1973 National Soccer League season

Last updated
National Soccer League
Season1973
Champions
  • Toronto Croatia (regular season, 4th title)
  • Toronto Hungaria (playoffs, 1st title)
League cupToronto Hungaria
Top goalscorer John Fahy (24)
Keith Summers (24) [1]
Best goalkeeper Blagoje Tamindžić [1]
← 1972
1974 →

The 1973 National Soccer League season was the fiftieth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May and concluded in late October with Toronto Hungaria defeating Toronto Croatia for the NSL Championship. Toronto Hungaria repeated their success by defeating Croatia for the NSL Cup, which marked the organization's first league double. [2] Although Toronto Croatia was defeated in the postseason, they still managed to secure the regular-season title and qualified for the Canadian Open Cup. [3] [4] In the Canadian Open Cup final Toronto successfully defended the title for the third consecutive season by defeating Challenge Trophy finalists Toronto West Indies United. [5]

Contents

Toronto Croatia was scheduled to participate in the 1973 CONCACAF Champions' Cup against Club América, but the series of matches failed to materialize. [6] [7] Stanley Park Stadium was employed for the final time as the Toronto clubs transferred their home venue to the CNE Stadium in 1974. [8] The league experienced a further increase in match attendance. [9]

Overview

The National Soccer League (NSL) was embroiled in a dispute with the Toronto Indoor Soccer League over the usage of players during the offseason. [10] The NSL teams forbade their contracted players from participating in the indoor league without the consent of their clubs. [11] Despite the ban, many NSL players ignored the decision and continued playing in the indoor league. [12] [13] The league increased in membership to 17 teams with the approval of additional teams in Toronto, and Montreal. [12] The NSL expanded into Quebec with the return of Montreal Cantalia, and the Toronto representatives were Toronto Melita and Toronto Polonia. [12] Melita previously competed in the Toronto & District Soccer League. [14]

Several teams were rebranded with Hamilton Apollos becoming Hamilton City, and Toronto Olympia was renamed, Toronto Homer. [12] London City acquired the NSL franchise rights from London German Canadians, and Toronto Hellas had their franchise revoked. [12] The league had an increase in match attendance with Serbian White Eagles, and Toronto Croatia averaging the most. [9] [8] The season also marked the final time the Toronto-based clubs would utilize Stanley Park Stadium as their home venue as the municipal government decided to convert the field into a park. [8] The league administration addressed the continuing fan violence throughout the NSL with league president Joe Piccininni committing to placing stiffer fines the following season. [15] The league table was modified after the Ottawa Tigers were suspended in late August after incurring financial problems. [1] [16] [17]

Teams

TeamCityStadiumManager
Hamilton City Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton Croatia Hamilton, Ontario Brian Timmis Stadium [18] Sid Sokles [19]
Hamilton Italo-Canadians Hamilton, Ontario Brain Timmis Stadium [18]
London City London, Ontario Cove Road Stadium
Montreal Cantalia Montreal, Quebec Verdun Stadium [20] Franco Gallina [21]
Ottawa Tigers [note 1] Ottawa, Ontario Mooney's Bay Sports Complex [22] Sandro Rausa [23]
Serbian White Eagles Toronto, Ontario CNE Stadium [24]

Stanley Park Stadium [24]

Mladen Sarić [25]
Srbija Kitchener Kitchener, Ontario
St. Catharines Heidelberg St. Catharines, Ontario Club Heidelberg Field [26] Alex Crawley [16]
Toronto Croatia Toronto, Ontario CNE Stadium [24]

Stanley Park Stadium [24]

Vladimir Šimunić [7]
Toronto First Portuguese Toronto, Ontario CNE Stadium [24]

Stanley Park Stadium [24]

Enidio Graca [27]
Toronto Homer Toronto, Ontario CNE Stadium [24]

Stanley Park Stadium [24]

Toronto Hungaria Toronto, Ontario CNE Stadium [24]

Stanley Park Stadium [24]

Toronto Italia York, Ontario York Stadium [9] Giovanni Fanello [28]
Toronto Melita Toronto, Ontario CNE Stadium [24]

Stanley Park Stadium [24]

