

Posted by

Steve Bottjer ,

December 7, 2014 Email

Steve Bottjer

On Twitter:

@BottjerRNO

2014 has been an interesting year for the players who make up the core of the Canadian Men’s National Team. While many have blossomed or regained their form at the International level under Head Coach Benito Floro, few Canadians delivered standout performances with successful teams at the club level. Not surprisingly, midfielder Atiba Hutchinson has been in fine form at the club level this season and has excelled at a high level as a key player for Besiktas in Turkey. Defender David Edgar has also played well for club and country, with the Kitchener, Ontario native taking a step forward in establishing himself as an important team leader for the national team. Up front, Tosaint Ricketts has also been a solid performer for both club and country.



A handful of players had very good years for the national team but either struggled to earn minutes at the club level or were unattached for much of the year, with Julian de Guzman, Milan Borjan, Issey Nakajima-Farran and Adam Straith all earning their nominations essentially on the back of their strong play for Canada.



Given that it has been something of an off year for Canadian players at the club level, outside of a few exceptions, the onus for selecting a Canadian Male Player of the Year ultimately falls heavily on how Canadian players performed at the International level. We asked a handful of contributors to RedNation Online to give us their thoughts on this year's award and who deserves the accolade in 2014.



RNO Roundtable: Who is the Male Canadian Player of the Year?



Here are the nominees:



- Milan Borjan | BUL / Ludogorets Razgrad | Hamilton, ON

- David Edgar | ENG / Birmingham City | Kitchener, ON

- Julian de Guzman | unattached | Scarborough, ON

- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC | Brampton, ON

- Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Besiktas | Brampton, ON

- Issey Nakajima-Farran | CAN / Impact de Montréal | Calgary, AB

- Tosaint Ricketts | ISR / Hapoel Haifa | Edmonton, AB

- Adam Straith | unattached | Victoria, BC



Aaron Nielsen: Atiba Hutchinson



2014 has been a better year in terms of the Men's National team performance although individually in terms of Canadian players representing their clubs it's been a bit disappointing. The biggest disappointment have been the performances of Canadians in the MLS although with the new homegrown/USL Pro policy in place this should mean more Canadians will be given opportunities to play and hopefully they will develop into strong players. Atiba Hutchinson has been the best Canadian player, being a key player at Bestiktas in Turkey, which is one of the top tier two leagues in Europe. To me, the most interesting story has been Ian Hume’s adventure at Kerala Blasters in India and their new Super League and it will be interesting to see how this league will grow with attendances already in the 30,000+ range.



Steve Bottjer: Milan Borjan



While Atiba Hutchinson has had a fine year at the club level and has represented Canada well in the games he played for Canada in 2014, I have keeper Milan Borjan just edging him for the Male Canadian Player of the Year. Borjan appears to have sealed his spot as Canada’s number one goalkeeper and he has been very effective, polished and consistent as the national team’s standout player over the past calendar year. While the most encouraging aspect of the improving Canadian National Team under Benito Floro has genuinely been the all-around team play, Borjan has risen to the occasion again and again and made key stops over and over again as Canada delivered an impressive run of form. His exceptional Manuel Neuer impression as a mobile sweeper keeper in Canada’s 3-1 win at home over Jamaica was the standout national team performance by a Canadian for me.



Rob Notenboom: Atiba Hutchinson



This is a bit of a difficult one. Many of the players nominated played very well for Canada this year but have issues at their club. For me, to be Player of the Year it is important to have great performances in both areas and that automatically eliminates DeGuzman and Straith. Issey and Doneil had better club campaigns, but in my opinion didn't do enough on either front to warrant Player of the Year. Ricketts had a great year in Turkey's 2nd division, scored some great goals there, and had a solid year with the National Team, but I still don't feel that it stands up as well.



That leaves three players, Hutchinson, Borjan, and Edgar. Borjan didn't have huge success at club level, but at least found a club and made a couple of appearances including a high profile Champions League appearance for Ludogorets against Liverpool. However, despite a lack of real club success, he has been lights out for the Nats making several highlight reel saves especially against Jamaica. Edgar had a very good club season going but has since been frozen out in Birmingham following a managerial change. He also has been great for Canada. Calm and steady at the back and good with the ball at his feet, Edgar also scored the CMNT goal of the year against Jamaica.



However it is hard for me not to go with Atiba Hutchinson for one reason: consistent, high-level play. Being a regular starter and contributor for a Champions League (and now Europa League team) puts Atiba above all his Canadian teammates on the club front. Garnering praise from Arsene Wenger doesn't hurt either. On the Men's National Team side, Hutch hasn't had spectacular performances, but instead a series of quality performances where he consistently reminds us of his footballing pedigree. That makes him my pick for Men's POY.



Stuart Mactaggart: Atiba Hutchinson



No one has stood out more for me in 2014 than Atiba Hutchinson, which is why I believe he is the Canadian Player of the Year. The versatile midfielder played a big role in the Men’s National Team in 2014, despite the fact they only had five scheduled matches. He provided the National Team with both experience and composure through the middle and was able to score from the penalty spot vs Bulgaria.



At a club level, Hutchinson plays an important role at Bestikas, where he is helping the Turkish club lead the Super Lig. He was named Man of the Match in Bestikas’ Champions League qualifier vs Feyenoord, and had a fantastic game against Arsenal. Gunners coach Arsene Wenger called him Bestikas’ best player vs Arsenal and said he was impressed by the Canadian’s performance.



Hutchinson has now seen the Turkish club through the group stages of the Europa League and there is no surprise that rumours about him making his way to the EPL have surfaced, as West Ham look to be interested in the Canadian’s service. Although Hutchinson is usually impressive and consistent, he hit a new stride in 2014 that saw him become a key player in both the Canada and Bestikas squads and he deserves the praise he has received this year.



Sam Gregory: Milan Borjan



In what was a bit of a revival year for the Canadian men's national team, after a 2013 to forget, Milan Borjan played every minute for Canada and only conceded four goals. Borjan made the national team starting keeper job his own in 2014 taking a step ahead of the likes of Hirschfeld and Stamatopolous. He wrapped up his year with the national team keeping a clean sheet away in Panama. He seems to be developing a more comfortable relationship with what is becoming consistent back four for Canada. Borjan also became the first Canadian to appear in the group stage of the Champions League since 2007, in what was admittedly an ill-fated loss for his club side Ludagorets against Liverpool. 2014 was a year in which Milan Borjan took a step up, this can only be good news for the Canadian National Team and for these reasons he is my Canadian men's player of the year.



Kamal Hylton: Doneil Henry



As the men’s side continues to develop under coach Benito Floro I going to give Canada’s Male Player of the Year to Doneil Henry. His role with the national team has continued to grow and Floro is looking to rely on him more and more. In a pinch he can play as a fullback, but his partnership in central defence alongside a guy like David Edgar will be crucial for the Gold Cup and World Cup Qualifying.