February 2013: Piette, McLeod named Canada Soccer Players of the Month

Canada Soccer is pleased to recognize Samuel Piette and Erin McLeod as Players of the Month for February 2013.

Piette, a capped Men’s National Team player, started all three matches of Canada’s campaign at the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship – scoring a pair of highlight-reel goals along the way.

The 18-year-old midfielder won praise at the tournament for his hard-nosed, dynamic style in midfield for Canada. Piette, one of the leaders of the U-20 team, took the captain’s arm-band when Doneil Henry left the tournament quarter-final due to injury.

Ahead of the CONCACAF Championship, Piette made his debut for the Fortuna Düsseldorf U-19 Team on 3 February in the U-19 Bundesliga in Germany.

McLeod, who finished Canada’s January action on a high by being named player of the match – and keeping a clean sheet – in the team’s 0:0 draw against Norway at the Yongchuan Cup in China, has been commended for her excellent work-rate and leadership at the Women’s National Team’s February camp in Cyprus.

“Erin showed a professional and highly-motivated attitude during the team’s pre-tournament training camp in February in Cyprus,” said Canadian Head Coach John Herdman.

“Keepers can often get overlooked in terms of awards and recognition – but Erin’s presence as one of the leaders on this team has been, and will continue to be invaluable.

Notes:

•  Each month, Canada Soccer will celebrate one male and one female Canadian footballer in recognition of their outstanding performances with country and/or club. The winners will be announced via the Association’s official website, CanadaSoccer.com.

CANADA SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
February 2013 – Samuel Piette and Erin McLeod
January 2013 – Dejan Jakovic and Diana Matheson
December 2012 – Atiba Hutchinson and Christine Sinclair
November 2012 – Kevin McKenna and Erin McNulty
October 2012 – Atiba Hutchinson and Diana Matheson
September 2012 – Kevin McKenna and Tiffany Cameron
August 2012 – Patrice Bernier and Christine Sinclair
July 2012 – Patrice Bernier and Melissa Tancredi
June 2012 – Julian de Guzman and Diana Matheson
May 2012 – Milan Borjan and Christine Sinclair
April 2012 – Atiba Hutchinson and Alyssa Lagonia
March 2012 – Olivier Occean and Sophie Schmidt