Toronto Polonia Toronto, Ontario CNE Stadium [24]

Stanley Park Stadium [24]

Toronto Ukrainians Toronto, Ontario CNE Stadium [24]

Stanley Park Stadium [24]

  1. ↑ Ottawa withdrew from league midway through the season

Coaching changes

TeamOutgoing coachManner of
departure		Date of
vacancy		Position in tableIncoming coachDate of
appointment
Montreal Cantalia Ricardo Musci [29] replacedJuly, 1973 Franco Gallina July, 1973
Toronto Italia Hector Marinaro, Sr. [30] replacedJuly, 1973 Giovanni Fanello July, 1973
St. Catharines Heidelberg John Santesso [31] replacedAugust 25, 19731stAlex Crawley [32] August 25, 1973

Standings

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Toronto Croatia (C)3022447123+4848Qualification for Playoffs
2 Serbian White Eagles 3022176621+4545
3Toronto First Portuguese3017855233+1942
4Toronto Hungaria (O)3017766835+3341
5 Toronto Italia 3016595537+1837
6Toronto Homer3014885835+2336
7 London City 3012994743+433
8 St. Catharines Heidelberg 30127113739−231
9 Hamilton Croatia 30109115553+229
10Toronto Melita30810123745−826
11 Toronto Ukrainians 3095164548−323
12 Hamilton City 3087153958−1923
13 Montreal Cantalia 3087153958−1923
14 Hamilton Italo-Canadians 3049172064−4417
15Srbija Kitchener3045212977−4813
16Toronto Polonia3053223083−5313
Updated to match(es) played on October 30, 1973. Source: http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/NSL_1921_1992.pdf
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners

Playoffs

Quarterfinals

October 13, 1973 Toronto Croatia 2–1 Toronto Italia Toronto, Ontario
Mirko Basic Soccerball shade.svg, Soccerball shade.svg[ [33] Report]Carlos Jorge Soccerball shade.svgStadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Attendance: 871
October 14, 1973 Serbian White Eagles 2–1 Toronto Homer Toronto, Ontario
Stojanovic Soccerball shade.svg, Soccerball shade.svg[ [33] Report]Peter Testepasis Soccerball shade.svgStadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Attendance: 1112
Referee: John Highet
October 14, 1973 Toronto First Portuguese 4–1 London City Toronto, Ontario
[ [34] Report]Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
October 15, 1973 Toronto Hungaria 2–1 St. Catharines Heidelberg Toronto, Ontario
Fahy Soccerball shade.svg
Allan Callender Soccerball shade.svg		[ [35] Report]Daniel McIntosh Soccerball shade.svgStadium: Stanley Park Stadium

Semifinals

October 16, 1973 Toronto Croatia 2–1 Toronto First Portuguese Toronto, Ontario
20:30Branko Trtanj Soccerball shade.svg
Solak Soccerball shade.svg		[ [36] Report]Emilio Hernandez Soccerball shade.svgStadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Attendance: 1500
Referee: Bob Hughes
October 17, 1973 Toronto Hungaria 2–1 Serbian White Eagles Toronto, Ontario
Fahy Soccerball shade.svg, Soccerball shade.svg[ [37] Report] Stojanovic Soccerball shade.svgStadium: Stanley Park Stadium

Finals

October 19, 1973 Toronto Croatia 1–2 Toronto Hungaria Toronto, Ontario
Solak Soccerball shade.svg93'[ [38] Report]Allan Callender Soccerball shade.svg2'
Molnar Soccerball shade.svg7'		Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Attendance: 2313

Cup

The cup tournament was a separate contest from the rest of the season in which all seventeen teams took part. The finals for the cup were to consist of a two-legged match but were scrapped after the first match was abandoned due to fan violence. [39] The league decided to award the cup to Toronto Hungaria as they were leading the match before it was abandoned. [39]

Finals

October 21, 1973 Toronto Croatia 1–3 Toronto Hungaria Toronto, Ontario
Arslanovic Soccerball shade.svg[ [40] Report]Mario Garcia Soccerball shade.svg, Soccerball shade.svg
Polyviou Soccerball shade.svg		Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Attendance: 3341
Referee: Bill Divorski

