Jonathan David, Vanessa Gilles eye Canada Soccer players of the year repeat

Jonathan David and Vanessa Gilles, last year's winners, are up for Canada Soccer player of the year again.

David is up against Ali Ahmed, Tajon Buchanan, Promise David, Richie Laryea, Tani Oluwaseyi, Niko Sigur and Dayne St. Clair.

Gilles's competition comes from Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Adriana Leon, Emma Regan, Jayde Riviere, Janine Sonis, Holly Ward and Shelina Zadorsky.

The two winners are recognized as co-winners of the award.

The men's and women's nominees were chosen by the respective national team coaching staffs. The winners, to be decided by a vote of Canadian sports media and coaches, will be announced Dec. 19.

The young player, Para, and futsal player of the year award winners are determined by coaches from their respective programs. The Allstate Good Hands Award, which recognizes the top save by a Canadian national team goalkeeper in international play, is decided by a fan vote.

Jonathan David and Canada captain Alphonso Davies have combined to win the award six of the last seven years, with Davies honoured four times and David twice. Stephen Eustaquio won the award in 2023.

Davies, who only returned to action Tuesday with Bayern Munich after a 262-day absence due to a knee injury, is not nominated this year. Neither is women's captain Jessie Fleming, who won the award from 2021 to '23.