDONALD UNSUNG HERO AWARD – CARLYLE MITCHELL
The Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero Award was awarded to defender Carlyle Mitchell in memory of Jock MacDonald's dedication to Whitecaps FC. Mr. MacDonald was a founding member of Vancouver 86ers and a key individual to resurrecting professional soccer in the Lower Mainland. His passionate personality and contributions were an important part of the club’s success – just as Mitchell’s contributions have been this season.
The Trinidad and Tobago international joined FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League, on what was supposed to be a season-long loan at the beginning of the season, however was recalled three times during a devastating run of injuries for Whitecaps FC’s centre backs. The 26-year-old became a stalwart for the ‘Caps back line, starting 13 of 15 appearances.
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR – JORDAN HARVEY
Defender Jordan Harvey was named Whitecaps FC’s Humanitarian of the Year, which highlights a player that has shown an active willingness to give back to the community by volunteering and participating in club and community initiatives beyond the regular call of duty.
The Mission Viejo, California native has been an excellent ambassador for Whitecaps FC this season, while supporting a number of charitable efforts. Highlights include a visit to the BC Children’s Hospital, a special musical performance at the Coast Salish Hope and Health extravaganza, and an improv acting performance at Camp Goodtimes – a camp for youth affected by cancer.
On the pitch, Harvey has become a reliable fixture. The 29-year-old fullback has played the full 90 minutes in a whopping 23 straight matches and notched a career-high four goals this season.
MOST PROMISING PLAYERS – MARCO BUSTOS AND RACHEL JONES
The Most Promising Player awards, awarded to younger players that exemplify a noticeable development throughout the season, were presented to Residency U-18 midfielder Marco Bustos and Girls Elite defender Rachel Jones.
Bustos, 17, scored 14 goals and started 27 of 33 regular season games for Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency during the 2012-13 season. So far this season, he has registered three goals and two assists in just five matches. The gifted attacking central midfielder also impressed with Whitecaps FC’s Reserves side, scoring one goal and two assists in just four outings. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native is currently away with Canada’s U-17 national team at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Jones, 16, was selected as an underage player to join Whitecaps FC’s Girls Elite program in September 2012. She has been a standout performer ever since – for both Whitecaps FC and Canada’s youth national team system. The North Vancouver, BC, native played every minute of every game to help the ’Caps claim the Gothia Cup championship in Sweden and Team British Columbia win a gold medal at the 2013 Canada Games. Internationally, Jones has attended camps for Canada’s U-15, U-17, and U-20 teams and is currently away with Canada in preparation for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying.
YOUTH SOCCER PLAYER, BMO RESP – DAVID NORMAN
In conjunction with the BMO Player of the Year award, BMO also presented a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to Residency U-16 midfielder David Norman.
Norman, 15, has been involved with Whitecaps FC’s youth system for over five years after joining the club’s prospects squad at the age of nine. Throughout his time with Vancouver, Norman has been a leader on and off the pitch. The Coquitlam, BC, native exudes team pride, team spirit, community commitment, and passion for the game and has also been an excellent ambassador for the club in the community.
Internationally, the skilled midfielder has also represented Canada at the U-15 level. Most recently, Norman appeared for Canada at the 2013 Copa Mexico de Naciones and scored the game-winning goal in their tournament opener against Paraguay.
Whitecaps FC wrap-up the 2013 MLS regular season on October 27, when they host the Rapids at BC Place in the back half of their home-and-home series. The final home match of the regular season will also be Fan Appreciation Night. A number of initiatives are planned to thank fans for their continued support. Tickets are still available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
About BMO and Soccer
BMO supports soccer across Canada from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities all the way up to the professional level. Our deep commitment to 'The Beautiful Game' is evident from our grassroots sponsorship of more than 1,000 youth teams nationally, to our support of Canada's men's and women's national teams, our professional teams (Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Montreal Impact) and our soccer venue title sponsorship (BMO Field).