Canadian Open Cup

The Canadian Open Cup was a tournament organized by the National Soccer League in 1971 where the NSL champion would face the Challenge Trophy winners to determine the best team throughout the country. [5] The 1974 edition served as a qualifier match to determine the Canadian representative to the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. [41] Toronto Croatia was the NSL representative for the third consecutive year while their opponents were the Toronto & District League champions Toronto West Indies United. [42] The Vancouver Firefighters were the 1973 Challenge Trophy winners and originally were invited to participate, but declined which allowed the Challenge Trophy runner-ups Toronto West Indies United to compete for the title. [42]

October 28, 1973 Toronto Croatia 3–1 Toronto West Indies United Toronto, Ontario
Peric Soccerball shade.svg5', Soccerball shade.svg12', Soccerball shade.svg70'[ [43] Report]Clarence Prendes Soccerball shade.svg25'Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Attendance: 1103

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blagoje Tamindžić</span> Yugoslav–Canadian soccer goalkeeper

Blagoje Tamindžić is a retired soccer goalkeeper.

Anders Yrfeldt is a Danish former footballer and football manager.

The 1980 National Soccer League season was the fifty-seventh season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May 1980 and concluded in October 1980 with the NSL Championship final where Toronto Panhellenic defeated St. Catharines Roma. The Toronto Falcons won the regular-season title but were defeated by Toronto Italia for the NSL Cup.

The 1979 National Soccer League season was the fifty-sixth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May 1979 and concluded in September 1979 with Toronto First Portuguese producing a perfect season, which granted them the NSL Championship. First Portuguese would also secure the double by defeating Toronto Panhellenic for the NSL Cup. Toronto's undefeated streak lasted until the 1980 season and amounted to 52 games with Toronto Panhellenic breaking the streak.

The 1978 National Soccer League season was the fifty-fifth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May 1978 and concluded in late September 1978 with the Toronto Falcons defeating Hamilton Italo-Canadians for the NSL Cup. The regular-season title and NSL Championship were successfully defended by the Montreal Castors by finishing first in the First Division. The Second Division title was won by St. Catharines Roma by finishing first in the standings.

The 1977 National Soccer League season was the fifty-fourth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in early October with the Montreal Castors securing the double by finishing first in the First Division. The NSL Cup was claimed by Toronto Panhellenic. The Second Division title was won by Toronto Falcons by finishing first in the standings which allowed promotion to the First Division. The NSL was operative in Northern Ontario, Quebec, and had a franchise in the United States in Upstate New York.

The 1976 National Soccer League season was the fifty-third season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in early October with Toronto Panhellenic securing the double by defeating Toronto First Portuguese in a two-match series for the NSL Championship. In the NSL Cup final, Panhellenic defeated Toronto Italia, while Italia successfully defended the First Division title by finishing first in the standings. In the Second Division, Hamilton Italo-Canadians defeated Toronto Croatia for both the division title and NSL II Championship.

The 1975 Canadian Soccer League season was the fifty-second season for the National Soccer League (NSL) which operated under the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) name for the season. The season began in April and concluded in late October with Toronto Italia securing a double. Italia would also win the Canadian Open Cup by defeating the Challenge Trophy champions London Boxing and Athletic Club of Victoria from British Columbia. The Serbian White Eagles were the NSL Cup winners and the Canadian representative for the 1975 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

The 1974 National Soccer League season was the fifty-first season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in April and concluded in late October with Toronto Croatia defeating Toronto Homer for the NSL Championship. The regular-season title was clinched by the Serbian White Eagles, and as a result, faced the Challenge Trophy champions Calgary Springer Kickers for the Canadian Open Cup and successfully claimed the title. The NSL Cup was won by Toronto Italia after defeating Toronto First Portuguese.

Saban Romanovic is a Serbian former footballer who played as a forward.

The 1972 National Soccer League season was the forty-ninth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in October with the Canadian Open Cup final. Toronto Croatia successfully defended its regular-season title for the third consecutive season with an undefeated regular season streak. Toronto would also defeat the Serbian White Eagles for the NSL Cup. The Croatians would secure a treble by winning the Open Canada Cup against Vancouver Columbus. In the playoffs, Toronto Italia defeated the Serbian White Eagles for the NSL Championship.

