1996 Canadian National Soccer League season

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.[1] St. Catharines managed to secure their third league cup title after finishing first in the tournament standings.

Canadian National Soccer League
Season1996
Champions
  • Toronto Italia (regular season)
  • Toronto Italia (playoffs, 12th title)
League cupSt. Catharines Wolves
Matches played44
Goals scored158 (3.59 per match)
Top goalscorerMichele Gioia
Biggest home winToronto Italia 9-0 North York Talons (August 25)
Toronto Italia 9-1 London City (October 6)
Biggest away winNorth York Talons 2-8 Toronto Italia (July 14)
Highest scoringNorth York Talons 2-8 Toronto Italia (July 14)
Oakville Western Canadians 8-2 London City (September 7)
← 1995
1997 →

Overview

The membership in the league increased to seven teams with three new entries. The league expanded to the Oakville territory with the addition of the Oakville Canadian Westerns, and the acceptance of Toronto Supra from the Canadian International Soccer League (Puma League).[2] While the North York Talons represented the Caribbean Community in the Greater Toronto Area.[3] The Hamilton White Eagles departed to join the Canadian International Soccer League, and the Toronto Jets merged with Toronto Italia.[4]

Toronto Italia under new ownership transferred their home venue to Rainbow Creek Stadium in Woodbridge, Vaughan.[5] Italia also managed to recruit Diego Maradona for the CNSL All-Star match.[6] In the league's executive branch Peter Li Preti served as president, and Michael Di Biase as commissioner.

Teams
Team City Stadium Manager
London City London, Ontario Cove Road Stadium Steve Roney[7]
North York Talons North York, Ontario Esther Shiner Stadium Trevor Dennis[7]
Oakville Canadian Westerns Oakville, Ontario Sheridan College Mike Palmiotta
Scarborough Astros Scarborough, Ontario Birchmount Stadium Jorge Armua[8]
St. Catharines Wolves St. Catharines, Ontario (Vansickle) Club Roma Stadium
Toronto Italia Vaughan, Ontario Rainbow Creek Stadium Peter Pinizzotto[9]
Toronto Supra Toronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium

Final standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Toronto Italia (C, O) 12 10 2 0 51 7 +44 32 Qualification for Playoffs
2 St. Catharines Wolves 11 8 2 1 36 4 +32 26
3 Toronto Supra 12 6 4 2 25 12 +13 22
4 Oakville Western Canadians 11 5 2 4 26 18 +8 17
5 London City 12 3 1 8 10 41 −31 10
6 Scarborough Astros 10 0 3 7 2 23 −21 3
7 North York Talons 12 0 2 10 8 53 −45 2
Updated to match(es) played on October 14, 1996. Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner.

Playoffs

Semifinals
October 16, 1996 St. Catharines Wolves 0–0 Toronto Supra St. Catharines, Ontario
20:15 ET (Report) Stadium: Club Roma Stadium
October 29, 1996 Toronto Supra 1–2 St. Catharines Wolves Toronto, Ontario
15:00 ET (Report) Stadium: Lamport Stadium
October 20, 1996 Toronto Italia 2–3 Oakville Western Canadians Vaughan, Ontario
16:00 ET Gamble  34'
Caporella 74'		 (Report) Lui Fotia  11'
Andrew Loague  52',  91'		 Stadium: Rainbow Creek Stadium
Attendance: 80
Referee: Tony Camacho
October 21, 1996 Oakville Western Canadians 1–4 Toronto Italia Oakville, Ontario
20:00 ET (Report) Stadium: Bronte Park

Finals
St. Catharines Wolves0–5Toronto Italia
Report
Club Roma Stadium, St. Catharines, Ontario
Toronto Italia6–0St. Catharines Wolves
  • Zomparelli  2',  15'
  • Zanini  37'
  • Gamble  57'
  • Maxwell  72'
  • Maradona  89'
 Report
Rainbow Creek Stadium, Vaughan, Ontario
Attendance: 200
Referee: Andrew Jasinski

