1980 National Soccer League (Canada) season

Last updated
National Soccer League
Season1980
Champions
League cup Toronto Italia
Top goalscorerMike Burke (24) [1]
Best goalkeeperRobert Judd
← 1979
1981 →

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. [2] The Toronto Falcons won the regular-season title but were defeated by Toronto Italia for the NSL Cup. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

The NSL was operative in the United States and Northern Ontario for the final time in the league's history. [6] [7]

Overview

The decade ushered in a unique era in Canadian soccer as many attempts and proposals at forming a national major soccer league were executed throughout the 1980s. The first notable example occurred in 1980 when several investors presented a nationwide soccer league known as the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) to debut in 1981. [8] Before the commencement of any season the project initially debuted in a tournament known as the Red Leaf Cup, which featured teams from Europe and Brazil. [9] [10] [11] The planned Canadian Soccer League failed to materialize and the next attempt at creating a domestic national league successfully occurred in 1983. [12] [13]

Meanwhile, the Ontario-centered National Soccer League (NSL) continued having a presence in Northern Ontario with Sudbury Cyclones representing the city of Sudbury, and an American representative from Upstate New York known as the Buffalo Blazers. [14] [15] The membership in the league decreased to twelve clubs as the NSL lost its presence in Quebec, and Detroit, Michigan as the Montreal Stars, Detroit Besa, and Detroit Vardar departed. While the Hamilton Italo-Canadians requested a sabbatical and returned for the 1981 season. [16] Buffalo was denied participation in the playoffs because of financial and player issues. [17]

A friendly tournament known as the Toronto International Soccer Cup was organized with Toronto First Portuguese and Toronto Panhellenic representing the NSL against S.L. Benfica, and Partizan Belgrade. [18] Benfica would win the tournament after defeating Partizan in the final. [19]

Teams

TeamCityStadiumManager
Buffalo Blazers Buffalo, New York Lackwanna Stadium [20] Carlo Del Monte [16]
Bradford Marshlanders Bradford, Ontario
London City London, Ontario Cove Road Stadium
Serbian White Eagles Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [21] Nikola Ivetić [22]
Sudbury Cyclones Sudbury, Ontario Queen's Athletic Field [23] Gino Pacitto [24]
St. Catharines Roma St. Catharines, Ontario Club Roma Stadium
Toronto Croatia Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [23]
Toronto Falcons Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [25]
Toronto First Portuguese Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [26] José Testas [27]
Toronto Italia Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [28] Fiorigi Pagliuso [29]
Toronto Panhellenic Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [30] Arthur Rodrigues [31]
Toronto Ukrainians Etobicoke, Ontario Centennial Park Stadium [30]

Final standings

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Toronto Falcons (C)2218314514+3139Qualification for Playoffs
2Toronto First Portuguese2216517115+5637
3 Toronto Italia 2214626316+4734
4Toronto Panhellenic (O)2211923814+2431
5 London City 2211384925+2425
6 St. Catharines Roma 2284102926+320
7Bradford Marshlanders2275103158−2719
8 Buffalo Blazers 2282123349−1618Ineligible for Playoffs [note 1]
9 Toronto Ukrainians 2253142256−3413Qualification for Playoffs
10 Sudbury Cyclones 2236132740−1312
11 Toronto Croatia 2243152155−3411
12 Serbian White Eagles 2213181475−615
Updated to match(es) played on September 30, 1980. Source: [1]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners
  1. ↑ Buffalo Blazers failed to meet the necessary requirements to compete in the playoffs

Playoffs

Finals

October 6, 1980 Toronto Panhellenic 1–0 St. Catharines Roma Toronto, Ontario
John Stravropoulos Soccerball shade.svg[ [2] Report]Stadium: Lamport Stadium

Cup

The cup tournament was a separate contest from the rest of the season, in which all twelve teams took part. All the matches were separate from the regular season, and the teams were grouped into two separate divisions. The two winners in the group stage would advance in a two-legged match final for the Cup.