The 1971 National Soccer League season was the forty-eighth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in early May and concluded in October with the Canadian Open Cup final where Toronto Croatia defeated Challenge Trophy champions Vancouver Eintracht. The Croatians would secure a treble by successfully defending their regular-season title, and defeating Toronto First Portuguese for the NSL Championship. The NSL Cup was successfully defended by Toronto First Portuguese who defeated Sudbury City.

The 1970 National Soccer League season was the forty-seventh season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in early November with the NSL Championship final. The regular-season title was clinched by Toronto Croatia by finishing first throughout the regular season. In the playoffs, the championship title was won by Hamilton Croatia after defeating Toronto Croatia. The NSL Cup was secured by Toronto First Portuguese after defeating Toronto Hellas.

St. Catharines Heidelberg was a Canadian soccer club based in St. Catharines, Ontario. The club was founded in 1960 and originally competed in the International Soccer League. In 1971, the club joined the professional ranks in the National Soccer League (NSL) and played for eight seasons from 1971 until the 1978 season. In 1979, Heidelberg departed from the NSL which left St. Catharines Roma as the sole representative for the city of St. Catharines in the National Soccer League.

Welland Lions Croatia was a soccer club based in Welland, Ontario. The club was founded in 1970 and originally played in Hamilton, Ontario as Hamilton Apollos. It was later renamed Hamilton City in 1973 and ultimately relocated to Welland in 1976. The club played in the National Soccer League (NSL) for seven seasons from 1970 until 1976. In 1977, St. Catharines Roma replaced Welland in the NSL by acquiring their franchise rights.

The 1969 National Soccer League season was the forty-sixth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began on May 4, 1969, with Toronto Italia facing Toronto Hellas at Stanley Park Stadium where the match drew 6000 supporters. The match signaled an increase in attendance as the previous time the NSL drew a similar amount was three seasons ago. The championship was contested throughout the regular season as the league canceled the playoff format. Toronto First Portuguese would claim the NSL Championship by finishing first in the standings in October. The NSL Cup was won by Toronto Italia after defeating Toronto Hungaria.

Mike Campo is a Spanish former footballer who played as a defender and as a football manager.

The 1966 National Soccer Leagueseason was the forty-third season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late May and concluded in late October with Windsor Teutonia claiming their first NSL Championship against Toronto Croatia. The regular-season title was secured by Sudbury Italia by finishing first throughout the regular season.

The 1965 National Soccer Leagueseason was the forty-second season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in early May and concluded in late October with Toronto Hakoah claiming their first NSL Championship by defeating reigning champions Toronto Ukrainia. Ukrainia successfully defended their regular-season title by finishing first in the standings.

