Atletico Ottawa’s Noah Abatneh and Gabriel Antinoro are among the five nominees for the Canadian Premier League’s Best Canadian U-21 Player award.

The two are joined by Vancouver FC’s Thierno Bah, Halifax’s Tiago Coimbra and Forge FC’s Hoce Massunda.

The CPL has expanded the finalists to five from three year, “reflecting the exceptional depth of young Canadian talent showcased throughout the 2025 CPL campaign.”

The winner, decided by a vote of the eight CPL clubs’ technical leadership as well as select media members, will be announced Nov. 7 in Ottawa as part of the league championship game festivities.

Abatneh, a defender, was a finalist for the 2024 U-21 award won by Forge’s Kwasi Poku. Antinoro, a midfielder, was the only U-21 domestic player to appear in all 28 matches for his club

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