Master's FA
 | |
| Full name | Master's Futbol Academy |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Saints |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Stadium | L'Amoreaux Park Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario |
| Owner | Junior Groves |
| Manager | Rick Titus |
| League | League1 Ontario |
| 2019 | League1 Ontario, 4th Playoffs: Champions |
| Website | http://www.mfasoccer.ca |
Master's Futbol Academy, commonly known as Master's FA, is a Canadian semi-professional soccer club based in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario. The club was founded in 2009 as a soccer academy and added its team in the semi-professional League1 Ontario, the third tier in the Canadian soccer league system.
The club was one of the ten original founding men's teams in League1 Ontario, which was established in 2014. Their team initially competed under the name Master's FA Saints.[1]
History
In 2009, Master's Futbol Academy was founded by Junior Groves.[2] In 2014, the semi-professional club was established to play in the newly formed League1 Ontario as one of the founding members.[3][4] They were one of the three Ontario Soccer Association Recognized Non-Club Academies permitted to enter a team in the league, along with ANB Futbol and Sigma FC.[5] The club played their debut match on May 31, 2014 against the Cataraqui Clippers, winning 3–0.[6]
Their most successful season came in 2019, when they won the 2019 League1 Ontario playoffs, defeating FC London 4–1 in the finals.[7] This victory qualified the club for the Canadian Championship for the first time in 2020.[8][9] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their participation was shifted to the 2021 Canadian Championship.[10]
Seasons
| Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | League Cup | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | League1 Ontario | 9 | 5–2–9 | 7th | – | Group stage | [11] |
| 2015 | 12 | 1–3–18 | 12th | – | Group stage | [11] | |
| 2016 | 16 | 3–2–17 | 8th, Eastern (16th) | Did not qualify | Runner-up | [11] | |
| 2017 | 16 | 9–3–10 | 5th, Eastern (9th) | Did not qualify | Quarter-finals | [11] | |
| 2018 | 17 | 4–7–5 | 10th | Did not qualify | Quarter-finals | [11] | |
| 2019 | 16 | 9–3–3 | 4th | Champions | – | [11] | |
| 2020 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[12] | ||||||
Notable former players
Honours
- League1 Ontario Championship (1): 2019
References
- ^ Meertins, Tyrrell (May 29, 2014). "Introducing Master's FA". League1 Ontario.
- ^ "History of Master's Futbol Academy". Master's FA.
- ^ "Ontario launches provincial semi-professional men's league". Canadian Soccer Association. April 8, 2014.
- ^ "OSA announces League1 Ontario teams". Ontario Soccer Association. April 8, 2014. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014.
- ^ Hayakawa, Michael (April 10, 2014). "Vaughan to field 2 teams in inaugural soccer league". Vaughan Citizen.
- ^ Meertins, Tyrrell (June 2, 2014). "Master's FA Saints 3 - Cataraqui Clippers 0". League1 Ontario.
- ^ Vanderhoeven, Paul (September 28, 2019). "FC London battles to the finish in League1 championship loss to Scarborough Masters". The London Free Press.
- ^ Jacques, John (September 28, 2019). "Master's Futbol Academy Wins League1 Ontario For The First Time". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "12 teams from four leagues to contest 2020 Canadian Championship". Sportsnet. December 18, 2019.
- ^ Thompson, Marty (June 16, 2020). "Masters FA moved from amended 2020 CanChamp, will play in 2021 edition". League1 Ontario.
- ^ a b c d e f "League1 Ontario Historical Standings Men's Division". Canadian Soccer History Archives.
- ^ "League1 Ontario cancels Fall season plans for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions". Canadian Premier League. September 4, 2020.