The 1964 National Soccer Leagueseason was the forty-first season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in early May and concluded in October with Toronto Ukrainia successfully defending their NSL Championship by defeating Toronto Abruzzi. Ukrainia also won the league double by finishing first in the standings.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "National Soccer League 1926 to 1992" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-06-28. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  2. ↑ Jose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 117.
  3. ↑ "CSL Past Champions" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Croatia wins NSL pennant". Toronto Star . October 4, 1973. p. C3.
  5. 1 2 Jose, Colin (1998). Canadian Encyclopedia of Soccer - Keeping Score. Vaughan, Ontario: Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 121. ISBN   0-9683800-0-X.
  6. ↑ "Croatia to play 2-game series against Americana of Mexico". The Globe and Mail . September 11, 1973. p. 37.
  7. 1 2 Kernaghan, Jim (May 25, 1973). "This soccer club's success merely widens its horizons". Toronto Star . p. 18.
  8. 1 2 3 Waring, Ed (December 10, 1973). "Eight of NSL's ten teams will call CNE Stadium home". The Globe and Mail . p. S2.
  9. 1 2 3 Waring, Ed (July 4, 1973). "Soccer crowds grow, NSL secretary feels 250,000 draw possible". The Globe and Mail . p. 33.
  10. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (February 6, 1973). "Indoor soccer loop players defy threats of suspension". Toronto Star . p. 37.
  11. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (January 5, 1973). "Five teams in indoor soccer". Toronto Star . p. 15.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Indoor loop ignores NSL player ban". The Globe and Mail . February 5, 1973. p. S5.
  13. ↑ Waring, Ed (February 6, 1973). "Players defy ban, play indoor soccer". The Globe and Mail . p. 32.
  14. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (May 15, 1973). "Metros hope to improve materially by taking on such teams as Lazio". Toronto Star . p. 21.
  15. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (October 26, 1973). "Crackdown on soccer violence". Toronto Star . p. C4.
  16. 1 2 Gatecliff, Jack (20 October 1973). "Through the Sports Gate". St. Catharines Standard . p. 23.
  17. ↑ "Club Roma Takes on Nationals". St. Catharines Standard . 28 August 1973. p. 24.
  18. 1 2 "Fans unruly, NSL referee halts match". The Globe and Mail . June 8, 1973. p. 39.
  19. ↑ Gatecliff, Jack (10 September 1973). "Slump Continues - Heidelberg Held to Draw". St. Catharines Standard . p. 21.
  20. ↑ Onorato, Andre (May 12, 1973). "Cantalia returns to local soccer". Montreal Gazette . p. 14.
  21. ↑ Onorato, Andre (July 7, 1973). "Cantalia sets sight on two weekend wins". Montreal Gazette . p. 10.
  22. ↑ Brown, Dave (May 3, 1973). "Out of the Dark". Ottawa Journal . p. 50.
  23. ↑ De Marinis, Mariano (June 9, 1973). "Ottawa Tigers' franchise quite alive and kicking". Ottawa Journal . p. 18.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Nickleson, Al (May 11, 1973). "College Bowl moves to CNE as mod sod gets more use - 17 NSL Games". Toronto Star . p. 18.
  25. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (April 19, 1973). "9 Yugoslavian imports boost soccer club's bid". Toronto Star . p. 20.
  26. ↑ "Nationals Open Season Sunday". St. Catharines Standard . 10 May 1973. p. 32.
  27. ↑ Clifford, Dale (July 30, 1973). "Tigers bow on disputed penalty". Ottawa Citizen . p. 15.
  28. ↑ "6 Metros will face Italian Army team". The Globe and Mail . July 18, 1973. p. 45.
  29. ↑ Onorato, Andre (May 9, 1973). "Reborn Cantalia team will play in interprovincial soccer loop". Montreal Gazette . p. 44.
  30. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (May 10, 1973). "Italia prepared for top role". Toronto Star . p. 17.
  31. ↑ Gatecliff, Jack (17 February 1973). "Through the Sports Gate". St. Catharines Standard . p. 25.
  32. ↑ Gatecliff, Jack (25 August 1973). "Through the Sports Gate". St. Catharines Standard . p. 31.
  33. 1 2 Waring, Ed (October 15, 1973). "Serbian White Eagles win 2-1 on disputed penalty-kick goal". The Globe and Mail . p. S5.
  34. ↑ "Soccer scores". Toronto Star . October 15, 1973. p. B5.
  35. ↑ "Hungaria wins playoff spot in NSL action". Toronto Star . October 16, 1973. p. D6.
  36. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (October 17, 1973). "Croatia wins rough NSL semi". Toronto Star . p. C4.
  37. ↑ "Hungaria win sparked by Fahy". The Globe and Mail . October 18, 1973. p. 48.
  38. ↑ Waring, Ed (October 20, 1973). "Hungaria wins over Croatia in NSL final". The Globe and Mail . p. 41.
  39. 1 2 Kernaghan, Jim (October 26, 1973). "Crackdown on soccer violence". Toronto Star . p. C4.
  40. ↑ "Violence puts premature end to NSL final at Stanley Park". The Globe and Mail . October 22, 1973. p. S5.
  41. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (July 12, 1975). "Eagles want to win but it is costly". Toronto Star . p. D5.
  42. 1 2 Koep, Bob (October 29, 1973). "Croatia strikes early to win". Toronto Star . p. B6.
  43. ↑ Waring, Ed (October 29, 1973). "'Rain ends West Indies' breakaway threat: Croatia takes third Canadian crown in a row". The Globe and Mail . p. B7.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.