One of the brightest lights at the Island Games has earned his just due reward.
Cavalry FC newcomer Mohamed Farsi was recognized as the Best U21 Canadian Player of the Year at the 2020 Canadian Premier League Awards night held virtually on Nov. 26.
“We are delighted for Mohamed to win this award as he was an exciting addition to our team in 2020,” said Tommy Wheeldon Jr., Cavalry FC head coach and general manager. “He backed it up with some remarkable performances at the Island Games. Many young players get the opportunity, few grab it with both hands like Mo did.
“We look forward to many more moments of magic with him in 2021.”
Farsi made an immediate impact for the Cavs as an attacking full-back, winger, suiting up in all 10 games for the Cavalry at the CPL’s Island Games tournament — the condensed schedule the featured the league’s eight teams in a bubble on Prince Edward Island in the late summer.
The Montreal native contributed a goal and an assist, and was recognized for the Shot of the Year for his screamer of a right-footed strike versus Pacific FC.
HFX Wanderers full-back Chrisnovic N’Sa, who has since signed with York9 FC, and Valour FC centre-back Julian Dunn were the other finalists for the award, given to the player selected to have the best performance and overall attitude on and off the pitch.
“It’s simply work and perseverance,” said Farsi, through a translator on the online awards show. “He didn’t come to Cavalry as a hot-shot in his mind and he put the work into his game and that made the whole difference at the end of the day.”
Prior to joining the Cavalry, Farsi had developed a standout futsal player in La Belle Province.
“The style of play that Cavalry has fits his own game,” Farsi added, again through translation. “He likes to run, he likes to press and that’s how he felt at home.”
In a crowded field of candidates, Forge FC midfielder Kyle Bekker edged out Pacific’s Marco Bustos and HFX Wanderers forward Akeem Garcia to earn the CPL MVP award.
Forge shot-stopper Triston Henry earned the Golden Glove Award as the league’s top goalkeeper while Garcia walked away as the Golden Boot winner with a CPL-best six tallies at the Island Games.
Also earning league acclaim was long-time Canadian skipper Stephen Hart, the HFX Wanderers bench boss, who was named the CPL’s Coach of the Year.
For more information on the CPL awards go to canpl.ca.
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