1998 Canadian Professional Soccer League season

The 1998 Canadian Professional Soccer League season was the inaugural season under the Canadian Professional Soccer League name. The season began on May 31, 1998, and concluded on October 14, 1998, with the St. Catharines Wolves defeating the Toronto Olympians in 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout to claim the first CPSL Championship held at Centennial Park Stadium in Toronto, Ontario.[1] Though Toronto was denied the treble they still managed to go undefeated the entire regular season, and dominate the league with the best offensive and defensive record.

Canadian Professional Soccer League
Season1998
ChampionsSt. Catharines Wolves
Regular Season titleToronto Olympians
Matches played56
Goals scored270 (4.82 per match)
Top goalscorerGus Kouzmanis (Toronto Olympians)
Biggest home winToronto Olympians 12-0 York Region Shooters (September 27, 1998)
Biggest away winToronto Croatia 0-10 Toronto Olympians (August 19, 1998)
Highest scoringToronto Olympians 12-0 York Region Shooters (September 27, 1998)
1999 →

The CPSL was created by an alliance forged by the Ontario Soccer Association with the Canadian National Soccer League in order to implement the Image of the Game Report to provide a suitable professional soccer structure in Ontario and potentially throughout the country for the development of players and to serve as a preliminary league for the North American top tier leagues. During the initial stages of the formation of the league it faced certain difficulties as the schedule was finalized just two weeks prior kickoff. The scheduling problem revolved mainly around the status of Toronto Italia as it disagreed with the league's policy and territory rights.[2] Though they applied for membership it was challenged by Toronto Croatia over alleged debts being owned to them from the 1995 CNSL season. After refusing to pay the debt Italia withdrew and were refunded of its membership application fee, as a result the CPSL lost one of the country's most prestige clubs.[3] In addition the league received sponsorship from Adidas, Labatt, and Coffee Time.[4][5]

Overview

Origins and foundation (1993–98)

After the demise of the Canadian Soccer League in 1992 Canada was without a Division I national professional league. The Canadian soccer landscape was fractured into several different foreign and regional senior leagues. When the CSL ceased operations three of their clubs the Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto Blizzard, and Montreal Supra joined the American Professional Soccer League, which at the time was constituted as the highest tier league in the Canadian soccer structure.[6] While the remaining clubs with the exception of London Lasers joined the National Soccer League the country's oldest and only exclusively Canadian professional league.[7] After the addition of the Winnipeg Fury it changed its name to the Canadian National Soccer League.

Though the CNSL was primarily based in Ontario it operated as a private league for several years after a heated dispute with the Ontario Soccer Association.[8] While other provinces operated with a top senior amateur league Ontario had its own senior league, but was without a sanctioned professional league for its amateur players as the CNSL was considered an outlaw league by the OSA. As a result the OSA completed a study named the Image of the Game in 1995/1996, which led to the plans of launching the Ontario Professional Soccer League as a Division III league in the Canadian soccer league system.[9][10] As the OSA failed to bring their project to fruition they settled their differences with the CNSL and formed an alliance to launch the Canadian Professional Soccer League beginning with an Ontario division.[11]

The CPSL would serve as the link between the provincial senior leagues to the USL A-League/USISL clubs, and provide opportunities for the development of youth players and referees.[12][13] The intention of the league was to form regional divisions under the CPSL banner with each divisional champion competing in a playoff format for the championship. Michael Di Biase the CNSL president would serve as the commissioner, and OSA administrator Bill Spiers was named the league's chairman.[14] The founding members included four CNSL clubs London City, North York Astros, St. Catharines Wolves, Toronto Croatia, and four of the OPSL teams Glen Shields, Mississauga Eagles, Toronto Olympians, and York Region Shooters.[15] While the remaining CNSL teams like Toronto Italia, Toronto Supra, and Kosvo Albanians failed in successfully applying for membership.[16]

Regulations

The Canadian Professional Soccer League was formed as a result of merger between the OSA stillborn Ontario Professional Soccer League with the Canadian National Soccer League. The original purpose of the alliance was to provide young players an opportunity to embark on a professional career. Originally operated in Ontario with the intention of expanding nationally with a similar provincial setup. Some of these regulations included:[9][11]

  • Rosters must have 5 U-20 Canadian players per club.
  • Starting 11 must include a minimum of 2 U-20 players.
  • Minimum of a Coaching C License

