Posted by

Aaron Nielsen ,

January 6, 2015 Email

Aaron Nielsen



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This is the second annual All-Canadian team based on Canadian players playing NCAA soccer. Canadians played a significant role in NCAA soccer this past season with players such as Cyle Larin and Jay Chapman being two of the most talked about college players in 2014. These two, despite being underclassman, are also key players regarding this MLS offseason as Larin has now reportedly signed a Generations Adidas contract, while Chapman might sign with Toronto FC as a Homegrown Player. However, the two things that stick out to me regarding this year’s All-Canadian list is the success of Nikola Paunic, and specifically how his season makes me question how far are CIS players from NCAA Division 1 quality? The second is that it is almost impossible to overstate the success of Sigma FC with three All-Canadians and two honorable mentions as part of their academy program. Legend: FR = Freshman, SO = Sophomore, JR = Junior, SR = Senior



Goalkeeper - Callum Irving, JR, Kentucky



The 6'1 Junior from Vancouver was Kentucky’s most valuable player throughout the 2014 season, leading the Wildcats to the National Tournament. Irving finished with a 0.77 goals against average, 10 shutouts and an .802 save percentage. He also made the NSCAA third-team, was Conference USA player of the year and top defensive player. He looks to be a top prospect for the 2016 MLS Draft and should have a lengthy MLS career.



Defender - Jordan Murrell, SR, Syracuse



Murrell had a break-out season in 2014 scoring two goals, including an olympico (a direct goal from a corner) and six direct assists. Murrell finished his career with five goals, 17 assists in 74 career games with the Orangemen. Murrell played with Toronto FC Academy and could be signed as a Homegrown player by Toronto this off-season and was also part of U18 and U20 camps with the Canadian National Team.



Defender - Skylar Thomas, SR, Syracusee



Skylar Thomas raised his profile more than any other Canadian player this year in college soccer. The 6'3 Pickering native used his size and strength in joining Murrell in one of the best defenses in the country. Thomas did have some injuries earlier in his college career but still played and started 56 college games, scoring eight goals with five by headers. With Thomas looking fit, he has moved up the draft board and looks to be a first round pick in this upcoming MLS draft.



Defender - Nikola Paunic, SR, South Florida



Another former Toronto FC Academy player, one who played two seasons at the University of Toronto before joining South Florida for his last two seasons of College eligibility. The 6'3 Central defender started all 40 games with the Bulls scoring one goal. He also has experience with Canada’s youth system and played in the CSL with the Serbian White Eagles. Paunic has been invited to the MLS combine and based on how he does could possibly lead to other CIS players being invited to future combines.



Defender - Kwame Awuah, SO, Connecticut



Despite UCONN's struggles in 2014 Kwame Awuah is my first repeat All-Canadian (alongside Cyle Larin) as he improved on his personal performance this season. Awuah started all 19 games for the Huskies scoring two goals and five assists from a full back position. With two years left at UCONN, Awuah might move up to a more winger position because of his great speed, although his size 5'7/145 could be an issue regarding playing at a higher level.



Midfielder - Emeka Ononye, SR, Wright State

Probably the least known of my All-Canadians, but a player who I feel deserves a shot at the pro level. The 6'3/200lbs Defensive Midfielder from Richmond Hill Ontario has been a dominant figure at Wright State and in the Horizon Conference. Ononye finished his college career playing 76 games, scoring seven goals and he was also the MVP of KW-United a team that included Jay Chapman and Sergio Camargo.



Midfielder - Ben McKendry, JR, New Mexico



The most high profile Canadian next season should be Ben McKendry, who is a Vancouver Whitecaps homegrown player and is potentially good enough to be signed into the MLS this season. If he remains at New Mexico he will be the face of the team in 2015. As a Junior in 2014, McKendry ended the season with 2 goals and 2 assists in 17 games playing mostly a holding midfield role and now has 14 goals and four assists in 61 career games. McKendry looks to be a good Canadian National Team prospect for the future already playing in a number of youth games.



Midfielder - Jay Chapman, JR, Michigan State



When I picked Jay Chapman on my All-Canadian team last year he was mostly unknown in the United States as Michigan State was not a high profile school in terms of soccer. However, success in last year's tournament, and despite some injuries early in the season, a successful run this year’s tournament has put Chapman on the map not only for MLS but Europe as well. The Junior has played 64 college games scoring 12 goals and nine assists and has good technical and leadership skills in the midfield position.



Midfielder - Sergio Camargo, SO, Coastal Carolina



Sergio Camargo has not been spectacular in college but he has been consistent and scored six goals and five assists in 21 games giving him 15 goals and 10 assists over the last two seasons. With recent graduates, much will be expected on Camargo to lead the Chanticleers as their main scoring threat next season. Hopefully he can live up to the hype around him following his time with Toronto FC Academy and the Canadian National Team.



Midfielder - Chris Nanco, SO, Syracuse



Another Sigma FC product, Chris Nanco was another Canadian who contributed to the success of the Orange in 2014. Nanco started 19 of 21 games scoring five goals and two assists and now has nine goals in 39 career college games. Like Awuah, Nanco does lack size at 5'6/145lbs, although the Sophomore has speed and an ability on the ball and if he can continue to improve his offensive performances he could be useful player for a pro team and the Canadian National Team.



Forward - Cyle Larin, SO, UCONN



A year ago I was questioned for saying Larin might be the most exciting men's soccer prospect out of Canada. Now I'm almost afraid there is too much hype. Larin is a quality player and showed it this year scoring nine goals in 16 games for a career 23 goals in 39 college games. He also has the athletic skills and size to play at the top level. I believe eventually he will be a quality player, however I hope the pressure of being a top pick doesn't put too much expectation on him.



Honorable Mentions:

If I was going to select another forward it be Josh Heard from Washington where the Junior scored seven goals in 20 games, or Whitecaps Homegrown player Sophomore Body Huitema, who had five goals and five assists with Duke. Other players who deserve a mention are: Defender and Sophomore Quinton Duncan who played 19 games with Tulsa; Sigma FC players, Junior Mark Gonzalez who was leading scorer with six goals and three assists for Evansville, and Sophomore Alex Halis who score four goals and two assists coming off of Syracuse's bench. Finally, Seniors, Greg Ranjitsingh a Goalkeeper with a 0.92 goals against average with Mercer, Bruce Cullen who scored two goals and six assists with Robert Morris, and Nolan Moore who was a contributor off the bench for one of the top schools Louisville.