Velimir Crljen

Last updated

Velimir Crljen
Velimir Crljen.jpg
Crljen in 2011
Personal information
Full name Velimir Crljen
Date of birth (1966-07-23) 23 July 1966 (age 56)
Place of birth SFR Yugoslavia
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1992 HNK Šibenik 1 (0)
1993 Toronto Croatia
1994 Toronto Rockets 5 (1)
1996–1998 Singapore Armed Forces FC
2000 Toronto Croatia
2001 Jurong FC
2002–2006 Toronto Croatia
Managerial career
2000 Toronto Croatia (player/coach)
2003 Toronto Croatia (player/coach)
2005 Toronto Croatia (player/coach)
2009 Toronto Croatia
2011–2015 Toronto Croatia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Velimir Crljen (born 23 July 1966) is a Croatian retired footballer and manager who played in the Croatian First Football League, American Professional Soccer League, Canadian Professional Soccer League, and S.League. He also had several notable terms as a manager for Toronto Croatia in the CPSL/CSL.

Contents

Playing career

Crljen played with HNK Šibenik of the Croatian First Football League in 1992. [1] In 1993, he played abroad in the Canadian National Soccer League with Toronto Croatia. [2] The following season played in the American Professional Soccer League with the Toronto Rockets. He made his debut on 8 July 1994 against Seattle Sounders. [3] In 1996, he played in the newly formed S.League with the Singapore Armed Forces FC, where he formed an instrumental triumvirate with fellow Croatian imports Ivica Raguz, and Jure Ere. [4] During his tenure with SAFFC he won the three league titles, Singapore Cup, and the Singapore FA Cup. [5]

In 2000, he returned to Canada in the role of player/coach for Toronto Croatia in the Canadian Professional Soccer League. [6] Crljen managed to achieve a CPSL Championship after defeating the Toronto Olympians. [7] After a one-year absence he returned to Singapore to sign with Jurong FC. [8] [9] In 2002, he permanently returned to Toronto Croatia, where he would eventually make the full transition from a player to a manager. [10] He won his second CPSL Championship as a player in 2004. [11]

Managerial career

In 2003, he resumed his dual role of player/coach for Toronto. [12] After a year sabbatical from coaching, he returned to manage in 2005 and was named the head coach for the 2006 CSL All-Star team. [13] In 2009, he fully retired from competitive soccer and returned to managing Toronto Croatia, where he was dismissed at the conclusion of the season. [14] He returned in 2011 to lead Croatia to a championship, and followed by a double in 2012. [15] [16] In 2012, he was recognized by the league with the Coach of the Year award. [17] He added another championship title in 2015, making Crljen one of the most successful managers in CPSL/CSL history. [18] [19]

Honours

Player

Singapore Armed Forces FC
Toronto Croatia

Managerial

Toronto Croatia

Related Research Articles

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

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 football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brampton Stallions</span> Former Canadian Soccer League team

Brampton Stallions were a Canadian soccer team, founded in 2001 as the Brampton Hitmen before changing its name in 2005. The team was a member of the Canadian Soccer League and played in the National Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serbian White Eagles FC</span> Canadian soccer team

Serbian White Eagles Football Club is a Canadian soccer team. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, an unsanctioned soccer league.

Eddy Berdusco is a Canadian retired professional soccer player. A former forward, he began his career in the Canadian Soccer League, where he finished as the third all-time highest goalscorer. After the demise of the CSL he spent some time abroad in Europe, China, before returning to North America to play with the Milwaukee Rampage. Berdusco would spend the remainder of his career in the Canadian Professional Soccer League, winning several team championships with the Toronto Olympians, and retiring with the Toronto Supra in 2002.

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

London City Soccer Club is a Canadian soccer team founded in 1973. The team is currently a member of the Canadian Academy of Soccer League. The team plays their home games at the Milton Community Sports Park in the town of Milton, Ontario. The team's colours are red, black and white. Formed on Valentine's Day of 1973 by Markus Gauss in order to field a London entry for the National Soccer League after the departure of German Canadian FC. The Gauss family ran and provided the city of London a professional team for 38 years. Under their tutelage the club was most notable for providing an opportunity for young players to develop in a professional environment.