Assistant referees:
Bill Teeuwen
Norma Clark

Toronto won 11–0 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. One match involving Toronto Italia and London City failed to materialize, but was of no consequence as St. Catharines Wolves accumulated enough points to secure the title.[15]

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 St. Catharines Wolves (C) 12 10 1 1 33 9 +24 31
2 Toronto Italia 11 8 2 1 31 8 +23 26
3 Toronto Supra 12 8 2 2 32 13 +19 26
4 Oakville Canadian Westerns 12 5 2 5 20 21 −1 17
5 London City 11 3 2 6 14 22 −8 11
6 Scarborough Astros 12 2 1 9 12 31 −19 7
7 North York Talons 12 0 0 12 5 43 −38 0
Updated to match(es) played on October 14, 1996. Source: http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/cnslar20.htm
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion.

Matches
June 2, 1996 Toronto Italia 1–0 St. Catharines Wolves Vaughan, Ontario
18:00 Caporella  77' Report Stadium: Rainbow Creek Stadium
Referee: Bridgeman
June 14, 1996 London City 0–4 Toronto Supra London, Ontario
20:00 Report Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
June 15, 1996 Oakville Canadian Westerns 0–2 Toronto Italia Oakville, Ontario
18:00 Report Stadium: Sheridan College
June 22, 1996 Oakville Canadian Westerns 5–1 North York Talons Oakville, Ontario
18:00 Report Stadium: Sheridan College
June 23, 1996 Toronto Italia 1–1 Toronto Supra Vaughan, Ontario
18:00 Caporella  22' Report Gus Kouzmanis  93' Stadium: Rainbow Creek Stadium
Attendance: 400
Referee: Steve Mortimer
June 26, 1996 St. Catharines Wolves 4–2 Scarborough Astros St. Catharines, Ontario
20:15 Report Stadium: Club Roma Stadium
July 7, 1996 North York Talons 0–3 London City North York, Ontario
15:00 Report John Bottineau  30'
Wilco Kadters  80'
Luan Jonuzi  85'		 Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium
Attendance: 70
Referee: Gord Arrowsmith
July 12, 1996 London City 2–2 Oakville Canadian Westerns London, Ontario
20:00 Report Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
July 13, 1996 Oakville Canadian Westerns 4–2 London City Oakville, Ontario
18:00 Report Stadium: Sheridan College
July 19, 1996 Toronto Supra 9–0 North York Talons Toronto, Ontario
19:35 Report Stadium: Lamport Stadium
July 20, 1996 Oakville Canadian Westerns 1–2 St. Catharines Wolves Oakville, Ontario
18:00 Report Stadium: Sheridan College
July 21, 1996 Scarborough Astros 2–0 North York Talons Scarborough, Ontario
19:00 Report Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
July 26, 1996 London City 2–0 Scarborough Astros London, Ontario
20:00 Report Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
July 28, 1996 Scarborough Astros 1–8 Toronto Italia Scarborough, Ontario
19:00 Marco Bonofiglio  72' Report Gioia  26',  29'
Caporella  32',  37'
Tony Zanini  61',  70'
Gamble  81'
Richard Alexander  83'		 Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
Attendance: 250
Referee: Steve Mortimer
August 2, 1996 London City 1–4 St. Catharines Wolves London, Ontario
20:00 Report Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
August 4, 1996 North York Talons 1–2 Scarborough Astros North York, Ontario
19:00 Report Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium
August 4, 1996 Toronto Italia 2–2 Oakville Canadian Westerns Vaughan, Ontario
18:00 Spadafina  36'
Gioia  90'		 Report Rob Anderson  61'
Bart Ostaszewski  95'		 Stadium: Rainbow Creek Stadium
Attendance: 250
Referee: Mike Cvetanovich
August 7, 1996 St. Catharines Wolves 7–0 North York Talons St. Catharines, Ontario
20:15 Report Stadium: Club Roma Stadium
August 11, 1996 Scarborough Astros 1–1 London City Scarborough, Ontario
19:00 Bill Heaney  30' Report John Bottineau  26' Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
