Vancouver Whitecaps forward Joey Gjertsen was named the United Soccer Leagues First Division most valuable player Friday.
``It is a huge honour and I owe a lot of my success over the last two years to my teammates,'' said Gjertsen. ``I would like to thank the entire Whitecaps organization.''
Gjertsen, 24, playing in just his second season in the USL, led the Whitecaps with 13 goals and seven assists in 31 games this season. The five-foot-nine, 155-pound native of Tacoma, Wash., scored at least one goal in 11 games and was one of only 19 players in the league to play in all 28 regular-season games.
He was named to the Team of the Week five times and earned Player of the Week honours twice. He also was named to the all-league first team.
``It's a great accomplishment for him and a great accomplishment for our team,'' said Bob Lilley, the Whitecaps coach. ``He continues to grow as a player and I think he has the ability to get even better.''
The USL awards are voted on by the league's coaches and general managers. Gjertsen edged out Seattle forward Cam Weaver and Miami midfielder Zinho.
In other awards, Gabriel Gervais of the Montreal Impact was named defender of the year, Weaver was top rookie and Mike Anhaeuser of the Charleston Battery as coach of the year.
The Whitecaps will play the Rochester Raging Rhinos for the USL First Division championship Saturday.
