Season | 1997 |
---|---|
Champions |
|
League cup | Toronto Supra |
Matches played | 24 |
Goals scored | 49 (2.04 per match) |
Biggest home win | Toronto Supra 6-0 London City (July 13) |
Biggest away win | London City 0-8 Toronto Supra (June 20) |
Highest scoring | London City 0-8 Toronto Supra (June 20) |
← 1996 |
The 1997 Canadian National Soccer League season was the seventy-fifth season for the Canadian National Soccer League. The season began on June 4, 1997, and concluded on October 8, 1997, with St. Catharines Roma Wolves defeating Toronto Supra in a two-game series for the CNSL Championship. [1] [2] While the league cup was awarded to Toronto Supra due to several irregularities on behave of Kosova Albanians.
The season was noteworthy with the return of Toronto Croatia, and Hamilton White Eagles after the Canadian International Soccer League (Puma League) decided to merge with the CNSL. A notable departure was Toronto Italia a well-distinguished club that had another opportunity in 1998 to return to the professional scene but failed to settle disputes regarding territory and league policy. [3] [4] The league operated as a private league for the final time, and under the banner of the CNSL as it reconciled its relationship with the Ontario Soccer Association in 1998. [5] The following season it would operate as the Canadian Professional Soccer League sanctioned by the Ontario Soccer Association to implement the Image of the Game report to provide a suitable professional soccer structure in Ontario and potentially throughout the country. [6] [7]
The number of clubs participating in the 1997 season remained at seven with several notable additions and departures. [8] The additions revolved around the merger between the Canadian International Soccer League (Puma League) and the Canadian National Soccer League (CNSL) which enabled the CNSL to replace the departing clubs. The merger marked the return of Toronto Croatia, Hamilton White Eagles, along with the addition of Kosova Albanians as a new entry. [9] [10] The Caribbean Stars opted against joining the CNSL as it lacked the financial resources to compete in the league. [11] The departing clubs were Oakville Canadian Western while Scarborough Astros merged with North York Talons and played their home matches in North York, and Scarborough.
A notable absentee was Toronto Italia an entity with a historical significance in Canadian soccer. [10] The departure stemmed from a variety of issues originally with the Ontario Soccer Association's decision to decertify the CNSL, and a feud involving Toronto Croatia over an alleged debt from the 1995 season. [12] [13] [14] As the USISL A-League expanded to include the Toronto Lynx the CNSL began to automatically serve as an unofficial feeder system with Italia's head coach Peter Pinizzotto, and several CNSL players being recruited to the Lynx's inaugural roster. [10] [15] The league would ultimately receive this official recognition in the 2002 season under its successor league as both parties would form a player exchange program. [16] [17] Throughout the regular season, controversies abounded as a league meeting was convened in the final quarter of the season, which resulted in the suspension of Hamilton, and North York for the remainder of the season. [18] The primary reason for their suspension revolved around the harassment of match officials, and unpaid league fees and fines. [18] The league meeting also produced a revised schedule where the final five matches were canceled, which allowed the remaining clubs a berth in the postseason. [19]
Team | City | Stadium | Manager |
---|---|---|---|
Hamilton White Eagles | Hamilton, Ontario | Brian Timmis Stadium | |
Kosova Albanians | North York, Ontario | Esther Shiner Stadium | Jose Valencia [20] |
London City | London, Ontario | Cove Road Stadium | Steve Roney [21] |
North York Talons | North York, Ontario | Esther Shiner Stadium | Jorge Armua [22] |
St. Catharines Roma Wolves | St. Catharines, Ontario (Vansickle) | Club Roma Stadium | Dino Perri [23] |
Toronto Croatia | Etobicoke, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | Zlatko Haramincic |
Toronto Supra | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | Cesar Garcia [24] |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves (C, O) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 4 | +14 | 21 | Qualification for semifinals |
2 | Toronto Croatia | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 8 | |
3 | Toronto Supra | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 2 | +13 | 7 | |
4 | Kosova Albanians | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 5 | Qualification for first round |
5 | London City | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 27 | −23 | 1 | |
6 | Hamilton White Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 [lower-alpha 1] | Suspended by the league |
7 | North York Talons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 [lower-alpha 2] |
September 14, 1997 | Kosova Albanians | 0–3 | London City | North York, Ontario |
18:00 ET | (Report) |
| Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Attendance: 30 Referee: Mike Long |
September 19, 1997 | London City | 1–2 | Kosova Albanians | London, Ontario |
20:00 ET | (Report) | Stadium: Cove Road Stadium |
Series tied 1–1. Kosova wins two 15 minute half mini game 1–0 to win tiebreaker.
