1985 National Soccer League (Canada) season

Last updated
National Soccer League
Season1985
Champions
League cup Dinamo Latino
← 1984
1986 →

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. [1] London Marconi secured the regular-season title by finishing first in the standings, and Dinamo Latino won the NSL Cup. [2] [3] [1]

Contents

After the conclusion of the 1984 season, the North American Soccer League (NASL) ceased operations with former NASL member Toronto Blizzard joining the National Soccer League as the league remained one of the few professional soccer leagues operating throughout the country. [4]

Overview

The demise of the American-based North American Soccer League (NASL) in late 1984 brought about a significant change to the Canadian soccer landscape as the NASL contained several Canadian teams throughout its existence. [5] Once the NASL ceased operations Canada was without a national major soccer league as its previous attempt at organizing a domestic national league in 1983 failed after a single season. [6] [7] In relation to the void of a national top-tier league, the Ontario-based National Soccer League (NSL) announced its intentions of expanding nationally and received corporate sponsorship from Molson Brewery. [8] [9] [10] The NSL was aided by the addition of the former NASL club Toronto Blizzard as the club's owners purchased the NSL franchise rights of Dinamo Latino in June 1985. [11] [12] According to league bylaws, the Blizzards operated under the name Toronto Dinamo as the name change required the approval of the league's board of directors. [12] [11] The NSL managed to expand into Quebec through an affiliated league known as the Quebec National Soccer League (LNSQ), which officially debuted the following season. [13] [14]

Simultaneously the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) also began making preliminary plans for a potential domestic national soccer league to address the void. [15] Though the NSL ownership was attempting national expansion several of their noted clubs (Toronto Croatia, Toronto Dinamo, Toronto Italia, and Toronto Panhellenic) submitted applications to the CSA supported league. [16] The plan was officially sanctioned by the CSA with the league expected to debut for the 1987 season, but unfortunately, the majority of the NSL clubs were rejected as the CSA adopted a policy to Canadianize the league with no ethnic affiliated clubs. [17] [18] Only Toronto Dinamo under its previous name as the Toronto Blizzard was granted a franchise. [18] The membership in the NSL increased to eight teams with Windsor AC Roma being granted an NSL franchise, which marked the return of professional soccer to Windsor, Ontario since the 1978 season when the Windsor Stars competed in the league. [19]

Teams

TeamCityStadiumManager
London Marconi London, Ontario Cove Road Stadium Charlie Spence [20]
St. Catharines Roma St. Catharines, Ontario Club Roma Stadium Jimmy Douglas [21]
Toronto Croatia Etobicoke, Ontario Centennial Park Stadium [4] Branko Mileunic [22]
Toronto Dinamo Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [4] Dave Turner [23]
Toronto First Portuguese Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [4]
Toronto Italia Etobicoke, Ontario Centennial Park Stadium [4]
Toronto Panhellenic Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium [4] Mike Ristich [24]
Windsor AC Roma Windsor, Ontario Windsor Stadium [25] Gus Moffat [26]

Coaching changes

TeamOutgoing coachManner of
departure		Date of
vacancy		Position in tableIncoming coachDate of
appointment
Windsor AC Roma Ilario Bontorin [27] resignedApril 24, 1985preseason Flag of Scotland.svg Gus Moffat [28] April 30, 1985
Toronto Dinamo Louis Caruso [29] replacedJuly 19853rd in July Flag of England.svg Dave Turner July, 1985


Playoffs

Finals

October 12, 1985 Windsor AC Roma 1–1 Toronto Italia Windsor, Ontario
17:00Ian Parratt Soccerball shade.svg Report Herberth Gallo Soccerball shade.svgStadium: Windsor Stadium

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Blizzard (1971–1984)</span> NASL soccer team

The Toronto Blizzard were a professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that played in the North American Soccer League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Blizzard (1986–1993)</span> Football club

The second iteration of the Toronto Blizzard was a Canadian professional soccer team in Toronto, Ontario that competed in the Canadian Soccer League, National Soccer League, and the American Professional Soccer League. The club was formed shortly after the folding of the original team that coincided with the folding of the North American Soccer League. This edition of the club folded in 1993 after poor financial prospects and lack of attendance.

Carlos Humberto Rivas Torres is a Chilean retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Carmine Marcantonio is a Canadian retired soccer player who earned two caps for the national team between 1976 and 1980.

Bruno Pilaš was a Yugoslavian professional footballer who played as a striker in the NASL between 1973 and 1977 for the Toronto Metros-Croatia.

Thomas Angus Moffat was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a right winger. Active in England, Scotland, the United States and Canada between 1964 and 1983, Moffat made nearly 200 career league appearances.

The 1991 National Soccer League season was the sixty-eighth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season concluded on September 22, 1991, with Toronto Italia securing the NSL Championship by finishing first in the standings by a single-point difference between Scarborough International and St. Catharines Roma.

Jorge Piotti or Georgio Piotti is an Argentine football manager and former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Dale Baxter is an English-born Canadian soccer player who played as a goalkeeper.