Teams
TeamCityStadiumManager
Glen ShieldsVaughan, Ontario (Thornhill)Dufferin District FieldRon Harrison[17]
London CityLondon, Ontario (Westmount)Cove Road StadiumHarry Gauss[18]
Mississauga Eagles P.S.C.Mississauga, Ontario (Malton)Wildwood ParkJosef Komlodi[19]
North York AstrosToronto, Ontario (North York)Esther Shiner StadiumJorge Armua[20]
St. Catharines WolvesSt. Catharines, Ontario (Vansickle)Club Roma StadiumDino Perri[1]
Toronto CroatiaToronto, Ontario (Etobicoke)Centennial Park StadiumRudolf Belin[19]
Toronto OlympiansToronto, Ontario (Scarborough)Birchmount StadiumDavid Gee[21]
York Region ShootersAurora, Ontario (Aurora Village)Highland ParkSam Foti[22]

Final standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Toronto Olympians (C) 14 13 1 0 73 6 +67 40 Playoffs
2 St. Catharines Wolves (O) 14 8 3 3 31 26 +5 27
3 Glen Shields 14 6 3 5 26 27 −1 21
4 North York Astros 14 6 1 7 34 30 +4 19
5 York Region Shooters 14 5 2 7 30 44 −14 17
6 London City 14 4 3 7 27 42 −15 15
7 Mississauga Eagles P.S.C. 14 3 1 10 29 44 −15 10
8 Toronto Croatia 14 2 4 8 20 51 −31 10
Updated to match(es) played on September 30, 1998. Source: rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner.

Rogers Cup playoffs

Bracket
Semifinals Final
          
1 Toronto Olympians 5 2 7
4 North York Astros 1 0 1
1 Toronto Olympians     2 (2)
4 St. Catharines Wolves     2 (4)
2 St. Catharines Wolves 1 4 5
3 Glen Shields 1 0 1

Semifinals
October 4, 1998 North York Astros 1–5 Toronto Olympians Toronto, Ontario
7:30 ET Alejandro Martinez  86' (Report)
Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium
Attendance: 100
Referee: Glenn Sharkey (Ontario)
October 4, 1998 Glen Shields 2–1 St. Catharines Wolves Thornhill, Ontario
8:00 ET
  • Ionadi  20'
  • Angelo Donia  74' 
  • Peter Firebrace  77'
 (Report) Tony Carbonara  86' Stadium: Dufferin District Field
Attendance: 80
Referee: Steve Mortimer (Ontario)

Toronto Olympians advanced to the semi-final as a result of a 2-0 forfeit.

October 7, 1998 Toronto Olympians 2–0 North York Astros Toronto, Ontario
8:00 ET Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
October 12, 1998 St. Catharines Wolves 4–0 Glen Shields St. Catharines, Ontario
8:15 ET Stadium: Club Roma Stadium

CPSL Championship
Toronto Olympians2–2St. Catharines Wolves
Berdusco  58',  84' Report
  • Keith Moore  2'
  • Gary McGuchan  88'
Penalties
 2 – 4
Attendance: 80

Assistant referees:
Glenn Sharkey
Zack Kontoulis

Season statistics

Goals
Full article: CSL Golden Boot[27]
Position Player Nationality Club Goals
1 Gus Kouzmanis Canada Toronto Olympians 33
2 Eddy Berdusco Canada Toronto Olympians 19
3 Gong Lei China Toronto Olympians 17
4 Gary McGuchan Canada St. Catharines Wolves 15
5 Ivan Jurisic Serbia North York Astros 12
6 Carlo Arghittu Canada St. Catharines Wolves 12

Hat-tricks
Player Club Against Result Date
Ivan Jurisic North York Astros London City 7–0 (H) 2 August 1998
Gus Kouzmanis Toronto Olympians Toronto Croatia 10–0 (A) 19 August 1998
John Matas Toronto Olympians Toronto Croatia 10–0 (A) 19 August 1998
Peter Firebrace Glen Shields Sun Devils York Region Shooters 4–3 (H) 20 September 1998
Jerry Cipriani St. Catharines Wolves Toronto Croatia 4–3 (A) 23 September 1998
Gus Kouzmanis Toronto Olympians York Region Shooters 12–0 (H) 27 August 1998

CPSL Executive Committee

The 1998 CPSL Executive Committee.

