by Cheeta
It's your last chance to participate in the polling for the 2009 edition of the Voyageur's International Player of the Year. Voting ends 12:01 AM EST New Years Day 2010 and the past year has produced probably the most wide open field of candidates for the IPoY in quite some time.
Club Brugge stalward Mike Klukowski is the bookies favourate as the veteran defender's impressive club resume was reinforced by yet another stellar performance in this summers Gold Cup. Canada's first choice wingback was selected to the Gold Cup's 1st Eleven (along with team mate Julian de Guzman) after an outstanding tournament which helped to highlight to Canadian footie fans why this left footed 'back has become such a fixture with the Belgian Juliper league side and a recognized face in Europe's top club compitions over the past few years.
But the educated & informed Voyageur population rightfully finds worthy competitors for this years trophy both at home and abroad.
CSA Male Player of the Year, Simeon Jackson has been all over the sporting news in 2009 not only for his dramatic exploits with England's Gillingham but for his striker performances with Canada's senior Mens National Team. Young Mr. Jackson continues to work his tale of skill, determination, and hard work into the opening chapters of what hopefully will be one of those great, and lengthy stories of athletic success. Even taking in context the lower leagues in which the fleet footed striker is playing there is no denying that Canadian fans are being teased with all the hallmarks of greatness, and the polling is showing that the potential on display may be worthy of a vote.
If Simeon Jackson is on route to inherit Canada's "Wee Man" title up front from '08 IPoY Tomasz Radzinski, Wil Johnson, as a different sort of animal, has an MLS Cup winners medal and a years worth of rave revues from this side of the Atlantic to give Voyageurs pause for thought as they contemplate their votes for International Player of the Year. Mr. Johnson's cerebral determination, unquestionable work rate and footballing ambition has well served the progress of a young career which demands if not the recognition of Canadian fans at this point, then for certain, at least their astute attention.
For all of their successes in 2009 it's impossible for some players, especially those who play in European leagues outside of England, Italy, or Spain, to help but fly under the popular radar. A trio of Dark Horses threaten to throw a wrench into the gear-works of this years polling and it would be a hard argument to make that out as a great injustice if they did. A hard argument indeed.
Copenhagen star and Voyageur's 2006 IPoY Atiba Hutchinson continued to build his club reputation through 2009, and in a year when the much vaunted Canadian midfield struggled to live up to expectations on the international stage, the versatile Hutchinson more than pulled his weight.
Holland cannot hold young Marcel de Jong. Barring serious injury there is no denying the Canadian born Dutchman is destined for things bigger and better than the Eredivisie. And if he can manage to hold to the course he's set for himself, Mr. de Jong is not a player who looks like he will allow himself to be overmatched on any World Cup stage you wish to set.
From Canada, to England, Germany and on to Asia Minor, Josh Simpson has over the past few years put hardship and injury behind him in his travels as he's built on success after success in these earliest stages of his career. That's no small feat, and when added to a lengthy and critical acclaimed tour with the MNT during the '09 calender year a season worth well worth consideration.
It's the Voyageur's International Player of the Year. Weigh contributions to club and country as your judgment sees fit, but be sure to have your voice heard as the clock is ticking. We're down to the last 48 hours.
Voting ends at 12:01 AM EST, New Years Day, 2010.