Elvis Thomas (soccer, born 1972)

Last updated
Elvis Thomas
Personal information
Full name Elvis Thomas
Date of birth (1972-07-27) July 27, 1972 (age 51)
Place of birth Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) striker
Youth career
Neil McNeil Maroons
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1990–1994 Hartford Hawks
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1996 Connecticut Wolves 12 (1)
1997–1998 Toronto Lynx 50 (12)
1998 Montreal Impact 3 (0)
1999–2000 Toronto Olympians 31 (30)
2000–2001 Toronto ThunderHawks (indoor) 33 (11)
2002–2003 Toronto Lynx 37 (4)
2003 Vaughan Sun Devils 6 (0)
Total139(47)
International career‡
1999–2000 Canada 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 November 2009
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 November 2009

Elvis Thomas (born July 27, 1972) is a former Canadian soccer player.

Contents

He spent the majority of his soccer career in North America, primarily playing for clubs in Canada. Thomas' greatest achievements were spent with the Toronto Lynx, and the Toronto Olympians, where he won a league title and two Open Canada Cups with the Olympians; he was also awarded the Canadian Professional Soccer League MVP Award.

Internationally, Thomas has represented Canada at the senior level, by being capped a total of three times. He is first CPSL player to be called up for the national team, while playing in the league. [1]

Club career

Thomas began playing soccer during his tenure at the University of Hartford. During his four-year tenure at Hartford Thomas' accomplishments were being named All-New England and First Team All-Conference in 1993 and 1994, and serving captain in both those seasons. Also helped the Hawks earn a spot on the All-Conference Championship postseason team in 1991, 1992, and 1994. He was the Championship MVP in 1992. Upon graduating from Hartford Thomas was drafted by the Connecticut Wolves of the USISL Select League in 1996.

The following season the USISL Select League merged with the A-League, which resulted in Thomas returning to his hometown to sign with the newly expansion franchise Toronto Lynx. The signing of Thomas was announced in a press conference where the Lynx unveiled their roster for their debut season. [2] Thomas made his debut on April 12, 1997 in a match against Jacksonville Cyclones, where he made history by scoring the franchise's first goal; unfortunately the match ended in 3–1 defeat. [3] On May 3 Thomas in a match against the Worcester Wildfire Thomas contributed by scoring the second goal in a 3–1 victory, which marked the first victory for the Toronto side. [4] Thomas would continue his fine form by recording another goal in a 3–0 victory over the Richmond Kickers on May 11. [5] He helped the Lynx to set a franchise and A-league record of ten straight wins; their streak came to an end with a 1–0 defeat to Long Island Rough Riders on June 22. He finished his rookie season with six goals that helped the Lynx clinch a playoff spot. During the club's playoff run Thomas started in the first leg of the semi-final match against the Montreal Impact where the Lynx were defeated 2–1. [6] Unfortunately for the Lynx they were defeated 4–0 in the second leg of the semi-final match, which resulted in a 6–1 victory on aggregate for Montreal. In 1998 Thomas recorded his first goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat to his former club Connecticut. [7] On August 26 the Toronto Lynx traded Thomas to rivals Montreal Impact for future considerations and an undisclosed amount of cash. [8] In Montreal Thomas appeared in only three matches and led the Impact to the Conference Semi-finals. In the post season, Thomas recorded two goals for the Impact in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Rochester Rhinos.

Thomas left Montreal in September 1999, when new ownership opted against fielding an outdoor squad in order to properly prepare for the 1999-2000 indoor season. Resulting in Thomas to sign with the Toronto Olympians of the Canadian Professional Soccer League. He made his debut on June 6, 1999 against York Region Shooters where he even managed to score two goals in a 7–1 victory. [9] During the 1999 season, he was instrumental in leading his club to the Treble, and setting a league record by becoming the first CPSL franchise to finish the season undefeated. [10] The season was a productive one for Thomas, as he scored 25 goals in all competitions. [11] In doing so he led the Olympians to their first Rogers Cup triumph, where he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 victory over Toronto Croatia on October 2 in the CPSL playoff finals match. [12] Thomas was further instrumental during Toronto's quest to claim their second consecutive Open Canada Cup. In the tournament Thomas contributed by registering five goals that led the Scarborough side to the finals, where their opponents were Toronto Croatia. During the finals the Olympians were leading the match with a one-goal lead, until Thomas struck two stunning goals to allow the match to culminate to a 3–0 victory. [13] Once the season came to a conclusion Thomas was named the CPSL MVP Award. [14] Due to a sensational debut season he received his first cap for the national side and was part of the winning team in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