Pedro Kozak was an Argentine former footballer and football manager who played in the Argentine Primera División and the National Soccer League.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Marconi</span> Canadian association football team

London Marconi Soccer Club is a Canadian soccer club based in London, Ontario, that plays in the Western Ontario Soccer League. The club was founded in 1962 and originally competed in the London and District League. After several notable achievements at the amateur level, the organization joined the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1984. After competing in the NSL for five seasons they returned to the amateur level by joining the Western Ontario Soccer League.

The 1984 National Soccer League season was the sixty-first season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late May, 1984 and concluded in September 1984 with the NSL Championship final where Toronto Italia defeated London Marconi. Toronto Italia would also secure a treble by winning the regular-season title, and 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 1982 National Soccer League season was the fifty-ninth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May, 1982 and concluded in late October 1982 with the NSL Championship final where Hamilton Steelers successfully defended their title against Toronto Italia in a two-legged series final. Toronto Italia would still achieve a double by producing an undefeated streak to claim the regular-season title and the NSL Cup by defeating St. Catharines Roma.

Nacional Latino was a soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario. The club played in the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1982 originally under the name Dinamo Latino. In 1985, the ownership of the Toronto Blizzard purchased Dinamo's franchise rights, and competed in the NSL until the 1986 season. In 1987, the Blizzard joined the Canadian Soccer League, and the previous ownership retained control of the club under the name Nacional Latino. The club's final season at the professional level lasted until the 1987 season.

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 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 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.
  2. ↑ "CSL Past Champions – Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  3. ↑ "1985 NSL Season" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ormsby, Mary (April 30, 1985). "Local league plans to revive pro soccer within 5 years". Toronto Star . p. F7.
  5. ↑ "SOCCER; Pro loop attracts eight so far". Ottawa Citizen . October 2, 1985. p. F6.
  6. ↑ Ormsby, Mary (September 16, 1985). "Soccer players triumphant but many now unemployed". Toronto Star . p. B3.
  7. ↑ Davidson, James (September 21, 1985). "Caution expressed by soccer group". The Globe and Mail . p. S3.
  8. ↑ Dellarocca, Stan (April 30, 1985). "NSL makes ambitious plans for national expansion in 1986". The Globe and Mail . p. S2.
  9. ↑ Ormsby, Mary (April 30, 1985). "Local league plans to revive pro soccer within 5 years". Toronto Star . p. F7.
  10. ↑ "Grandes Planes De La NSL Para Este Ano". El popular. May 1, 1985. p. 11.
  11. 1 2 Davidson, James (December 13, 1985). "Blizzard reborn as team in NSL". The Globe and Mail . p. D17.
  12. 1 2 Dellarocca, Stan (June 13, 1985). "Varsity gets soccer team, after all". The Globe and Mail . p. M10.
  13. ↑ Meagher, John (October 2, 1985). "Quebec-Ontario soccer league eyed". Newspapers.com. Montreal Gazette. p. 19. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  14. ↑ "NSL adds farm system, creates Quebec league". Newspapers.com. Windsor Star. December 16, 1985. p. 31. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  15. ↑ Davidson, James (September 18, 1985). "Soccer league takes formative step". The Globe and Mail . p. S2.
  16. ↑ Davidson, James (September 19, 1985). "Toronto stuffs CSA entry box for proposed soccer league". The Globe and Mail . p. S3.
  17. ↑ Davidson, James (September 24, 1985). "Soccer league questioned". The Globe and Mail . p. S2.
  18. 1 2 Davidson, James (November 19, 1985). "New loop to present pro soccer in May '87". The Globe and Mail . p. C3.
  19. ↑ Hall, Dave (January 21, 1985). "Roma entry returning Windsor to NSL". Newspapers.com. Windsor Star. p. 27. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  20. ↑ Waddell, Dave (October 4, 1985). "Back four lead Roma past London". Newspapers.com. Windsor Star. p. 33. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  21. ↑ Waddell, Dave (September 28, 1985). "Tough at home, Roma on to next round". Windsor Star . p. 15.
  22. ↑ Waddell, Dave (July 29, 1985). "Tactics change frees Perciballi for Roma victory". Windsor Star . p. 21.
  23. ↑ Koep, Bob (August 27, 1985). "Soccer win gives Dinamo big lift". Toronto Star. p. F3.
  24. ↑ Waddell, Dave (July 22, 1985). "Roma earns tie on opponents mistake". Windsor Star . p. 27.
  25. ↑ "What They Did". Newspapers.com. Windsor Star. February 6, 1985. p. 23. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  26. ↑ "Moffat to coach AC Roma". Newspapers.com. Windsor Star. April 30, 1985. p. 23. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  27. ↑ Nelson, Jim (April 24, 1985). "Roma's commitment causes coach to quit". Newspapers.com. Windsor Star. p. 21. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  28. ↑ "Moffat to coach AC Roma". Newspapers.com. Windsor Star. April 30, 1985. p. 23. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  29. ↑ Caton, Mary (July 15, 1985). "Agostini brilliant in Roma's victory over Dinamo". Newspapers.com. Windsor Star. p. 23. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
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.