Canada Soccer announced on Monday its list of nominees for various National Team awards, and FC Dallas' favorite (favourite?) Canadian is one of 12 nominees for Canada's Men's National Team Player of the Year.
Tesho Akindele scored 6 goals and 4 assists in 31 MLS appearances (15 starts) during 2016, but also added to his growing international resume. After cap-tying himself for neighbors to the north during the 2015 Gold Cup with international eligibility for both the U.S. and Canada.
Tesho played in 7 matches for the National Team, starting 4 of those, in 2016. He scored one goal on the year - the lone tally in a 1-1 friendly draw with Azerbaijan in June. The Calgary, Alberta-native played a large role in Canada's quest to reach CONCACAF's Hexagonal Round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, which they fell just short of in September.
Voting for the 2016 Canadian Players of the Year award is split between media and coaches from across Canada and is open from November 28-December 8. The Men's National Team Player of the Year will be named in mid-December.
Canada Soccer Men's National Team Program (#CANMNT)
Name / Club / City in which they grew up
- Tesho Akindele | USA / FC Dallas | Calgary, AB
- Scott Arfield | ENG / Burnley FC | Livingston, SCO
- Patrice Bernier | CAN / Impact Montréal FC | Brossard, QC
- Milan Borjan | BUL / PFK Ludogorets Razgrad | Hamilton, ON
- Marcel de Jong | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC & CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Newmarket, ON
- David Edgar | ENG / Sheffield United & CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Kitchener, ON
- David Junior Hoilett | ENG / Queen's Park Rangers & WAL / Cardiff City | Brampton, ON
- Atiba Hutchinson | TUR / Beşiktaş JK | Brampton, ON
- Cyle Larin | USA / Orlando City SC | Brampton, ON
- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC | Brampton, ON
- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC | Edmonton, AB
- Adam Straith | NOR / Fredrikstad FK | Victoria, BC
