Michael Petrasso has made a mark at many different clubs this year – and his latest achievement is being named Canadian Under-20 Male Player of the Year.
The 19-year-old winger from Toronto, a member of Queens Park Rangers in the Barclays Premier League, has gone on loan to four different clubs in 2014: Oldham Athletic, Coventry City, Leyton Orient and Notts County (where he is still currently on loan).
His year included a memorable bit of individual skill and near-goal for Oldham against Liverpool in the FA Cup, a brace on his debut with Coventry City and his first appearance with QPR’s first team. He was also a key figure for Canada’s U-20 team in recent games against England and Russia, scoring his nation’s opener against England.
“Michael has had a very good year, turning in terrific performance at loan clubs away from QPR and adds a different dimension for all the others when he joins the national squad,” said Canadian U-20 head coach Rob Gale in a news release. “Always fit and with terrific endurance and speed, he shows the others how to be a full 90-minute player. A very worthy winner.”
Petrasso is the fourth straight winner of Canada's U-20 male player of the year to have spent time at the Toronto FC Academy, following Dylan Carreiro (2013), Doneil Henry (2012) and Ashtone Morgan (2011).
In 2012, Petrasso and Carreiro both signed deals with QPR; Carreiro has since moved on to Dundee FC in Scotland. Both will likely be major contributors for Canada in next month’s CONCACAF U-20 Championship, which will serve as qualifying for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Petrasso finished ahead of Luca Gasparotto (Glasgow Rangers, on loan to Airdrieonians) and Manny Aparicio (Toronto FC) in the player of the year voting. All three have received call-ups to Canada’s senior national team under head coach Benito Floro. The votes came from national-team head coaches (50 percent) and Canadian clubs and coaches (50 percent).
The winner of Canadian Senior Male Player of the Year is to be announced Thursday.