Attendance: 40
Referee: Mike Czetanovich
August 11, 1996 Toronto Supra 0–3 Toronto Italia Toronto, Ontario
19:35 Report Stadium: Lamport Stadium
August 18, 1996 North York Talons 1–5 Toronto Italia North York, Ontario
19:00 Caswell Shaw  84' Report Maradona  1'
Spadafina  9'
Anthony Zanini  46'
Garvin Houston  56'
Gioia  86'		 Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium
Attendance: 150
Referee: Al Pereira
August 18, 1996 Scarborough Astros 3–4 Toronto Supra Scarborough, Ontario
19:00 Report Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
August 23, 1996 London City 0–2 Toronto Italia London, Ontario
20:00 Report Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
August 24, 1996 Oakville Canadian Westerns 2–5 Toronto Supra Oakville, Ontario
18:00 Report Stadium: Sheridan College
August 25, 1996 Scarborough Astros 0–3 St. Catharines Wolves Scarborough, Ontario
19:00 Report Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
August 30, 1996 London City 3–1 North York Talons London, Ontario
20:00 Report Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
September 4, 1996 St. Catharines Wolves 3–0 London City St. Catharines, Ontario
20:15 Report Stadium: CLub Roma Stadium
September 11, 1996 St. Catharines Wolves 2–0 Oakville Canadian Westerns St. Catharines, Ontario
20:15 Report Stadium: CLub Roma Stadium
September 13, 1996 Toronto Supra 2–0 Scarborough Astros Toronto, Ontario
19:35 Report Stadium: Lamport Stadium
September 15, 1996 Toronto Supra 1–0 London City Toronto, Ontario
15:05 Report Stadium: Lamport Stadium
September 25, 1996 St. Catharines Wolves 2–1 Toronto Italia St. Catharines, Ontario
20:15 Report Stadium: Club Roma Stadium
September 27, 1996 North York Talons 0–1 Toronto Supra North York, Ontario
21:00 Report Tony Tavares  68' Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium
Attendance: 30
Referee: Tony Martins
September 28, 1996 Oakville Canadian Westerns 2–1 Scarborough Astros Oakville, Ontario
17:00 Report Stadium: Sheridan College
September 29, 1996 Toronto Supra 1–1 St. Catharines Wolves Toronto, Ontario
15:05 Report Stadium: Lamport Stadium
September 29, 1996 Toronto Italia 3–1 North York Talons Vaughan, Ontario
17:00 Gioia  30',  89'
Maradona  51'		 Report Rohan Thomas  60' Stadium: Rainbow Creek Stadium
Attendance: 100
Referee: George Kelly
October 2, 1996 St. Catharines Wolves 3–2 Toronto Supra St. Catharines, Ontario
20:15 Report Stadium: Club Roma Stadium
October 6, 1996 North York Talons 0–1 Oakville Canadian Westerns North York, Ontario
15:00 Report Zajac  64' Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium
Attendance: 40
Referee: Isaac Mata
October 13, 1996 Toronto Supra 2–0 Oakville Canadian Westerns Toronto, Ontario
15:05 Report Stadium: Lamport Stadium
October 13, 1996 Toronto Italia 3–0 Scarborough Astros Vaughan, Ontario
16:00 Report Stadium: Rainbow Creek Stadium

All-Star game

The all-star team assembled by the league was limited in its selection of players due to St. Catharines, and Oakville protesting the allowance of their players. As St. Catharines earlier on participated in a European tour, and their players required the necessary rest.[7] Toronto Italia were selected as the opposition, and managed to attract Diego Maradona to play alongside his brother Lalo Maradona. The match was commemorated as the 75th anniversary of the league, and advertised as one of Diego Maradona's final matches.[16][17] The reported payoff to Maradona was $40,000 with Boca Juniors receiving a share due to ownership of player rights.[6] An additional $15,000 was charged if reporters wished to conduct an interview, and the league insured Maradona for five million dollars.[6]

