Who should be the 2014 Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year?
VANCOUVER, BC – Who should be the 2014 Vancouver Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year?
With just one month remaining in the Major League Soccer season, it’s once again time to vote for the player who you feel has been most important to Vancouver’s success this season.
Members of the club’s technical staff determined the six names on the ballot. Now, the choice is yours.
Voting runs until Sunday, October 19. You may vote once per day.
The winner of the Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year award, as well as the winners of the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot (if determined), Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero Award, Humanitarian of the Year, and Most Promising Player, will be announced on Wednesday, October 22 at the BMO Main Branch.
Without further ado, here are your nominees:
2 JORDAN HARVEY – LEFT BACK
Though he often flies under the radar, Jordan Harvey has been a model of consistency for Whitecaps FC this season. The experienced defender, who recently reached the 15,000-minute mark in MLS regular season competition, has started all but one regular season match this season. He’s also second on the team with 2,579 minutes played.
In addition to being a reliable fixture on the back line, Harvey has also contributed some offence for the Blue and White for a second straight year. The 30-year-old fullback, who agreed to a contract extension with Whitecaps FC in August, has tallied two goals this season, including the game-winner in a 4-3 win over Portand Timbers back in June. Speaking of creating offence from the back, Harvey is third in MLS among defenders with 241 passes into the final third.
Since joining Whitecaps FC in July 2011, the California native has set franchise records for most appearances (93), starts (84), minutes played (7,655), and goals (seven) by a defender in MLS.
This is the second straight year Harvey has been nominated for the BMO Player of the Year.
28 GERSHON KOFFIE – MIDFIELDER
After starting the season on the substitute’s bench, Gershon Koffie quickly assumed a spot in the starting lineup and became one of Vancouver’s most influential players.
The Ghanaian’s ability to not only win the ball but also drive the play forward from midfield has been invaluable to Whitecaps FC’s success this season. Case in point: the ‘Caps have posted a 6W-3L-8D record with him in the starting lineup.
Koffie has recorded a goal and an assist while starting 17 of 20 appearances this season – he’s missed the last eight matches due to injury. His lone goal came in a dominant performance vs. Seattle Sounders FC – a match that saw him named Budweiser Man of the Match after setting new career highs in touches, shots, and tackles.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who was ranked 22nd in Major League Soccer’s annual 24 under 24 list, is second on the team (minimum five appearances) with an average of 2.65 tackles per game and third in chances created per game and successful passes per game.
15 MATIAS LABA – MIDFIELDER
After an impressive rookie campaign that was cut short due to injury, Matias Laba has established himself as one of the league’s top defensive midfielders in 2014.
The 22-year-old leads MLS with 133 tackles, which is more than any player had all of last season. It’s also already the third highest total in a single season since Opta started tracking MLS in 2011.
Laba, who also leads all midfielders with 76 interceptions, has been an absolute force for Whitecaps FC in midfield. His work rate and relentless defending has played a big part in Vancouver’s nine clean sheets, which is the second highest total in MLS this season.
The Argentine midfielder has started 27 of his 28 appearances this season, logging an assist in a 4-3 win over Portland Timbers back in June. Laba, who came in at 12th in the league’s annual 24 under 24 list, has been named Whitecaps FC Budweiser Man of the Match three times this season – which is tied for the second highest total on the team.
77 PEDRO MORALES – MIDFIELDER
Pedro Morales’ first season in MLS has been one to remember.
The Chilean playmaker has quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous attacking midfielders and has been key to Vancouver’s success. His stats speak for themselves in that regard.
Morales, who took over as captain following the retirement of Jay DeMerit, leads the team with 10 goals and 10 assists – making him the first Whitecaps FC player to reach double digits in both categories in a single MLS season.
The ‘Caps captain, who is fifth in MLS with 74 chances created, also added a goal and an assist in one Amway Canadian Championship appearance.
Another telling stat: the ‘Caps have posted an 8W-1L-4D record when the Chilean records a goal or assist this season. With attacking ability that has often proved the difference, it’s no surprise that Morales has won a team-high five Budweiser Man of the Match awards this season.
1 DAVID OUSTED – GOALKEEPER
Goalkeeper David Ousted is the only Whitecaps FC player to have started and played every minute of every regular season match this season, which says a lot about his importance to the team.
Furthermore, the Danish shot-stopper has recorded nine clean sheets, which is tied for the league lead. It’s also a new club record for Whitecaps FC in MLS.
As head coach Carl Robinson said after last weekend’s win over Real Salt Lake, Ousted has given Whitecaps FC a chance to win essentially every night. He’s won MLS Save of the Week twice and has been named Whitecaps FC Budweiser Man of the Match three times, which is the second highest total on the team.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper, who joined Whitecaps FC midway through the 2013 season, has also taken on a leadership role with the ‘Caps, wearing the captain’s armband in a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake back in July.
31 RUSSELL TEIBERT – MIDFIELDER
Canadian midfielder Russell Teibert is another player who has taken on a major leadership role with Whitecaps FC this season, captaining the squad three times in regular season play and in both legs of the Amway Canadian Championship.
The 21-year-old has appeared in 25 of Vancouver’s 30 regular season matches this season, which is a new career high. He’s also made 18 starts and just recently started his eighth consecutive match – the longest run of his career.
After starting the season on the wing, picking up a pair of assists, Teibert has impressed as a deeper central midfielder as of late, which illustrates his versatility and value to the team.
Teibert’s strong play hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he's been named Budweiser Man of the Match three times this season. The Niagara Falls, Ontario native, who agreed to a contract extension with Whitecaps FC in July, was also named to the roster for the 2014 Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game and made the league’s annual 24 under 24 list for the second straight year.
This is also the second straight year Teibert has been nominated for BMO Player of the Year.
* All stats as of October 3.
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