Murphy, Carter named 2025 Most Valuable Players

Teri Murphy and Harry Carter of the double-winning Holy Cross FC were named Most Valuable Players of Canada Soccer’s 2025 National Championships. The Canadian midfielders led Holy Cross FC to Canadian amateur titles on Thanksgiving Monday in their respective divisions for the men’s Challenge Trophy and the women’s Jubilee Trophy.

Murphy, a 29-year old midfielder and now three-time national champion, scored the match-winning goal in the Canadian Final at King George V Park in St. John’s. It was her second goal of the tournament, having scored the opening goal against FC Northwest Winnipeg on Thursday with a header from a Claire Kean corner kick. In the Monday Final, she scored on a header near the back post on a Keisha Younge free kick.

Carter, a 25-year old midfielder who like Murphy has grown up in St. John’s, scored a dramatic 1-1 equaliser in the Monday Final against Gloucester Celtic FC. He also scored his penalty in the shootout as Holy Cross FC won 5-3 on kicks. Earlier in the tournament, Carter delivered a definitive assist in Saturday’s 2-1 win over CS Rivière-des-Prairies, thus clinching Holy Cross FC’s spot in the Monday Final.

Across the youth divisions, Victoria Pimenta (Glen Shields Juventus FC) and Michael Allt (Bedford’s Suburban FC) were named Most Valuable Players at the U-17 Cup in Kamloops while Fée Houde (CS Optimum Victoriaville) and Ethan Secondino (Milton Magic FC) were named Most Valuable Players at the U-15 Cup in Charlottetown.

Canada Soccer’s National Championships serve as the pinnacle event to the 2025 amateur season, bringing together the best clubs from across the country. As the largest event to the nation’s most accessible sport, the National Championships provide a meaningful week-long soccer experience for host cities and participating teams, as well as the players, coaches, support staff, officials, and volunteers.