VANCOUVER, BC –The 2019 Whitecaps FC BMO Player Awards Ceremony took place at the BMO Theatre Centre in Olympic Village on Tuesday evening, highlighted by goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau winning Player of the Year.
In addition to Crépeau, other award winners included Inbeom Hwang (Most Promising Male Player), Andersen Williams (Most Promising Female Player/BMO Academy RESP Female Player), Gianfranco Facchineri (BMO Academy RESP Male Player), Scott Sutter (Humanitarian of the Year), Érik Godoy (Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero) and Theo Bair (Goal of the Year).
The Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot Award winner, presented to the player with the most MLS regular season goals, will be announced after the club’s last match of the season on October 6.
Player of the Year: Maxime Crépeau
Crépeau has enjoyed a breakout season in 2019, recording 107 saves and five clean sheets in his 24 MLS appearances, and his 72.3 save percentage is among the best in the league. The 25-year-old goalkeeper from Candiac, Quebec made 16 saves against the San Jose Earthquakes on August 24, setting a new single-game record in the league. He has also been named to the MLS Team of the Week three times this season.
The Player of the Year trophy was created by Ironworkers Local 97 and handcrafted by Chris Hutchins. A steel Whitecaps FC logo is mounted on a maple base and flanked by dogwood flowers local to the area. The trophy’s design highlights the contrast between Vancouver’s natural environment and the grit and hard work put into the city’s man-made landscape.
Crépeau was voted the 2019 Player of the Year by fans through an online poll on whitecapsfc.com.
Most Promising Male Player: Inbeom Hwang
One of the league’s up-and-coming talents, Hwang has dazzled Whitecaps FC fans in his first MLS season with his flair and creativity at midfield. He has four goals and two assists across all competitions, and is among the MLS leaders in interceptions. In addition, the 23-year-old from Daejeon, South Korea leads the club in minutes played, tackles, possession won, touches, chances created, and passes. The club’s technical staff chose Hwang as the 2019 Most Promising Player.
Most Promising Female Player / BMO RESP Academy Female Player: Andersen Williams
Williams has been an integral part of the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Program since joining in 2017. The 17-year-old forward from Calgary, Alberta played for Canada at last year’s Concacaf U-17 Championship and FIFA U-17 World Cup. She has also earned a soccer scholarship from Texas A&M University and has committed to playing next fall.
BMO also presented a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to Williams for her outstanding efforts on pitch and in the classroom. The club’s Girls Elite REX staff chose Williams for both honours.
BMO RESP Academy Male Player: Gianfranco Facchineri
Facchineri is becoming a young leader on the pitch. The 17-year-old centre back from Windsor, Ontario joined the Whitecaps FC Academy in August 2018 and signed with the Whitecaps FC Development Squad this July. Facchineri co-captained the Canada U-17 men's national team at the 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship and will be competing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil this October.
BMO also presented a RESP to Facchineri for achieving excellence on and off the field. The club’s Academy staff chose Facchineri for the honour.
Humanitarian of the Year: Scott Sutter
In his first year with the club, Sutter has already made his mark as a ‘Caps community advocate. Sutter and his wife, Claudia, have been supporters of BC Children’s Hospital since the right back moved to the Lower Mainland. The couple started an initiative called “Sutter’s Seats” where at each home match, a different patient and their family are invited to meet Sutter and enjoy the game. Additionally, the native of London, England has been a regular in ‘Caps community appearances, including several BC Children’s Hospital visits throughout the season.
The club's community relations staff selected Sutter as the 2019 Humanitarian of the Year. The award was presented by teammate and 2018 winner, Doneil Henry.
Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero: Érik Godoy
Godoy has added an experienced and competitive edge to the ‘Caps defence. Head coach Marc Dos Santos brought in the 25-year-old centre back from Buenos Aires, Argentina following his years of experience playing in Superliga Argentina. In his first MLS season, Godoy is among the league leaders in clearances, and has registered one of the highest block totals in a single regular season in league history. He scored in the ‘Caps season opener on March 2 against Minnesota United FC and has made 28 starts in 29 appearances across all competitions.
The Unsung Hero Award was created in 2005, in memory of Jock MacDonald's dedication to the club. Jock was a founding member of the 86ers soccer club and a key to resurrecting professional soccer in Vancouver. His gracious personality and contributions were an important part of the club's success. The Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero Award is presented annually to a player that demonstrates these values.
The club's technical staff selected Godoy as the 2019 Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero.
Goal of the Year: Theo Bair
Bair’s first MLS goal was one for the books. During the Week 23 matchup against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers, the then 19-year-old Homegrown from Ottawa, Ontario striker seized a high ball in the box and hit a sensational side volley that earned him the league’s Goal of the Week.
Bair won the 2019 Goal of the Year honour thanks to fan votes via social media.
Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot Award
In honour of the late Domenic Mobilio, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot Award is given annually to the leading goalscorer on the first team.
‘Caps forward Fredy Montero has scored eight goals so far, while midfielder/forward Yordy Reyna has scored seven. This year’s Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot Award winner will be announced following the last match of the season on October 6 versus Real Salt Lake.