Position Name Nationality
Chairman:Bill Spiers English
Commissioner:Michael Di Biase Canadian
Committee Member:Peter Li Preti Canadian
Committee Member:Walter Kircher Canadian
Committee Member:Brian Avey Canadian

Individual awards

The CPSL presented their inaugural team awards on December 18, 1998 at the Soccer Centre in Woodbridge, Ontario.[21] The majority of the awards were taken by the former CNSL teams with North York Astros, St. Catharines Wolves, and London City receiving four awards. While the Toronto Olympians with London City won the most awards with two wins. After leading the Olympians to an undefeated regular season David Gee was named the Coach of the Year. The regular season champions had Gus Kouzmanis the 1996 CNSL Rookie of the Year win the Golden Boot.[28] For the third straight season London City managed to produce another Rookie of the Year with Tom Bianchi, and win the Fair Play award for being the most disciplined team..

The remainder of the awards went to North York, and St. Catharines with former CNSL veterans Dino Perri, and Rene Martin taking home the Goalkeeper and MVP awards. The league also gave recognition to the best official by introducing the Referee of the Year award with Bill Teeuwen being its first recipient.

Award Player (Club)
CPSL Most Valuable Player Rene Martin (North York Astros)
CPSL Golden Boot Gus Kouzmanis (Toronto Olympians)
CPSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award Dino Perri (St. Catharines Wolves)
CPSL Rookie of the Year Award Tom Bianchi (London City)
CPSL Coach of the Year Award David Gee (Toronto Olympians)
CPSL Referee of the Year Award Bill Teeuwen
CPSL Fair Play Award London City

References
  1. Rogers, Alison. "A perfect ending". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  2. Bailey, David (1999-10-07). "Italia Pulls Out". Canada Kicks -- News Story. Archived from the original on 1999-10-07. Retrieved 2017-04-09.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. Bailey, David. "CPSL's Faltering First Steps". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Canada Kicks. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  4. Bailey, David. "CPSL Ready To Go". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Canada Kicks. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  5. Glover, Robin. "CPSL Press Conference Tuesday May 12, 1998". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  6. BROUSSEAU, Dave. "Toronto Joins Apsl". tribunedigital-sunsentinel. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  7. "History of Soccer in Ottawa, Canada & the World". 2012-02-07. Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2017-04-09.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. "2000 - Nov. 23 - Players, teams clamouring to be a part of Soccer League". 2001-05-30. Archived from the original on 2001-05-30. Retrieved 2017-06-03.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. Ault, Bill (1999-11-03). "Ontario's Own". Canada Kicks. Archived from the original on 1999-11-03. Retrieved 2017-04-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. "About the CPSL". 2001-04-19. Archived from the original on 2001-04-19. Retrieved 2017-04-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. Da Costa, Norman. "Canada to kick off pro league in May". Toronto Star.
  12. Ault, Bill (1999-10-23). "National Dream". Canada Kicks. Archived from the original on 1999-10-23. Retrieved 2017-04-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. "CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League". 2004-06-06. Archived from the original on 2004-06-06. Retrieved 2017-04-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  14. Hendren, Paul (1999-02-19). "CPSL Reincarnated - The OSA joins forces with renegade league to get new league rolling". Canada Kicks. Archived from the original on 1999-02-19. Retrieved 2017-04-08.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  15. Bailey, David. "Italia Back In?". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Canada Kicks. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  16. Bailey, David. "Italia Out Let's Get On With It". Canada Kicks.
  17. Glover, Robin (June 28, 1998). "North York Astros vs Glen Shields Sun Devils". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
  18. Glover, Robin (August 2, 1998). "North York Astros vs London City". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
  19. Glover, Robin (June 17, 1998). "Toronto Croatia vs Mississauga Eagles". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Rocket Robin's Soccer in Toronto. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
  20. "North York Astros Soccer Club Powered by Goalline Sports Administration Software". 2009-06-01. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  21. Bailey, David. "Canada Kicks -- News Story: CPSL Awards Night". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
  22. Glover, Robin (August 23, 1998). "North York Astros vs York Region Shooters". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
  23. "Canada Soccer". canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  24. "Ian Cardey (2015) - Hall of Fame". Winthrop University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  25. "Dino Perri". Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  26. "2000-01 OCAA MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - JOHN SOZIO". Ontario Colleges Athletic Association. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  27. "Canada Kicks - CPSL Update". 1998-12-05. Archived from the original on 1998-12-05. Retrieved 2017-04-09.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  28. Glover, Robin. "CNSL 75th Anniversary Annual Awards Gala". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
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