Finals

September 7, 1980 Toronto Falcons 0–2 Toronto Italia Toronto, Ontario
[ [32] Report]Mike Burke Soccerball shade.svg37', Soccerball shade.svg60'Stadium: Lamport Stadium

Related Research Articles

The Toronto Jets was a S.S. Pauline Soccer Club team that played in the Minor Division (MD) of the Canadian National Soccer League, formerly the National Soccer League (N.S.L.) between 1977–1979, and perhaps as early as 1976. The 1976 and 1979 teams were the boys under 19 Ontario Cup Champions, and the 1978 team was the N.S.L. - MD Jr. Playoff Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Falcons (1975–1982)</span> Football club

Toronto Falcons Soccer Club was a Canadian soccer club founded in 1975 that operated in the National Soccer League (NSL). The team initially operated in Oakville, Ontario under the name Oakville United, then moved to Toronto as the Toronto Falcons. The club's fledgling years were spent in the Second Division of the NSL, and ultimately secured promotion in 1977. Toronto achieved success in the First Division by winning the NSL Cup in 1978, and the regular-season championship in 1980. The Falcons competed in the NSL for eight seasons from 1975 till 1982.

The 1989 National Soccer League season was the sixty-sixth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season concluded on September 18, 1989, with Toronto Italia defending their seventh consecutive NSL Championship by finishing first in the First Division. Toronto Italia also claimed the NSL Canadian Championship by defeating Montreal Ramblers of the Quebec National Soccer League (LNSQ) on September 20, 1989, at the Claude Robilliard Stadium in Montreal, Quebec. The NSL Cup was also successfully defended by Toronto Croatia. Croatia would also defeat LNSQ Cup champions St. Leonard to win the Canada Cup.

The 1988 National Soccer League season was the sixty-fifth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began on May 10, 1988, and concluded on September 14, 1988, with Toronto Italia winning the NSL Championship by finishing first in the First Division. Toronto would also secure a double by defeating Montreal Superga of the Quebec National Soccer League (LNSQ) for the NSL Canadian Championship. The NSL Ontario Cup was won by Toronto Croatia on September 17, 1988. Croatia would face St. Leonard-Corfinium of the LNSQ for the NSL Canada Cup but was defeated by a score of 3-1. St. Catharines Roma II was the reserve division champions.

The 1987 National Soccer League season was the sixty-fourth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in early May 1987 and concluded in early October 1987 with the NSL Championship final where Toronto Italia defeated London Marconi. Toronto would secure a league treble by winning the NSL Ontario Cup against Windsor Wheels and claiming the NSL Canada Cup from St. Léonard-Corfinium of the Quebec National Soccer League (LNSQ). On the other hand, Windsor became the regular season champions by finishing first in the standings. As a result, Windsor would travel to Montreal, Quebec to face the LNSQ league champions Sherbrooke Univestrie, and would win the NSL Canadian Championship.

The 1986 National Soccer League season was the sixty-third season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late May 1986 and concluded in early October 1986 with the NSL Championship final where Toronto Italia defeated Toronto Blizzard. Though the Blizzard would still manage to secure a treble after finishing first in the standings to claim the regular-season title, and defeating London Marconi for the NSL Ontario Cup. Toronto would earn the treble by defeating Vancouver Columbus Italia for the NSL Canadian Championship. The fourth piece of silverware was claimed by the Blizzard after defeating Luso Stars of the Quebec National Soccer League (LNSQ) for the NSL Canada Cup.

The 1985 National Soccer League season was the sixty-second season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began on May 12, 1985, and concluded in early October 1985 with the NSL Championship final where Toronto Italia successfully defended their title against Windsor AC Roma. London Marconi secured the regular-season title by finishing first in the standings, and Dinamo Latino won the NSL Cup.

The 1983 National Soccer League season was the sixth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May, 1983 and concluded in early October 1983 with the NSL Championship final where Toronto Italia secured the title against Dinamo Latino in a penalty shootout. Toronto would also secure the double by defeating Toronto Panhellenic for the NSL Cup. Toronto Panhellenic achieved a milestone in league history as it won its first regular-season title.

The 1981 National Soccer League season was the fifty-eighth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May, 1981 and concluded in October 1981 with the NSL Championship final where Hamilton Steelers defeated Toronto Italia in a two-legged series final. Hamilton would achieve a treble by also securing the regular-season title, and defeating Toronto Ukrainians for the NSL Cup.

Sudbury Cyclones was a soccer club based in Sudbury, Ontario. The club was formed in 1976 and originally competed in the Second Division of the National Soccer League (NSL). Sudbury played in the National Soccer League for five seasons from 1976 until the 1980 season. The club became the last representative from Northern Ontario to compete in the National Soccer League.

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 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.

