The end of a season is a time for reflection before one chapter closes and the next one has time to open. That reflection can come in many forms but one of the most anticipated and exciting ways is through the end of season awards ceremony. This year, Vancouver FC hosted the club’s first official Awards Gala to celebrate the achievements of the 2024 squad as a whole and to recognize a few key players who flew above the flock this year.
The night was one of elegance and class as the gala began to bustle with conversation at the Langley Event Centre. Everyone from Vancouver FC from ownership to staff to the first team and even U-19 squad, plus distinguished partners and supportive fans came to participate in the celebration of an exciting 2024 VFC season.
The whole affair was emceed by goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos and midfielder Ben Fisk, who one could argue have a solid back-up career option when the time comes. After dinner was served and jokes were shared, the evening culminated in the awards presentation. There were four awards granted on Monday night including Most Valuable Player, presented by Knightsbridge Capital, U-21 Player of the Year, presented by Fraser Valley Soccer League, Community Leader of the Year, presented by Artiginao, and Fan’s Choice Award, presented by David Smith Homes.
And without further ado, Vancouver FC’s Player Award winners were:
Callum Irving – Most Valuable Player, presented by Knightsbridge Capital
There are few names that rise to the top when thinking about Vancouver’s most valuable player in 2024 and Captain Callum Irving is certainly one of them. The goalkeeper was the only Eagle to start and play in all 29 of Vancouver’s matches across all competitions this year, logging a franchise high of 2,610 minutes played.
The native of Vancouver, B.C., broke other records as well at a Canadian Premier League (CPL) level and, subsequently, for the club as well. Most notably this year, Irving registered 95 saves across CPL regular season play which was not only the most amongst all goalkeepers, but it also set a new League record for the most saves in a single season.
Eleven of those 95 saves came in one single match against Halifax Wanderers FC on Oct. 5, 2024, tying the CPL record for the most saves in a single game which was set in 2021. The absolute masterclass of a goalkeeping performance that day is one to be studied by up-and-coming keepers and a clear demonstration of what Irving can and will do to keep Vancouver in the game.
However, it is not just the stops between the posts that makes Irving the most valuable player. A true leader on and off the pitch, the 31-year-old keeper is relentlessly there for his teammates to literally pick them up when they feel down and give them a guiding hand to move forward.
Irving made milestones this year for the franchise by becoming the first player to reach the “Golden Club” of 50 VFC appearances across all competitions. He also registered the Eagles first penalty save on June 27 against B.C.-rivals Pacific FC and would do it again on August 31 against Atlético Ottawa to set a new CPL-career high in penalty saves.
The mighty performance of Irving this year did not go unnoticed across the League including earning four CPL Team of the Week (CPL) nods, three Performance of the Match (POTM) recognitions, and earning the title of Player of the Week (POTW) twice. Irving even won the League’s Goalkeeper of the Month award in May but it is all of that combined and more that makes Irving Vancouver’s most valuable player.
James Cameron – U21 Player of the Year Award, presented by Fraser Valley Soccer League
Vancouver has prided itself as a club who can foster young, aspiring talent and James Cameron is the epitome of that mission. The native of North Vancouver, B.C., had a breakout year in 2023 but has risen even further in 2024.
Before the CPL season even kicked off, Cameron earned his first international call up to join Canada’s U-20 National team for the Concacaf U-20 Championship qualifiers. Not only did Cameron and Canada qualify, the 19-year-old defender earned his place on Canada’s squad for the Championship tournament itself in July. Cameron registered four caps at the Championship, making an appearance in all of Canada’s matches including as a second half substitute in the quarterfinal.
Although Canada would fall to Panama in overtime and be eliminated from the Championship, Cameron returned to Vancouver with a renewed confidence that showed on the pitch. The teenager made nine starts out of his last 10 matches for VFC to close out the season and was relied upon to fill the impressive shoes of fellow teammates Kadin Chung and Paris Gee when they were both managing injuries.
Cameron may not have found the scoresheet in 2024 but he did content toe-to-toe with some of the toughest names in the CPL, earning recognition at the CPL level as well with two TOTW nods and being named POTM on three occasions. Cameron’s consistency, as evident in leading all of VFC’s domestic U-21 players in minutes played with 1,146, hard work, and performance on the pitch has earned him VFC’s U-21 Player of the Year Award.
Rocco Romeo – Community Leader of the Year Award, presented by Artigiano & Fan’s Choice Vote, presented by David Smith Homes
The biggest winner of the evening was Rocco Romeo who walked away with not one, but two awards at the 2024 Awards Gala, being recognized as the Community Leader of the Year and Fan’s Choice. Romeo has become a household name across the Fraser Valley with his 6’5 frame being easily spotted anywhere on the field.
Therefore, it was clear when Romeo scored his first goal for the Eagles on Apr. 18, 2024 right at home at Willoughby Park, something that felt like a long-time coming and celebrated throughout the stands. Romeo would score again exactly one month later and, in the last game of VFC’s seasons, became the third player to make 50 appearances for the Eagles across all competition to join the “Golden Club”. The native of Toronto, Ont., was even recognized at the League level earning three nominations to the TOTW; however, as important as Romeo’s impact was on the field, it was what he did off the field that stood out to those around him.
Regardless of results, fans could count on Romeo making his rounds at Willoughby Park to thank each one who showed up in support of the club. He made sure to take individual time to sign autographs for the young fans who look (way) up to the professional soccer player who is giving them the time of day.
And the results were the same in every community event Romeo participated in. Whether it was through school visits, or picking up garbage in Fort Langley, or just stopping by local youth practices, Romeo made time for it all. The defender wouldn’t even let an injury slow him down in the community, helping with the promotion for the CPL “On Tour” match in Kelowna to allow his teammates to focus on the result on the pitch.
Maybe having No. 3 being the best selling jersey for two years running could be some sort of quantitative indicator of Romeo’s impact in the community. But impact is a feeling, an impression, that can’t be pinned down by numbers and Romeo’s ability to always leave a positive one on those around him is the lasting mark of what Vancouver FC as a whole can do in the community.
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And with that comes the end of the 2024 Vancouver FC season. We can’t wait to see you all again next year!
