The Canadian Soccer Association announced today the list of nominees for its 2009 player awards. Canadian media and coaches will be asked to select two players - one male and one female - for the Canadian Soccer Association's top prize, the Canadian Players of the Year award. The award will celebrate Canada's top-two soccer players in recognition of their 2009 achievements with both the national team and their respective club teams.

In 2009, Canada's men's national team posted four wins, one draw and three losses. At the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, it reached the quarter-final stage after finishing first in its group. On the women's side, the team posted two wins, one draw and four losses in the first year of a new four-year FIFA Women's World Cup/Olympic cycle. Under new head coach Carolina Morace, the team finished second at the 2009 Cyprus Women's Cup.

Voting for the Canadian Players of the Year will be split evenly by Canadian media and Canadian coaches who have taken the Canadian Soccer Association's national course at the B and A levels (including national-team coaches).

Along with the Canadian Player of the Year award, there are two additional awards that celebrate the top young prospects in Canadian soccer. Coaches from across the country will select four young stars from Canada's World Cup squads. two Canadian U-20 Players of the Year and two Canadian U-17 Players of the Year.

Voting will begin immediately and will conclude on Friday 11 December 2009. Voters will be asked to select three players (first place, second place and third place) in each category. All six winners will be announced during the week of 14-18 December.

Along with the three awards, the Canadian Soccer Association will host an online vote for the two CanadaSoccer.com Fans' Choices. Voting for the CanadaSoccer.com Fans' Choices will begin immediately and will conclude on 20 December 2009. Online voters will be asked to select their favourite male and favourite female Canadian soccer players. 

De Guzman won the 2008 adidas Canadian Player of the Year award, and he was named CanadaSoccer.com Fan's Choices 2007.

The Canadian Soccer Association provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, nationally and internationally, in cooperation with its members and partners. The Canadian Soccer Association strives to lead Canada to victory and Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer.

- De Rosario, Dwayne          M       Scarborough, ON, CAN    CAN / Toronto FC

- Gerba, Ali    F        Montréal, QC, CAN    CAN / Toronto FC

- Hutchinson, Atiba   M       Brampton, ON, CAN        DEN / F.C. København

- Jackson, Simeon     M       Mississauga, ON, CAN     ENG / Gillingham FC

- Johnson, Will         F        Toronto, ON, CAN   USA / Real Salt Lake

- Klukowski, Mike      D/M    Oshawa, ON, CAN     BEL / Club Brugge KV

- McKenna, Kevin      D/F     Calgary, AB, CAN  GER / 1. FC Köln

- Pizzolitto, Nevio     D        Montréal, QC, CAN    CAN / Impact de Montréal

- other selection

- Chapman, Candace D/M    Ajax, ON, CAN USA / FC Gold Pride

- Franko, Martina      F/D     Squamish, BC, CAN    USA / Los Angeles Sol

- LeBlanc, Karina      G        Maple Ridge, BC, CAN USA / Los Angeles Sol

- Matheson, Diana    M       Oakville, ON, CAN      NOR / Team Strømmen FK

- McLeod, Erin          G        Edmonton, AB, CAN   USA / Washington Freedom

- Moscato, Carmelina M       Mississauga, ON, CAN          ITA / U.P.C Tavagnacco

- Parker, Kelly M       Saskatoon, SK, CAN  USA / Sky Blue FC

- Sinclair, Christine    F        Burnaby, BC, CAN     USA / FC Gold Pride

- Wilkinson, Rhian     M       Baie d’Urfé, QC, CAN  NOR / Team Strømmen FK

- other selection