Canada Soccer Player Awards: 'Caps past and present nominated

Baldisimo celebration

Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS Homegrown midfielder and BMO Academy System graduate Michael Baldisimo has been nominated for the Canadian Youth International Player of the Year award. He led a host of past and present 'Caps among the awards finalists.


For the men’s nominees, given that no international competitions took place because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Canada Soccer list features Canadian U-23 players. Full list of nominees:


  • Michael Baldisimo | #canm23 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
  • Tajon Buchanan | #canm23 | New England Revolution
  • Alistair Johnston | #canm23 | Nashville SC
  • Liam Millar | #canm23 | Liverpool FC
  • Kamal Miller | #canm23 | Orlando City FC
  • Harry Paton | #canm23 | Ross County FC
  • Dayne St. Clair | #canm23 | Minnesota United FC


On the women's side for Canadian Youth International Player of the Year, four of the seven nominees are former players from the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX program in partnership with BC Soccer: Tanya Boychuk, Emma Regan, Caitlin Shaw, and Jazmine Wilkinson. For the 2020 award, the list of women’s nominees features U-20 players who participated at the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship.


  • Tanya Boychuk | #canw20
  • Samantha Chang | #canw20
  • Kayza Massey | #canw20
  • Emma Regan | #canw20
  • Jade Rose | #canw20
  • Caitlin Shaw | #canw20
  • Jazmine Wilkinson | #canw20


Voting will be done for the Canadian Player of the Year 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 2020 achievements with both the National Team and their respective club teams.. Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System graduate Alphonso Davies is among the finalists.


  • Tesho Akindele | #CANMNT | USA / Orlando City SC
  • Scott Arfield | #CANMNT | SCO / Rangers FC
  • Milan Borjan | #CANMNT | SRB / Red Star Belgrade
  • Jonathan David | #CANMNT | BEL / KAA Gent & FRA / Lille OSC
  • Alphonso Davies | #CANMNT | GER / FC Bayern München
  • Stephen Eustáquio | #CANMNT | POR / FC Paços de Ferreira
  • Junior Hoilett | #CANMNT | WAL / Cardiff City FC
  • Atiba Hutchinson | #CANMNT | TUR / BeÅŸiktaÅŸ JK
  • Mark-Anthony Kaye | #CANMNT | USA / Los Angeles FC
  • Cyle Larin | #CANMNT | TUR / BeÅŸiktaÅŸ JK
  • Richie Laryea | #CANMNT | CAN / Toronto FC
  • Jonathan Osorio | #CANMNT | CAN / Toronto FC
  • Samuel Piette | #CANMNT | CAN / Impact de Montréal


Jordyn Huitema, another BMO Academy System product, is up for Canada Soccer Female Player of the Year. Other former Whitecaps FC players include Desiree Scott, Christine Sinclair, and Sophie Schmidt. 


  • Janine Beckie | #CANWNT | ENG / Manchester City FC
  • Kadeisha Buchanan | #CANWNT | FRA / Olympique Lyonnais
  • Allysha Chapman | #CANWNT | USA / Houston Dash
  • Jessie Fleming | #CANWNT | ENG / Chelsea FC
  • Jordyn Huitema | #CANWNT | FRA / Paris Saint-Germain FC
  • Stephanie Labbé | #CANWNT | USA / NC Courage
  • Ashley Lawrence | #CANWNT | FRA / Paris Saint-Germain FC
  • Nichelle Prince | #CANWNT | USA / Houston Dash
  • Sophie Schmidt | #CANWNT | USA / Houston Dash
  • Desiree Scott | #CANWNT | USA / Utah Royals FC
  • Kailen Sheridan | #CANWNT | USA / Sky Blue FC
  • Christine Sinclair | #CANWNT | USA / Portland Thorns FC
  • Shelina Zadorsky | #CANWNT | USA / Orlando Pride & ENG / Tottenham Hotspur


Canadian soccer fans will vote on the annual Allstate Canadian National Teams Good Hands Award, recognizing the top save by Canada’s National Team goalkeepers during international play. Voting for the award runs from November 19 until November 26. Fans who vote for their top save will have the opportunity to be entered to win a #CanadaRed prize package.


Beyond the Player Awards, Canada Soccer will announce the Canada Soccer Nations Champions presented by Toyota on Monday, December 22, a new award that will honour individuals that have made a difference in their community at the grassroots level of the game. Nominations for the Canada Soccer Nations Champions are open from November 24 through December 13.


The 2020 Canada Soccer Player Awards will be announced over the week of November 30 to December 4, culminating with the two Canadian Players of the Year announced on Thursday, December 3 and Friday, December 4.


  • November 30 – Canadian Futsal Player of the Year
  • December 1 – Canadian Youth International Players of the Year
  • December 2 – Allstate Canadian National Teams Good Hands Award
  • December 3 – Canadian Players of the Year presented by Allstate – Men’s National Team selection
  • December 4 – Canadian Players of the Year presented by Allstate – Women’s National Team selection