September 12, 1997 | Toronto Supra | 4–0 | Toronto Croatia | Toronto, Ontario |
20:00 ET | (Report) | Stadium: Lamport Stadium Attendance: 80 Referee: Graham Williams |
September 17, 1997 | Toronto Croatia | 1–4 | Toronto Supra | Etobicoke, Ontario |
20:00 ET | 5' (o.g.) | (Report) | Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium Attendance: 50 Referee: Yakov Keimakh |
Toronto Supra wins series 2 games to 0.
September 24, 1997 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | 2–1 | Kosova Albanians | St. Catharines, Ontario |
20:00 ET | (Report) | Stadium: Club Roma Stadium |
September 29, 1997 | Kosova Albanians | 3–3 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | North York, Ontario |
20:00 ET |
| (Report) |
| Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Attendance: 30 Referee: Yakov Keimakh |
St. Catharines Roma Wolves wins series 1 game to 0 (with draw).
Toronto Supra | 0–0 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
|
Assistant referees: |
|
|
Assistant referees: |
St. Catharines won 4–3 on aggregate.
The cup tournament was a separate contest from the rest of the season, in which all seven teams took part. All the matches were separate from the regular season. Teams played each other once home and away in the Cup competition, and the first-place team would win the Cup competition.
Originally Kosova won the tournament after finishing first in the standings as a result of a greater goal differential. [31] Shortly after league executives ordered a single finals match to determine the champion. The decision was influenced after Kosova's president was required to provide a performance cheque for a player who was involved in an altercation with a referee in an earlier match. [32] League executive Michael Di Biase reported that the club officials failed in properly address the request. [33] Though Toronto Croatia finished with similar results they were disqualified after using an ineligible player. As Hamilton, and North York was suspended from league play the suspension also included their participation in the cup tournament.
In the postseason semifinal match against St. Catharines Roma Wolves, the game was delayed when Kosova's president declared his club as cup champions after presenting a trophy to Kosova. [34] Consequently, the league officials canceled the final match and automatically declared Toronto Supra as league cup champions. In response to the decision, Kosova protested the league's actions and subsequently withdrew from the CNSL.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kosova Albanians | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 11 | +10 | 14 | Qualification for Playoffs |
2 | Toronto Supra (C) | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 14 | +7 | 14 | |
3 | Toronto Croatia | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 12 | +2 | 14 | |
4 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 10 | |
5 | London City | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 28 | −19 | 4 |
June 13, 1997 | London City | 0–4 | North York Talons | London, Ontario |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Cove Road Stadium |
June 18, 1997 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | 2–1 | North York Talons | St. Catharines, Ontario |
20:15 | Report | Stadium: Club Roma Stadium |
June 29, 1997 | Toronto Supra | 8–1 | London City | Toronto, Ontario |
19:30 | Report | Gebczynski 40' | Stadium: Lamport Stadium Attendance: 150 Referee: Gene Bainbridge |
July 2, 1997 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | 2–0 | London City | St. Catharines, Ontario |
20:15 | Report | Stadium: Club Roma Stadium |
July 4, 1997 | Toronto Supra | 4–2 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | Toronto, Ontario |
20:30 | Stadium: Lamport Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Angus Black |
July 9, 1997 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | 3–0 | Hamilton White Eagles | St. Catharines, Ontario |
20:15 | Report | Stadium: Club Roma Stadium |
July 9, 1997 | Toronto Croatia | 2–0 | North York Talons | Etobicoke, Ontario |
20:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Hugh Elliott |
July 11, 1997 | London City | 2–1 | Toronto Croatia | London, Ontario |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Cove Road Stadium |
July 12, 1997 | Kosova Albanians | 0–1 | North York Talons | North York, Ontario |
20:00 | Report | Gary DeLeon 46' | Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Referee: Teddy Tanashi |
July 16, 1997 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | 0–1 | Toronto Croatia | St. Catharines, Ontario |
20:15 | Report | Stadium: Club Roma Stadium |
July 18, 1997 | Toronto Supra | 3–0 | North York Talons | Toronto, Ontario |
20:30 |
| Report | Stadium: Lamport Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Hugh Grant |
July 20, 1997 | North York Talons | 1–1 | Toronto Croatia | North York, Ontario |
16:00 | Gary DeLeon 54' | Report | Ante Musa 20' | Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Attendance: 60 Referee: Peter Eleftehoglou |
July 20, 1997 | Hamilton White Eagles | 1–1 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | Hamilton, Ontario |
19:30 | Report | Stadium: Brian Timmis Stadium |
July 23, 1997 | North York Talons | 0–3 | Kosova Albanians | Scarborough, Ontario |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Birchmount Stadium |