The 1968 National Soccer League season was the forty-fifth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late May and concluded in early October with Sudbury Italia securing the double. Sudbury finished first in the standings with 29 points with a single-point difference between Toronto Hellas. Italia would face Toronto Hellas once more in the NSL Championship final. The league would serve as a secondary league in the Canadian soccer landscape as the American-based North American Soccer League expanded into British Columbia and Ontario.

The 1967 National Soccer League season was the forty-fourth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in early May and concluded in early November with Windsor Teutonia successfully defending the O’Keefe Trophy against Hamilton Primos. The regular-season title was clinched by Hamilton Primos by finishing first throughout the regular season.

References

  1. 1 2 "1980 NSL Season" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-06-28.
  2. 1 2 "Panhellenic takes soccer cup". The Globe and Mail . October 6, 1980. p. S8.
  3. ↑ "CSL Past Champions – Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ "Mike Burke sparks Italia". Toronto Star . September 8, 1980. p. B6.
  6. ↑ Pascal, Randy (June 20, 2020). "The Sudbury Cyclones and their semi-pro soccer stint". Sudbury Star . p. B1.
  7. ↑ Pascal, Randy (March 29, 2021). "Semi-pro push highlights strategic plan for Sudbury soccer community". thesudburystar. Sudbury Star. Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  8. ↑ "Soccer promoters unveil grandiose plans". Newspapers.com. The Province. May 29, 1980. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  9. ↑ Wayne, Jamie (June 7, 1980). "The goal for Canada: Second soccer league". Newspapers.com. National Post. p. 20. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  10. ↑ Mayoh, Rick (June 11, 1980). "Top soccer teams set for Canadian series". Ottawa Citizen . p. 35.
  11. ↑ Habib, Marlene (June 16, 1980). "Varsity becomes 'battlefield' muring Red Leaf Cup soccer". The Globe and Mail . p. S5.
  12. ↑ "Another soccer league". Nanaimo Daily News . December 3, 1981. p. 10.
  13. ↑ Konotopetz, Gyle (December 24, 1981). "Proposed league has Rudi laughing". Calgary Herald . p. 30.
  14. ↑ "Sports activities for everyone". National Post . October 11, 1980. p. 75.
  15. ↑ "In trouble". Nanaimo Daily News . March 25, 1980. p. 11.
  16. 1 2 "1981 Hamilton Steelers - Team of Distinction". Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Playoff chances good after Cyclones win". Sudbury Star . September 8, 1980. p. 13.
  18. ↑ Kernaghan, Jim (June 24, 1980). "Lisbon soccer star shuns America". Toronto Star . p. F4.
  19. ↑ Koep, Bob (August 5, 1980). "Soccer fans get kick from Benfica". Toronto Star . p. B2.
  20. ↑ "Blazers Shut Out Sudbury". Buffalo Courier-Express . May 11, 1980. p. 44.
  21. ↑ Falldien, Jack (August 18, 1980). "Cyclones blank Buffalo squad". Sudbury Star . p. 9.
  22. ↑ Serbian White Eagles FC. "Head Coaches". Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  23. 1 2 "Sudbury Cyclones lose as Albuquerque scores". Sudbury Star . May 12, 1980. p. 13.
  24. ↑ Desilets, Peter (April 25, 1980). "Cyclones will operate this season". Sudbury Star . p. 10.
  25. ↑ Falldein, Jack (May 26, 1980). "Cyclones lose, draw on weekend". Sudbury Star . p. 13.
  26. ↑ "Cyclones off to Toronto". Sudbury Star . June 13, 1980. p. 13.
  27. ↑ MOURATO, SERGIO (February 18, 2017). "Após cumprir missão da vida, 'Baixinho' quer morrer em paz sem dores – 416 NEWS TORONTO". 416news.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-09.
  28. ↑ "Cyclones hurt, play tonight". Sudbury Star . August 9, 1980. p. 13.
  29. ↑ "2018 Wall of Fame Induction". torontoazzurri.com. p. 17. Archived from the original on 2022-01-02. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  30. 1 2 "Loss and tie for Cyclones". Sudbury Star . July 28, 1980. p. 11.
  31. ↑ "Abascal a la National Soccer League". El Popular. April 30, 1980. p. 10.
  32. 1 2 Campbell, Neil A. (September 8, 1980). "Commercials anger fans during Italia's 2-0 victory". The Globe and Mail . p. S6.
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.