Olivia Smith and Nathan Saliba named Canada Soccer’s 2024 Young Players of the Year 

Smith wins her second YPOTY award (2019); Saliba a first-time winner of YPOTY

Olivia Smith and Nathan Saliba have been named Canada Soccer’s 2024 Young Player of the Year (Women’s and Men’s respectively) as selected by their National Team Programs. Players born in 2004 or later were eligible for the Young Player of the Year award. 

Olivia Smith made nine appearances for CANWNT in 2024, including four starts registering three goals and three assists. She also appeared for CANW20, scoring two goals and leading Canada to the Round of 16 at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. At club level, she was named league MVP and best young player for the 2023-24 Campeonato Nacional Feminino season with Sporting CP. In June 2024, Smith moved to Liverpool FCW for a club record fee, where she became the first-ever woman to score for Liverpool at Anfield in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City WFC. 

Nathan Saliba made two appearances for CANMNT in 2024, earning his debut in Canada’s 2-1 win over the USA on 7 September. At club level, he had a breakout season with CF Montréal in Major League Soccer. Saliba featured 27 times for CF Montréal, scoring and assisting once in their 8th placed finish in the Eastern Conference. 

Canada Soccer will announce their 2024 Canada Soccer Player Awards winners this week. Voting for the 2024 Players of the Year is underway. Canada Soccer coaching staffs from their respective programs have determined Canada Soccer’s Young, Futsal and Para Players of the Year. 

2024 Canada Soccer Player Awards Schedule  

December 12 – Canada Soccer Player of the Year nominees announced  
December 16 – Canada Soccer Futsal Player of the Year winner announced  
December 16 – Allstate Good Hands® Award winner announced 
December 17 – Canada Soccer Para Player of the Year winner announced  
December 18 – Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year winners announced  
December 18 – Canada Soccer Player of the Year voting closes  
December 19 – Canada Soccer Player of the Year Top 3 finalists announced  
December 20 – Canada Soccer Player of the Year winners announced