The end of a season is a time for reflection before one chapter closes and the next one has time to open.

That reflection can come in many forms, but one of the most anticipated and exciting ways is through the end of season awards ceremony.

This year, Vancouver FC hosted the club’s first official awards gala on Nov. 4, to celebrate the achievements of the 2024 squad as a whole and to recognize a few key players "who flew above the flock this year," said Rob Friend, team president.

Everyone from Vancouver FC – from ownership to staff to the first team and even U-19 squad, plus distinguished partners and supportive fans – came to participate in the celebration held at 91Ô­´´ Events Centre and emceed by goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos and midfielder Ben Fisk.

After dinner was served and jokes were shared, the evening culminated with the new accolades. Four awards were given out that night to three players.

There are few names that rise to the top when trying to select Vancouver’s most valuable player, but Callum Irving – the team captain who broke a number of league records in the 2024 season – was the obvious winner.

The goalkeeper was the only Eagle to start and play in all 29 of Vancouver’s matches this season, logging a franchise high of 2,610 minutes played.

The Vancouver native broke other records as well at a Canadian Premier League (CPL) level and, subsequently, for the club as well. Most notably this year, Irving registered 95 saves across CPL regular season play, which was not only the most among all goalkeepers, but it also set a new league record for the most saves in a single season.

Eleven of those 95 saves came in one single match against Halifax Wanderers FC on Oct. 5, tying the CPL record for the most saves in a single game that was set in 2021.

"The absolute masterclass of a goalkeeping performance that day is one to be studied by up-and-coming keepers and a clear demonstration of what Irving can and will do to keep Vancouver in the game," said Friend.

"However, it is not just the stops between the posts that makes Irving the most valuable player," he elaborated. "A true leader on and off the pitch, the 31-year-old keeper is relentlessly there for his teammates to literally pick them up when they feel down and give them a guiding hand to move forward." 

Vancouver has prided itself as a club that fosters young, aspiring talent, and James Cameron is the epitome of that mission. It wasn't a shock to many in the room that he won the U-21 player of the year award.

The native of North Vancouver had a breakout year in 2023 but has risen even further in 2024, said Friend.

Before the CPL season even kicked off, Cameron earned his first international call up to join Canada’s U-20 National team for the Concacaf U-20 Championship qualifiers.

Not only did Cameron and Canada qualify, the 19-year-old defender earned his place on Canada’s squad for the championship tournament itself in July. Cameron registered four caps at the championship, making an appearance in all of Canada’s matches including as a second half substitute in the quarterfinal.

Although Canada would fall to Panama in overtime and be eliminated from the championship, Cameron returned to Vancouver with a renewed confidence that showed on the pitch, said head coach Afshin Ghotbi.

The teenager made nine starts out of his last 10 matches for VFC to close out the season, and was relied upon to fill the impressive shoes of fellow teammates Kadin Chung and Paris Gee when they were both managing injuries. 

"Cameron may not have found the score sheet in 2024 but he did content toe-to-toe with some of the toughest names in the CPL, earning recognition at the CPL level as well with two team of the week nods and being named player of the month on three occasions," said Friend.

"Cameron’s consistency, as evident in leading all of VFC’s domestic U-21 players in minutes played with 1,146, hard work, and performance on the pitch" earned him this new award.

Last but not least, Rocco Romeo was the biggest winner of the evening.

The defender walked away with not one, but two honours at the 2024 awards gala, being recognized as the community leader of the year and receiving the fan’s choice award.

Romeo has become a bit of a household name across the Fraser Valley with his 6-foot-5 frame being easily spotted anywhere on the field, said Friend. 

Therefore, it was clear when Romeo scored his first goal for the Eagles on April 18 at home at Willoughby Park, something that felt like a long-time coming and celebrated throughout the stands. He would score again exactly one month later and, in the last game of VFC’s season, to become the third player to make 50 appearances for the Eagles across all competitions.

The native of Toronto, Ont., was even recognized at the league level earning three nominations to the team of the week; however, as important as Romeo’s impact was on the field, it was what he did off the field that stood out to those around him, the president explained.

Regardless of results, fans could count on Romeo making his rounds at Willoughby Park to thank each one who showed up in support of the club. He made sure to take individual time to sign autographs for the young fans who look (way) up to the professional soccer player who is giving them the time of day. 

"And the results were the same in every community event Romeo participated in. Whether it was through school visits, or picking up garbage in Fort 91Ô­´´, or just stopping by local youth practices, Romeo made time for it all," Friend said.

Maybe having No. 3 being the best-selling jersey for two years running could be some sort of quantitative indicator of Romeo’s impact in the community.

"But impact is a feeling, an impression, that can’t be pinned down by numbers and Romeo’s ability to always leave a positive one on those around him is the lasting mark of what Vancouver FC as a whole can do in the community."