July 25, 1997 | London City | 2–2 | Toronto Supra | London, Ontario |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Cove Road Stadium |
July 26, 1997 | Kosova Albanians | 1–1 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | North York, Ontario |
20:00 | Gentian Cara 63' | Report | Gary McCuchan 42' | Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Attendance: 80 Referee: Yakov Keimakh |
July 27, 1997 | North York Talons | 0–2 | London City | North York, Ontario |
16:00 | Report | Dominique 9', 41' | Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Attendance: 30 Referee: Yakov Keimakh |
July 27, 1997 | Hamilton White Eagles | 0–1 | Toronto Supra | Hamilton, Ontario |
19:30 | Report | Stadium: Brian Timmis Stadium |
July 30, 1997 | Toronto Croatia | 3–1 | Toronto Supra | Etobicoke, Ontario |
20:00 |
| Report | Mella 87' | Stadium: Brian Timmis Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Graham Williams |
July 30, 1997 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | 1–2 | Kosova Albanians | St. Catharines, Ontario |
20:15 | Report | Stadium: Club Roma Stadium |
August 2, 1997 | Kosova Albanians | 2–4 | Toronto Supra | North York, Ontario |
20:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Attendance: 80 Referee: Yakov Keimakh |
August 6, 1997 | Toronto Croatia | 1–3 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | Etobicoke, Ontario |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium |
August 8, 1997 | London City | 2–3 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | London, Ontario |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Cove Road Stadium |
August 9, 1997 | Kosova Albanians | 4–4 | Toronto Croatia | North York, Ontario |
20:00 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Referee: Yakov Keimakh |
August 13, 1997 | Toronto Croatia | 1–0 | Kosova Albanians | Etobicoke, Ontario |
20:00 | Zoran Marjanovic 34' | Report | Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Yakov Keimakh |
August 15, 1997 | Toronto Supra | 0–0 | Toronto Croatia | Toronto, Ontario |
20:30 | Report | Stadium: Lamport Stadium Attendance: 100 |
August 22, 1997 | Toronto Supra | 0–3 | Kosova Albanians | Toronto, Ontario |
20:30 | Report |
| Stadium: Lamport Stadium Attendance: 100 |
August 27, 1997 | Toronto Croatia | 3–2 | London City | Etobicoke, Ontario |
20:00 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Ken Thomas |
August 27, 1997 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves | 1–2 | Toronto Supra | St. Catharines, Ontario |
20:15 | Report | Stadium: Club Roma Stadium |
August 29, 1997 | London City | 0–2 | Kosova Albanians | London, Ontario |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Cove Road Stadium |
September 7, 1997 | Kosova Albanians | 7–0 | London City | North York, Ontario |
18:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Valentine Karagine |
The Canadian Soccer League championship final or CSL Championship is the post-season match of the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) and is the successor to the CNSL Championship. The winner is crowned champion in the same manner as in other North American sports leagues. This differs from other top soccer leagues around the world which consider the club with the most points at the end of the season to be the sole champion. It is a Non-FIFA championship match that was previously sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) but is now affiliated with the Soccer Federation of Canada (SFC).
C.N.S.C. Toronto Croatia is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, that plays in the Supergroup Open Division in the Canadian Academy of Football. The team's colours are red, white and blue, similar to those of the Croatia national team.
The North York Astros were a Canadian soccer team that was founded in 1990. The team initially played in the National Soccer League. The team played their home games at Esther Shiner Stadium in North York, a district of the city of Toronto, Canada. The team's colours were orange and black. The club was originally named North York Atletico Argentina Soccer Club, and witnessed instant success in its initial stages. After a merger with North York Talons, and a relocation to Scarborough the team was eventually renamed the North York Astros. The Astros were a founding member of the Canadian National Soccer League's successor league the Canadian Professional Soccer League in 1998.
St. Catharines Roma Wolves, are a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1967. The team currently plays in the semi-professional League1 Ontario in both the men's and women's divisions. The club is a former member of the Canadian Soccer League (CSL), where it fielded a professional team from 1998 to 2013, and now operates youth teams in the Peninsula Soccer League. Teams play out of Club Roma in St. Catharines, Ontario in the Niagara Peninsula. The team's colours are dark red and white, mimicking those of the famous Italian club A.S. Roma.
The Durham Storm were a Canadian soccer team that last played in the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) in 2005. The club was founded as the Toronto Olympians in 1998 and played in Toronto, Ontario through 2001, before being renamed the Mississauga Olympians for 2002 and 2003. The team relocated to Oshawa, Ontario in Durham Region for the 2004 & 2005 seasons and was renamed Durham Storm.