CNSL All-Stars1–2Toronto Italia
Mella  18' Report
Attendance: 6500
Referee: Walter Kershner

Individual awards

The annual Canadian National Soccer League awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Princess Banquet Hall in Vaughan, Ontario with an attendance of 400 people.[21] The majority of the awards were received by Toronto Italia with eight recipients. After leading Toronto to an undefeated streak, and the double head coach Peter Pinizzotto was given the honor of Coach of the Year. Michele Gioia was named both the MVP, and Golden Boot winner consequently the following season he was signed by the Montreal Impact in the USISL A-League. For the second consecutive season Joe Ciaravino received the Goalkeeper of the Year, and also later was given a contract with the Toronto Lynx. The administrative branch of Toronto Italia was recognized with honors with Joe Mallozzi winning the Manager of the Year, and Pasquale Fioccola awarded the President of the Year.

Toronto Supra came in second with two awards with Gus Kouzmanis being named the Rookie of the Year. The Best Public Relations Director award was given to Sergio Giancola, who notably later was instrumental in acquiring a Major Arena Soccer League franchise in the GTA as the Mississauga MetroStars.[22] The remainder of the awards went to North York Talons as the Most Improved, and London City as the most Disciplined team. The Referee of the Year went to match official Manuel Orellana.

Award Player (Club)
CNSL Most Valuable Player Michele Gioia (Toronto Italia)
CNSL Golden Boot Michele Gioia (Toronto Italia)
CNSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award Joe Ciaravino (Toronto Italia)
CNSL Rookie of the Year Award Gus Kouzmanis (Toronto Supra)
CNSL Coach of the Year Award Peter Pinizzotto (Toronto Italia)
CNSL Manager of the Year Award Joe Mallozzi (Toronto Italia)
CNSL President of the Year Award Pasquale Fioccola (Toronto Italia)
CNSL Best Public Relations Director Award Sergio Giancola (Toronto Supra)
CNSL Referee of the Year Award Manuel Orellana
CNSL Most Improved Team Award North York Talons
CNSL Most Disciplined Team Award London City

References
  1. "Canadian National Soccer League 1993 to 1997" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  2. Adamson, Stan (April 1, 2019). "Isac Cambas Brought Soccer to the Portuguese Community". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 2019-08-24.
  3. McGill, Aldwyn. Aldwynable - Vintage Midget. Star Soccer Review. p. 88.
  4. "Our Story | Hamilton & District Soccer Association". hamiltonsoccer.net. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
  5. "Pro Soccer in London, Ontario". web.archive.org. 2001-05-02. Archived from the original on May 2, 2001. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  6. Gallagher, Danny (October 28, 1996). "Don't cry for him". Newspapers.com. The Kokomo Tribune. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  7. Glover, Robin (October 13, 1996). "CNSL game of Sunday October 13, 1996 between North York Talons and London City". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  8. "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.
  9. Jose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 227.
  10. "Canadian National Soccer League 1996 Season Summary | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  11. "Canada Soccer". canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  12. "Richard Alexander (1991-1994)". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  13. "Canada Soccer". www.canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  14. "Dino Perri - Men's Soccer Coach". McMaster University Athletics. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
  15. "CNSL Week 20 FINAL". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. October 14, 1996. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  16. Glover, Robin (September 2, 1996). "Special Exhibition between Toronto Italia plus Diego Maradona vs the CNSL All-Stars". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-08-23.
  17. "Maradona uncertain whether he'll play again". Newspapers.com. The Gazette. September 16, 1996. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  18. "John Bottineau (2015) - McMaster Athletics Hall of Fame". McMaster University Athletics. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
  19. "London Ontario Soccer News: Commisso ready to hang up boots". Retrieved 2019-08-22.
  20. "Richard Alexander (1991-1994)". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  21. Glover, Robin (November 8, 1996). "CNSL 75th Anniversary Annual Awards Gala". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  22. Armstrong, Laura (April 11, 2017). "Major Arena Soccer League expands to GTA | The Star". thestar.com. The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
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