VANCOUVER: The winners of the 2018 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Player Awards presented by BMO were announced on Wednesday, and winger Alphonso Davies was voted by fans as this year’s Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year.
Davies was honoured at the event, along with Russell Teibert (Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero), Doneil Henry (Humanitarian of the Year), Kei Kamara (Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot), Michael Baldisimo (Most Promising Player), Caitlin Shaw (Most Promising Player/BMO RESP Youth Soccer Player), and Nathan Demian (BMO RESP Youth Soccer Player).
BMO Player of the Year: Alphonso Davies
Davies has enjoyed a historic year in 2018, resulting in a landmark transfer to storied German club FC Bayern Munich following the season. The 2018 MLS All-Star has already set a new single season league record with 121 completed dribbles, while also leading MLS with 255 duels won. With the ‘Caps, Davies has scored six goals and is tied for the team-high with 11 assists heading into the final match, one away from matching the Whitecaps FC single season MLS club record. He is the youngest player in league history to record double digit assists in a season.
Davies was voted 2018 WFC BMO Player of the Year in a poll on whitecapsfc.com.
The BMO Player of the Year trophy was created for the club by Ironworkers Local 97. The trophy was designed and handcrafted by Chris Hutchins. A steel Whitecaps FC logo is mounted on a maple base and flanked by dogwood flowers which are local to the area, representing the contrast between Vancouver’s natural environment and the grit and hard work put into the city’s man-made landscape.
Goal of the Year: Alphonso Davies – July 14, 2018 at D.C. United
Davies also took home the 2018 Goal of the Year award, as voted by fans on Twitter and Instagram.
The 17-year-old earned the award with his powerful run and superb finish on the road against D.C. United on July 14 – the first match played at the new Audi Field stadium.
Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero: Russell Teibert
Teibert, the longest tenured player on the ‘Caps roster, has been instrumental to the team’s success with his on-pitch contributions as well as his presence in the locker room. In his 10th season with the club, including eight on the first team, Teibert has recorded one goal and two assists in MLS play. The Niagara Falls, Ontario native also leads WFC with an 88% passing accuracy and ranks fourth on the team with 35 interceptions.
In memory of Jock MacDonald’s dedication to the club, the Unsung Hero Award was created in 2005. 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 Teibert as the 2018 recipient.
Humanitarian of the Year: Doneil Henry
Henry has been an exceptional community ambassador for Whitecaps FC in his first year with the club. The personable and ebullient centre back has made numerous charitable appearances this season including BC Children’s Hospital, Day of Giving, Pride Parade, and Community Clinics. Henry goes above and beyond when engaging with club initiatives and fostering relationships in the community. The club’s community relations staff selected Henry as the 2018 Humanitarian of the Year.
Most Promising Players: Michael Baldisimo and Caitlin Shaw
Baldisimo, 18, signed a first-team Homegrown contract in July, while continuing to feature for the Whitecaps FC U-19 side in US Soccer Development Academy competition. He helped the U-19s to a semifinal finish in the 2018 Academy Championship. In international competition, the midfielder/defender from Burnaby was called up to the Canada U-21 national team for the Festival International Espoirs Provence in France in May, and to Canada’s U-20 national team for the Concacaf U-20 Championship next month.
Shaw, 17, is a member of the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Super REX Centre in partnership with BC Soccer, and has continued her progress since joining the club in 2015. In 2018, the North Vancouver-bred midfielder made four combined starts in seven appearances for the Canadian national team in both the U-20 and the U-17 Concacaf Women’s Championship tournaments, tallying an assist against Haiti U-17s in June.
The club’s technical staff selected Baldisimo and Shaw as the 2018 Most Promising Players.
Youth Soccer Player, BMO RESP: Nathan Demian and Caitlin Shaw
In conjunction with the BMO Player of the Year award, BMO also presented a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to Shaw and U-17 Whitecaps FC Academy defender Nathan Demian for their performance in the classroom and on the pitch. Demian has been a leader on the U-17 academy team, and scored in the team’s Academy Championship playoff run in 2018. The club’s technical staff selected Shaw and Demian as this year’s recipients.
Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot: Kei Kamara
With 14 goals in MLS play, in addition to three goals in the Canadian Championship, Whitecaps FC striker Kei Kamara was presented with the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot at the BMO Player Awards on Wednesday.
The award is named in honour of the late Domenic Mobilio, who in 15 seasons with Vancouver 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.