The 2003 Canadian Professional Soccer League season was the sixth season for the Canadian Professional Soccer League. The season began on May 24, 2003 and concluded on October 5, 2003 with the Brampton Hitmen defeating Vaughan Sun Devils 1-0 to capture the CPSL Championship. The victory marked Brampton's first championship title, and the final was played at Cove Road Stadium in London, Ontario. During the regular season the Ottawa Wizards and the Hamilton Thunder won their respective conferences. Ottawa became the second CPSL franchise to go undefeated throughout the regular season.
The 2001 Canadian Professional Soccer League season was the fourth season for the Canadian Professional Soccer League. The season began on May 25, 2001 and concluded on October 14, 2001 with St. Catharines Wolves defeating Toronto Supra by a score of 1-0 to win their second CPSL Championship. The final was hosted in St. Catharines with Club Roma Stadium as the venue, while the match received coverage from Rogers TV. The season saw the league expand to a total of 12 teams, and went beyond the GTA and Ontario border to include a Montreal and Ottawa franchise. Throughout the regular season the Ottawa Wizards became the first club to end the Toronto Olympians league title dynasty. The CPSL also launched the CPSL Soccer Show with Rogers TV providing the broadcasting, and granting Rogers naming rights to the CPSL Championship. Other major sponsors included the Government of Canada, which served as the sole sponsor for the CPSL Rookie of the Year Award. The league also announced a working partnership with the Canadian United Soccer League a task force originally started by the Canadian Soccer Association in order forge a unified professional structure with the cooperation of the Canadian franchises in the USL A-League to launch a Canadian first and second division domestic league.
The 2000 Canadian Professional Soccer League season was the third season under the Canadian Professional Soccer League name. The season began on May 26, 2000 and concluded on October 1, 2000 with Toronto Croatia defeating Toronto Olympians 2-1 to claim their first CPSL Championship. The final was hosted at Cove Road Stadium for the first time. Throughout the season, all eight clubs from the previous year returned, while the Olympians secured their third straight regular season title. The league received sponsorship from Primus Canada, which granted Primus naming rights to the CPSL Championship, and Vincent Ursini was appointed the CPSL Chairman.
The 1998Canadian Professional Soccer League season was the inaugural season under the Canadian Professional Soccer League name. The season began on May 31, 1998, and concluded on October 14, 1998, with the St. Catharines Wolves defeating the Toronto Olympians in 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout to claim the first CPSL Championship held at Centennial Park Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. Though Toronto was denied the treble they still managed to go undefeated the entire regular season, and dominate the league with the best offensive and defensive record.
Paul Moore is a Canadian former soccer player who played most notably in the USL A-League, National Professional Soccer League, and with various Canadian soccer leagues.
Salvatore Borgh is a Canadian former soccer player who played his entire career in Canadian Professional Soccer League, and the USL A-League.
Chris Handsor (born January 14, 1972) is a Canadian former soccer player who played outdoor and indoor primarily in the USL A-League, National Professional Soccer League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
Gus Kouzmanis is a Canadian former soccer player who played in the National Professional Soccer League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
Adolfo Mella is a Canadian former soccer player who played in the USL A-League, Canadian Professional Soccer League, and the National Professional Soccer League.
Leonardo Simon is a Canadian former soccer player who played in the National Professional Soccer League, Canadian National Soccer League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
Gary Hughes is a Canadian former soccer player who played in the USISL Select League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
Jerry Cipriani is a Canadian former soccer player who played in the USISL Pro League, Canadian National Soccer League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
Carlo Arghittu is a Canadian former soccer player and coach who played in the Canadian National Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League, USL A-League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
The 1996 Canadian National Soccer League season was the seventy-fourth season for the Canadian National Soccer League. The season began on May 31, 1996, and concluded on October 27, 1996, with Toronto Italia defeating St. Catharines Wolves in a two-game series for the CNSL Championship. St. Catharines managed to secure their fourth league cup title after finishing first in the tournament standings.
The 1994 Canadian National Soccer League season was the seventy-second season for the Canadian National Soccer League. The season began on May 28, 1994, with Montreal Ramblers facing Toronto Croatia at the Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard. The majority of the season was contested by the reigning champions, St. Catharines Roma, along with Montreal Croatia, and Toronto Italia. The title was eventually won by Toronto Italia after defeating St. Catharines in the CNSL Championship final. Toronto would also secure the double, which included the regular-season title. St. Catharines Roma won the league cup.