During the 2000 season, Thomas was again instrumental in Toronto's exceptionally successful campaign; together with the likes of Gus Kouzmanis, Eddy Berdusco, and Darren Tilley, Thomas led the Olympians to a 10-game undefeated streak, as well as claiming the Open Canada Cup in the process. The victory in claiming the Open Cup marked the first time in league history a club winning the trophy three consecutive years in a row. Thomas was responsible for scoring the lone goal that would clinch the title for the Scarborough-based club, in a 1–0 victory over St. Catharines Roma Wolves. [15] Thomas finished the season with nine goals placing him third in most goals scored for the Olympians. [16] Though he did manage to lead his team to the playoff finals, they were defeated by Toronto Croatia by a score of 2–1.

Shortly after the season Thomas announced a leave of absence in order to pursue a career in teaching. He made his return to soccer a year later when he returned to the A-League to sign with his former club Toronto Lynx. Thomas was signed on April 20, 2002 in a press conference held by the Lynx. [17] He scored his first goal of the season on April 27, 2002 in a 2–1 victory over Hampton Roads Mariners. [18] He nearly helped the Lynx make the playoffs, where the Lynx required a victory in the final game of season against Atlanta Silverbacks, but unfortunately the match resulted in a tie for the Lynx, which allowed Charlotte Eagles to clinch the final playoff berth. On March 18, 2003 the Toronto Lynx re-signed Thomas to a one-year contract. [19] Thomas concluded the season with two goals, but unfortunately the Lynx failed to reach the post season for the third year straight. As his contract expired at the end of season, Thomas played the remainder of the season in the CPSL with Vaughan Sun Devils. He made his debut on September 12, 2003 against Hamilton Thunder. [20] He helped secure a postseason berth by finishing third in the Eastern Conference. In the first round of the playoffs he contributed a goal in a 4–3 victory over Toronto Supra. [21] Vaughan reached the CPSL Championship final against Brampton Hitmen, but Thomas didn't feature in the match. [22] After the 2003 season he retired from professional soccer in order to continue on teaching. In 2006 it was announced that Thomas was inducted into the University of Hartford Hall of Fame. [23]

Thomas had a stint in the National Professional Soccer League with the short lived expansion franchise the Toronto ThunderHawks during the 2000-2001 winter indoor season. [24] He helped the ThunderHawks reach the postseason by finishing second in the National Conference, and reached the Conference finals where they were defeated by the Milwaukee Wave.

International career

He made his debut for Canada in an October 1999 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification match against Haiti and went on to earn a total of 3 caps, scoring no goals. He was in Canada's title-winning squad at the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but did not play himself. His final international was a January 2000 friendly match against Bermuda.

Coaching career

He now works for Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School as a Cooperative Education teacher. [25] [26]

Honors

Canada

Toronto Olympians

Individual

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Serioux</span> Canadian soccer player (born 1979)

Adrian Serioux is a Canadian retired professional soccer player who played as a defender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abraham François</span> Canadian soccer player

Abraham François is a Canadian retired footballer. He competed in the 1997 Canada Games with Quebec, winning the competition. He was then selected to represent Canada at the Francophonie Games in Madagascar, also winning the competition. His career spanned from 1998 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North York Astros</span> Canadian soccer 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Catharines Roma Wolves</span> Canadian soccer team

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SC Toronto</span> Canadian soccer team

SC Toronto was a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1994. The team was a member of the Canadian Soccer League, and played its final home games at Lamport Stadium in the city of Toronto, Ontario. The club found success early on since its inception as the Toronto Supra in the Canadian National Soccer League, making the postseason in 1996, and the championship finals in 1997. With the creation of the Canadian Professional Soccer League in 1998, Toronto missed out in registering for the league which resulted in the club completing in local amateur leagues. Supra would eventually return to the professional level in 2001, entering the CPSL as an expansion franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Durham Storm</span> Former Canadian soccer team

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ottawa Wizards</span> Former Canadian soccer club

Ottawa Wizards were a Canadian soccer club which operated in the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL), from 2001 to 2003. The team's home stadium was the OZ Optics Stadium. Though the team had a relatively short tenure with the CPSL, the club dominated the league by winning three consecutive regular season championships, two Open Canada Cups, and the CPSL Championship. Despite the club's success the franchise was revoked by the league in 2003 after several legal disputes with the CPSL administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Medwin</span> Canadian soccer player

Cameron Medwin is a Canadian former soccer who played as a defender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Faria</span> Canadian former soccer player

Shawn Faria is a Canadian former soccer player who played the majority of his career with the Toronto Lynx in the USL First Division and had several stints with various clubs in the Canadian Soccer League.

