UFV's Mateo Branzinha named 2025 U SPORTS men’s soccer player of the year

Mateo Brazinha, a fourth-year forward from UFV, has been named the winner of the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy as the U SPORTS player of the year in men’s soccer. Other national award winners announced during the All-Canadian Banquet held in Toronto on Wednesday were Mount Royal forward Chanan Chanda, who won the Lou Bilek Award for rookie of the year; David Harrison of Sherbrooke, who won the Student-Athlete Community Service Award for the second straight time; and UBC’s Mike Mosher, who won Fox40 coach of the year honours.

The 2025 U SPORTS championship gets underway Thursday at Varsity Stadium on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto and culminates Sunday with the national championship game at 2 p.m. All 11 games from the eight-team tournament will be streamed live on CBC Sports digital platforms in English and Radio-Canada’s digital platforms in French.

JOE JOHNSON MEMORIAL TROPHY (player of the year): Mateo Brazinha, UFV

After earning conference player of the year honours last season, Mateo Brazinha proved again in 2025-26 why he is the most dangerous offensive player in Canada West. He becomes the first UFV men’s soccer player to win the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy for U SPORTS Player of the Year, and just the second UFV student-athlete to win U SPORTS player of the year honours.

The fourth-year UFV Cascades striker battled back from preseason injuries to score 13 goals in 13 regular season games and lead the conference. The UFV captain also added a pair of assists to finish tied for the U SPORTS lead in points. Of the 13 regular season matches played, Brazinha posted goals in nine and added four multi-goal games. 

The talismanic striker is the first player in UFV history to earn Canada West player of the year honours for a second time, and the first men’s soccer player since UBC’s Aaron Richer in 2002 and 2003 to earn back-to-back Canada West player of the year recognition. Brazinha’s historic season saw him claim Cascades’ program career records for goals (27), assists (12), and points (39).

Other nominees: Max Piepgrass (Cape Breton), Alexandre Marcoux (UQTR), John Moncanda (Trent). 

LOU BILEK AWARD (rookie of the year): Chanan Chanda, Mount Royal

Forward Chanan Chanda made an immediate impact, emerging as a key offensive force and helping Mount Royal finish atop the Prairie Division standings. The Calgary product started all 14 regular season games he appeared in, establishing himself as a constant threat in the attacking third. Chanda recorded eight goals and three assists—ranking tied for third in Canada West in both goals and total points. His breakout campaign earned him recognition as both a Canada West Second Team All-Star and a member of the All-Rookie Team.

Other nominees: Kautchy Andji-Yapi (Moncton), Edouard Bazinet (Sherbrooke), Marco Sciortino (York).

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: David Harrison, Sherbrooke

David Harrison, a fifth-year Physical and Health Education student at Université de Sherbrooke, is a leader in both academics and athletics. 

Off the field, Harrison’s dedication to community service shines through his extensive volunteer work. He has dedicated hours to Moisson Estrie, supported various university events, and played an active role in the Vert & Or athletes' committee, strengthening communication and cohesion among athletes. Beyond campus, he has participated in local initiatives like the climate march and volunteered with organizations such as Operation Red Nose and Héma-Québec, where he encourages his teammates to give back through plasma donations. His leadership, empathy, and community spirit earned him the Chantal Navert scholarship in 2023, honoring his contributions to team unity, social responsibility, and self-improvement.

Other nominees: Jake Wilcox (Saint Mary’s), Yigal Bruk (York), T-boy Fayia (MacEwan). 

FOX40 COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Mosher, UBC

In this his 30th season at the helm of the UBC Thunderbirds men’s soccer program, head coach, Mike Mosher, accomplished something that had never been done in the history of the Canada West: produce a 15-win, undefeated season. 

Leading the defending conference and national champion Thunderbirds into a tenth consecutive Canada West Final this weekend, Mosher’s squad led the conference this year with 44 goals while also boasting a CW best eight against. 

A former T-Bird player himself, Mosher has guided his team to five U SPORTS National Championship banners as a head coach along with 12 Canada West titles including six of the last seven. Racking up 249 total conference wins to date, this is Mosher’s fourth Canada West Coach of the Year nod, having last received the honour in 2015.

Consistently recruiting some of this country’s top U19 talent to Point Grey, Mosher has developed a winning culture that has borne fruit over his entire tenure with the Thunderbirds.

This is Mosher’s second U SPORTS Coach of the Year Award having also received the honour in 2013.

Other nominees: Alan Jazi (Dalhousie), Shany Black (UQTR), Jon Morgan (Waterloo).

The all-Canadian and all-rookie teams were also announced Wednesday. A complete list follows.