<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">York Region Shooters</span> Canadian soccer team

York Region Shooters is a Canadian soccer team, that plays in the Canadian Soccer League. The Shooters played their home games at the St. Joan of Arc Turf Field in the City of Vaughan, Ontario. The team's colours were blue and white, mirroring those of the Italy national team and reflecting the cultural heritage of the club. The club had also competed under various different names as Vaughan Sun Devils, Vaughan Shooters, Italia Shooters, and finally as York Region Shooters.

<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.

The 2006 Canadian Soccer League season was the 9th season for the Canadian Soccer League. The season began on May 19, 2006, and concluded on October 15, 2006, with Italia Shooters defeating Serbian White Eagles, 1–0, at Esther Shiner Stadium to win their first CSL Championship. In the regular season Serbia clinched the International Division, and Oakville Blue Devils secured their first National Division title. The league was re-branded as the Canadian Soccer League, and renamed their two existing conferences into the International and National division. The changes brought about an increase in sponsorship, media coverage, and a 50% increase in attendance. The CSL also received greater autonomy from the Ontario Soccer Association. The league struck an agreement with the Toronto Community News which provided coverage for the league and its member clubs through their nine community newspapers.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brampton City United FC</span> Canadian soccer team

Brampton City United FC is a Canadian soccer team, founded in 2002. The team plays in the Lika Supergroup Open Division. The club plays out of Victoria Park Stadium in the community of Brampton, Ontario.

Hugo Herrera is an Argentine former association football forward who had stints in South America, and most notably in the Canadian Soccer League with the Brampton Stallions and Toronto Croatia. During his tenure within the CSL he won three CSL Championships and two Croatian World Club Championship.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milodrag Akmadžić</span> Croatian footballer and coach

Milodrag "Backo" Akmadžić is a Croatian retired footballer and is a former assistant coach with Toronto Croatia of the Canadian Soccer League. Akmadžić played the majority of his career in the Canadian Professional Soccer League and had a stint in the National Professional Soccer League. After his retirement from competitive soccer, he went into the field of coaching teams within the CSL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Amaral</span> Canadian soccer player and coach

Daniel Araujo Amaral is a Canadian former soccer player and current head coach for Portugal AC in the Arena Premier League.

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

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlo Arghittu</span> Canadian former soccer player and coach

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.

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

George Azcurra is a Canadian former soccer player who played in the USISL D-3 Pro League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.

References

  1. ↑ "Velimir Crljen". hrnogomet.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  2. ↑ McDonald, Marvin (24 July 1993). "Offence doesn't mean victory". NewspaperArchive.com. Winnipeg Free Press. p. 71. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  3. ↑ "July 8, 1994". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "S-league: Facts & Figures" . Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  5. ↑ "S-league 1999 season". s-leaguefootball.blogspot.ca. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  6. ↑ "Canadian Professional Soccer League". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  7. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 1, 2000 Toronto Olympians vs Toronto Croatia". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  8. ↑ "Match Number: 019". www.geocities.ws. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  9. ↑ "2001 - Mar. 14 - Croatia on the move; Crijen overseas; Windsor gets game". 4 January 2003. Archived from the original on 4 January 2003. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League". 25 December 2002. Archived from the original on 25 December 2002. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  11. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 11, 2004 CPSL Rogers Cup Final Vaughan Shooters vs Toronto Croatia (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  12. ↑ "October 1, 2003 CPSL Toronto Croatia vs Brampton (League decision)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  13. ↑ "May 7, 2006 CPSL All-Stars vs Clyde FC (Scotlanc) (from CPSL media release)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  14. ↑ Gossai, Amit (17 May 2010). "Toronto Croatia opener delayed | Mississauga.com". Mississauga.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  15. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League". 24 January 2013. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  16. ↑ "October 27, 2012 CSL Final--Toronto Croatia vs Montreal Impact Academy (from CSL website)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  17. ↑ "November 15, 2011--Toronto Croatia's Tihomir Maletic MVP For Second Year...Annual Award Winners Announced Sunday (from CSL website)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  18. ↑ Adamson, Stan. "TORONTO CROATIA WIN A SQUEAKER FOR CSL CHAMPIONSHIP….Milton score Second Division victory | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  19. ↑ Pavic, Marko (26 November 2015). "Toronto Croatia ponovo najbolja, osvojila je kanadsko prvenstvo". www.vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 6 June 2020.
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.