Robin Hart is a Trinidadian former footballer who played in the TT Pro League, Canadian Professional Soccer League, and the USL First Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergio De Luca</span> Canadian association football player

Sergio De Luca is a Canadian professional soccer coach and former player.

Francisco Enrique Crespo dos Santos, known as Francisco Dos Santos or Batata, is a Brazilian former footballer who played the majority of career with Canadian clubs in the Canadian Soccer League, and the Toronto Lynx of the USL A-League.

Daryl Holmes is a New Zealand born former professional football player who played the majority of his career in North America.

Phil Caporella is a former Canadian soccer player who played the majority of his career in the USL A-League and with several Canadian clubs.

Brian Ashton is a Canadian former soccer player who played notably with the Toronto Lynx, and is currently the Ontario Soccer Association Region 6 Head Coach.

Peyvand Mossavat (born August 17, 1970) is an Iranian-born Canadian former soccer player and coach who played in the Canadian Soccer League. Canadian National Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League, USL A-League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.

Czesław Zajac is a Polish former footballer.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonijo Zupan</span> Serbian footballer

Antonijo Zupan is a Croatian retired footballer who played in the Croatian First Football League, and the Canadian Soccer League.

References

  1. ↑ "CPSL Award Winners". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  2. ↑ Bailey, David. "First roster announced April 1997". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  3. ↑ Abao, G. Warren. "Jacksonville Cyclones (1) 3:1 (0) Toronto Lynx". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  4. ↑ Hendren, Paul. "Lynx Smother Wildfire". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  5. ↑ Hendren, Paul. "Lynx Kick Richmond". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  6. ↑ Glover, Robin. "A-League game of Friday September 5, 1997". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  7. ↑ Hendren, Paul. "CLEANING HOUSE". Canada Kicks--News Story. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  8. ↑ Glover, Robin. "Three and Counting". Canada Kicks--News Story. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  9. ↑ "Olympians Get Flying Start". Canada Kicks--CPSL Update. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  10. ↑ Glover, Robin. "1999 CPSL Season Review". Rocket Robin. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  11. ↑ "CPSL Award Winners". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  12. ↑ Glover, Robin. "CPSL game between Toronto Olympians and Toronto Croatia". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  13. ↑ Glover, Robin. "CPSL game between Toronto Croatia and Toronto Olympians played at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke at 3:00pm. This was the League Cup Final". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  14. ↑ Glover, Robin. "1999 CPSL Awards Dinner". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  15. ↑ Glover, Robin. "CPSL game between Toronto Olympians and St Catharines Roma Wolves". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  16. ↑ "Final Year 2000 Results". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  17. ↑ Glover, Robin. "Details of the Toronto Lynx Press Conference". Toronto Lynx media release. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  18. ↑ Michalko, Eric. "ROAD TO VICTORY GOES THROUGH HAMPTON". TORONTO LYNX GAME REPORT. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  19. ↑ Nutt, David. "ANOTHER 2 LYNX FAVOURITES ARE BACK FOR 2003!". TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  20. ↑ Glover, Robin. "September 12, 2003 CPSL Vaughan Sun Devils vs Hamilton Thunder (part 2)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  21. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 1st, 2003 CPSL Playoff Toronto Supra vs Vaughan Sun Devils". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  22. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 5th, 2003 CPSL Rogers Cup Playoffs Final Vaughan Sun Devils vs Brampton Hitmen (part 2)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  23. ↑ "BITS 'N' BITES". CANOE -- SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ↑ "Elvis Thomas | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2015-06-20.
  25. ↑ He also works as a soccer coach for Pickering FC.Soccer Maroons prepare to test playoff mettle - The Mirror
  26. ↑ Elvis Thomas Soccer Coach, Neil McNeil High School - Fan590
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.