UFV’s Mateo Brazinha named U Sports men’s soccer player of the year

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Despite back-to-back seasons leading Canada West in goals and points, University of the Fraser Valley men’s soccer star Mateo Brazinha was still in a bit of disbelief after being named U Sports player of the year earlier this month.

Brazinha is the first UFV men’s soccer player ever to win the honour and just the second Cascades athlete in history to capture a U Sports player of the year award.

The Coquitlam product scored 13 goals and 15 points in 15 games this season and tied for first nationally in points. Those totals came following a 2024 campaign which also saw him tie for first nationally in points with 17 (nine goals and eight assists). He also won the CW player of the year in 2024 and 2025, a feat which hasn’t been done in more than 20 years.

Brazinha and the Cascades again finished third in the Pacific Division and posted a record of 7-4-4. The club advanced to the CW semifinals, but fell to UBC in that round for the second consecutive year. He told The News that winning the U Sports player of the year was a nice surprise.

“Is it bad to say I’m shocked,” he said, laughing when asked about his reaction to the win. “But I’m extremely delighted and happy. The people I’d like to thank are the team – I like to say they did all the hard work.”

Brazinha pointed out that injury issues were troubling him earlier this season and he had concerns that it could be an unlucky season. He also said the win is a bit sweeter because it’s rare that UFV soccer gets recognition nationally.

An example of some of the lack of respect UFV soccer receives in their own conference was the 2024 CW coaches poll. The Cascades were ranked 10th in the preseason that year, but ended up reaching the conference final four and nearly knocking off eventual national champion UBC in the semifinal.

Brazinha said 2025 was another memorable season for the program.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget this group,” he said. “We all supported each other and they all supported me and did something for me that I’ll never be able to repay.”

But the 2025 season didn’t start off perfectly for the Cascades, as they had to take on UBC and Victoria on the road to open. The club walked away with a tie and loss, but then went on a seven-game win streak and a four-game shutout streak to follow. Brazinha said that early adversity helped the team come together.

“Those are two unbelievable teams and to get them out of the way and then move on was nice, but we knew it wouldn’t be easy,” he said. “The attitude was let’s have a go at these guys, let’s test ourselves and see what we’re made of. And I think it turned out pretty good.”

This past season also saw teams more aware of Brazinha after his spectacular 2024 season and scheme more to stop him defensively. He said it meant less opportunities for him to set-up his teammates, but more chances for him to bury his chances.

“I like to run in behind the defence and when opponents played UFV in the past, they would play that line where I could do that,” he said. “But this year they saw that our attack was faster and would get behind us by surprise. So I would sometimes be in the role where I’d stand in the box and tap it in.”

Brazinha said his team was able to adjust to the opposition’s defensive plans and he was successfully able to cash in many of his scoring chances. He said a big reason for the team’s success is head coach Tom Lowndes. Brazinha shared that he invited Lowndes and several other university coaches to watch a high school soccer game of his to help his chances of being recruited. Lowndes was the only coach who showed, Brazinha was eventually recruited and a bond has developed since that day.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing under Tom and he’s given me so much confidence,” he said. “He’s a coach that players really want to play for, but for me it’s the confidence and belief he’s shown in me. I’ll owe him forever.”

Lowndes said the respect goes both ways.

“It’s fully deserved,” he told the Cascades website. “He’s scored a lot of big goals for us, and he is a true leader in our program. He’s a great player, a great kid, and probably the best player in UFV Athletics history, so I’m just really delighted for him. I’m so proud of him and what he has been able to achieve over the past couple of years.”

Brazinha confirmed he will back with UFV for his fifth and final season and the majority of the roster will be back for 2026. All-star goalie Matheus De Souza and top producers like Kevin Mailand and Michael Beecroft will again be key parts of the team next year.

The big obstacle in the way for UFV the last two years has been the UBC Thunderbirds. The Cascades have fallen to UBC in the semifinal round in 2024 and 2025, with both games needing extra time. The 2025 game saw a scoreless draw ended in the dying minutes – just moments before the game would have gone to the shootout.

“UBC is such a talented team, but we’ve got to find a way and we will next year,” he said. “We just have to find a way to get the job done. This year was so heartbreaking and we knew we were going to have to defend for longer periods, but when it got to that 125th minute and they score – we were just like oh my god.”

Outside of his life at UFV, Brazinha is heavily involved in coaching with the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club. He said he’s always had a brain for soccer and wants to stay involved with the sport in some way after graduation.

The professional route may also be an option, as Brazinha is eligible for the upcoming CPL-U Sports draft. It was surprising that he wasn’t selected last year, but with another excellent season under his belt that may happen. Canadian Premier League teams select 18 student-athletes over two rounds this year and then have the chance to crack that club’s roster. CPL teams in BC include Pacific FC (Langford) and Vancouver FC (Langley).

Brazinha and the Cascades return to the pitch in Abbotsford next August. For more, visit gocascades.ca.