1997 Canadian National Soccer League season
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] 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 who had another opportunity in 1998 to return to the professional scene, but failed to settle disputes regarding territory and league policy.[2][3] 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.[4] The following season it would operate as the Canadian Professional Soccer League sanctioned by the Ontario Soccer Association in order to implement the Image of the Game report to provide a suitable professional soccer structure in Ontario and potentially throughout the country.[5][6]
Overview
Summary
The amount of clubs participating in the 1997 season remained seven as the previous season with several notable additions, and departures. As the Canadian International Soccer League (Puma League) merged with the Canadian National Soccer League (CNSL) it marked the return of Toronto Croatia, Hamilton White Eagles, and with Kosova Albanians as a new entry.[7] A notable absence was the departure of well-established Toronto Italia, which was a result of a feud with Toronto Croatia stemming from the an alleged debt owed to the latter from the 1995 season.[8][9][10] Meanwhile, after a single season in the CNSL Oakville Canadian Western ceased operations. While Scarborough Astros merged with North York Talons and played their home matches in North York, and Scarborough.
As the USISL A-League expanded to include the Toronto Lynx the CNSL began to automatically serve as an unofficial feeder system with Peter Pinizzotto, and several CNSL players being recruited to the inaugural roster.[11][12] The league received this official recognition in the 2002 season under its successor league.[13][14] Throughout the on-field activities St. Catharines Roma Wolves secured the final CNSL Championship, the club's third title after defeating Toronto Supra.[15] Controversies abounded throughout the season as a league meeting was convened in the final quarters of the season, which resulted in the suspension of Hamilton, and North York for the remainder of the season.[16] While the final five matches of the regular season were canceled, which allowed all remaining clubs a berth in the postseason.[16]
Teams
Team | City | Stadium | Manager |
---|---|---|---|
Hamilton White Eagles | Hamilton, Ontario | Brian Timmis Stadium | |
Kosova Albanians | North York, Ontario | Esther Shiner Stadium | Jose Valencia[17] |
London City | London, Ontario | Cove Road Stadium | Steve Roney[18] |
North York Talons | North York, Ontario | Esther Shiner Stadium | Jorge Armua[19] |
St. Catharines Roma Wolves | St. Catharines, Ontario (Vansickle) | Club Roma Stadium | Dino Perri[20] |
Toronto Croatia | Etobicoke, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | Zlatko Haramincic |
Toronto Supra | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | Cesar Garcia[21] |
|
|
Final standings
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 Playoffs |
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 | |
5 | London City | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 27 | −23 | 1 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners
Playoffs
First round
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 | ![]() |
(Report) | Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium Attendance: 50 Referee: Yakov Keimakh |
Kosova wins two 15 minute half mini game 1-0 to win tiebreaker in this series.
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 |
Second round
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 |
Finals
Toronto Supra | 0–0 | St. Catharines Roma Wolves |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
St. Catharines won 4–3 on aggregate.
Cup
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.[28] 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.[29] League executive Michael Di Biase reported that the club officials failed in properly addressing the request.[30] Though Toronto Croatia finished with similar results they were disqualified after using an ineligible player. As Hamilton, and North York were 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.[31] 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.
Standings
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 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 11 | |
5 | London City | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 28 | −19 | 4 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Matches
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 ![]() |
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 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 ![]() |
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 ![]() |
Report | Ante Musa ![]() |
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 ![]() |
Report | Gary McCuchan ![]() |
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 ![]() ![]() |
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 ![]() |
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 ![]() |
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 |
References
- ^ "Canadian National Soccer League 1993 to 1997" (PDF). Retrieved April 21, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Bailey, David (October 22, 1998). "CPSL's Faltering First Steps". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Canada Kicks. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
- ^ Bailey, David (April 24, 1998). "Italia Out - Let's Get On With It". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Canada Kicks. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
- ^ Ault, Bill (August 25, 1997). "National Dream - The OSA's hopes for the CPSL are national". web.archive.org. Canada Kicks. Archived from the original on October 23, 1999. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
- ^ "About the CPSL". web.archive.org. 2001-04-19. Archived from the original on April 19, 2001. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
- ^ Jose, Colin (2001). On - Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. pp. 114, 117.
- ^ McGill, Aldwyn. Aldwynable - Vintage Midget. Star Soccer Review. p. 88.
- ^ Bailey, David (April 24, 1998). "Italia Out - Let's Get On With It". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Canada Kicks. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ "Pro Soccer in London, Ontario". web.archive.org. 2001-05-02. Archived from the original on May 2, 2001. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ Da Costa, Norman (May 9, 1997). "Toronto Italia out of business; CNSL in battle". Toronto Star. p. C10.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Bailey, David (April 1, 1997). "Soccer News Story". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Canada Kicks. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ Mauntah, Richard (April 4, 1997). "Lynx go on the prowl for fans". Financial Post. p. 48.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Da Costa, Norman (April 19, 2002). "Hartrells defy odds to keep Lynx alive". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Toronto Star. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ "2002 - Feb. 26 - CPSL signs Player Agreement with Toronto Lynx". web.archive.org. 2002-08-05. Archived from the original on August 5, 2002. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ "Canada 1997". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ a b Glover, Robin. "1997 CNSL Season". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ Glover, Robin (July 12, 1997). "CNSL game between Kosova Albanians and North York Talons". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
- ^ Glover, Robin (July 13, 1997). "CNSL game between Toronto Supra and London City". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
- ^ "North York Astros Soccer Club Powered by Goalline Sports Administration Software". web.archive.org. 2009-06-01. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
- ^ Glover, Robin (September 3, 1997). "CNSL game between Toronto Croatia and St Catharines Roma Wolves". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
- ^ Glover, Robin (July 18, 1997). "CNSL game between Toronto Supra and North York Talons". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
- ^ "Canadian National Soccer League 1997 Season Summary | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ a b "Canada Soccer". canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ a b "Canada Soccer". canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ a b "Dino Perri - Men's Soccer Coach". McMaster University Athletics. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ a b "HWCDSB alumni and trustee inducted into Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame". www.hwcdsb.ca. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ a b "Luciano Beradocco". Niagara College. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "September 7, 1997". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "July 12, 1997". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "September 14, 1997". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
- ^ Glover, Robin (September 29, 1997). "CNSL game Kosova Albanians and St Catharines Roma Wolves". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-13.