Haber named USL-1 Rookie of the Year

Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Marcus Haber has been selected United Soccer League First Division Rookie of the Year. Haber was selected the top new professional as voted by the league’s coaches and general managers.



Haber scored eight goals in his first season with his hometown Whitecaps FC. The team reached the final and has since reached the USL-1 playoff final. Whitecaps FC open the final two-match leg against the Impact de Montréal this Saturday at Swangard Stadium.



“I have had great teammates around me,” said Haber. “Personal things are always great, but first and foremost you have to look back and thank the people that made it possible.”



Along with the USL-1 season, Haber also played for Whitecaps FC in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship. He scored one goal in three games as Vancouver finished second behind Toronto FC.



At the international level, Haber represented Canada at the 2009 CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship in Trinidad & Tobago. Just last year, he played for Canada at the 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualification Tournament, helping Canada come within a win of qualifying for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.



Haber is the second Whitecaps FC player to win the USL-1 Rookie of the Year award. Vancouver’s Giuliano Oliviero previously won the award in 1995. Haber is also the first Canadian to win the award since Nikola Budalic did so in 2002.



Along with Haber’s USL-1 trophy, he also claimed the 2009 Whitecaps’ Newcomer of the Year award and the Whitecaps’ Fan Favourite award.