2017 Canadian Soccer League season

The 2017 Canadian Soccer League season (known as the Givova Canadian Soccer League for sponsorship reasons) was the 20th season under the Canadian Soccer League name. The season began on May 26, 2017 and concluded on September 30, 2017 with the CSL Championship final. The season saw the York Region Shooters claim their third CSL Championship by defeating Scarborough SC in a penalty shootout. In the Second Division FC Ukraine United went home with their first CSL double after defeating Burlington SC in the finals. FC Ukraine became the second club in the Second Division after TFC Academy II in 2012 to go undefeated the entire regular season. While FC Vorkuta became the second expansion franchise in CSL history since the Ottawa Wizards in the 2001 season to claim the regular season title in their debut season.

Canadian Soccer League
First Division
Season2017
ChampionsFC Vorkuta (First Division regular season)
York Region Shooters (First Division playoffs, 3rd title)
Matches played56
Goals scored241 (4.3 per match)
Top goalscorerAleksandar Stojiljković (17)
Biggest home winSerbian White Eagles 8–1 Milton SC
(August 18)
Biggest away winMilton SC 1–7 York Region Shooters
(July 30)
Milton SC 1–7 Royal Toronto FC
(August 4)
Brantford Galaxy 2–7 FC Vorkuta
(August 26)
Brantford Galaxy 0–7 FC Vorkuta
(August 30)
Longest winning run5 matches
FC Vorkuta
Longest unbeaten run12 matches
Serbian White Eagles
2016
2018

Summary

The 2017 season was a highly competitive campaign particularly in the First division. The title was heavily contested between FC Vorkuta, Serbian White Eagles, and York Region Shooters. The outcome was determined on the final week of the regular season with Vorkuta claiming their first division title.[1][2] The divisional champions were an expansion franchise with a noted history at the amateur level around the York Region.[3]

Vorkuta relied on the Ukrainian soccer market for player recruitment, and hired the services of Serhiy Zayets as head coach.[4][5][6] Another source of talent acquisition came from FC Ukraine United's decision to relegate to the Second division, which allowed Vorkuta to acquire Ukraine United's key players.[7][8] The club's foray into the professional scene was instantly felt as they managed to obtain the first position in the first two weeks. The majority of the season they were situated in the top three, and produced an eight game undefeated streak.[9] They ultimately secured the title in the final two weeks, and reached the second stage of the postseason.[10]

The Serbian White Eagles entered the season as the defending champions with general manager Uroš Stamatović originally returning to manage the squad. Serbia retained their seasoned imports from Europe, while also rejuvenating the roster with graduates from their youth system.[11] Their on field performance prospered as the White Eagles began the season with a 12-game undefeated streak.[12][13] Their only defeat occurred in an away match while at home they remained undefeated and held the first position for seven consecutive weeks. A defeat to York Region dropped the Serbs to third, and concluded as runners up to Vorkuta by a single point. Unfortunately they failed to defend their championship after being eliminated by York Region in the semifinals.[14]

York Region Shooters were consistent challengers for the divisional title. The Vaughan based team preserved their veteran roster and continued their practice of acquiring additional talent from the Caribbean soccer market. They managed to hold the first position for three different occasions and held the third spot for the majority of the season. York Region continued their reputation as a solid defensive team and as a result secured the best defensive record. The Shooters were undefeated on the road and eventually finished third in the standings just two points away from the division title.[15] In the postseason the Shooters secured their third CSL Championship.[16]

The fourth position was secured by Scarborough SC as the eastern Toronto club developed into an elite team. Preparations for the season included the recruitment of Krum Bibishkov as a player-coach.[17] Scarborough added more depth to their roster by attracting further overseas talent.[18] The team achieved a five game undefeated streak towards the conclusion of the season and finished in the top four in best offensive and defensive records.[19] In the postseason Scarborough reached the championship final for the first time in its history.[20]

Brantford Galaxy secured a postseason berth by finishing fifth in the standings. The Galaxy primarily battled with Scarborough and fluctuated between the fourth and fifth positions. Saša Vuković was the change in the managerial structure and took the team to the first round of the playoffs.[21][22] The bottom section of the division featured Milton SC, Royal Toronto FC, and SC Waterloo Region. After competing in the Second division for the 2016 season Waterloo returned to the First division with former player Stefan Ristic managing the team. The club produced a mediocre season by finishing in seventh place tied with Milton in points only separated by a lower goal difference.

Royal Toronto FC an academy operated by former players Dario Brezak and Luka Majstorovic were granted a franchise in the league. The expansion franchise failed to produce sufficient results and finished at the bottom of the standings. FC Ukraine United decided to relegate themselves to the Second division for the 2017 season. The club continued in attracting seasoned imports from the Ukrainian soccer market and as result achieved a club milestone by producing their first perfect season in the league. The division witnessed the return of Burlington SC where they finished as runners up in the division and faced Ukraine United in the DII Championship final.

First Division

Changes from 2016

Since 2014 season the First Division has continued to be primarily based in the Greater Toronto Area, as Hamilton City SC and Toronto Atomic FC both failed to renew their membership for the 2017 season.[23] The additions of FC Vorkuta, and Royal Toronto FC were brought in as expansions.[24][25] While SC Waterloo Region were promoted to the First Division to bring the division back to 8 teams. While the Second Division saw an increase to 8 teams with the return of Burlington SC, and the relegation of FC Ukraine United.[26]

Teams

TeamCityStadiumManager
Brantford GalaxyBrantford, OntarioSteve Brown Sports ComplexSaša Vuković[27]
FC VorkutaNorth York, TorontoEsther Shiner StadiumSerhiy Zayets[28]
Milton SCMilton, OntarioJean Vanier StadiumJasmin Halkic[29]
Royal Toronto FCToronto, OntarioVarsity StadiumLuka Majstorovic[30]
Scarborough SCScarborough, Toronto, OntarioBirchmount StadiumKrum Bibishkov[31]
Serbian White EaglesEtobicoke, TorontoCentennial Park StadiumMilan Mijailović[32]
SC Waterloo RegionWaterloo, OntarioRIM ParkStefan Ristic[33]
York Region ShootersMaple, VaughanJoan of Arc Turf FieldTony De Thomasis[34]

Coaching changes

Team Outgoing coach Manner of
departure
Date of
vacancy
Position in table Incoming coach Date of
appointment
Serbian White Eagles Uroš Stamatović[35] Resigned July 7, 2017 1st in July Branislav Vukomanović (interim) July 7, 2017[36]
Serbian White Eagles Branislav Vukomanović (interim) end of interim period September 2017 2nd in September Milan Mijailović September 2017[32]


Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 FC Vorkuta (C) 14 10 2 2 43 13 +30 32 Playoffs
2 Serbian White Eagles 14 9 4 1 38 14 +24 31
3 York Region Shooters (O) 14 9 3 2 34 7 +27 30
4 Scarborough SC 14 7 3 4 37 17 +20 24
5 Brantford Galaxy 14 6 0 8 26 37 11 18
6 Milton SC 14 2 2 10 24 75 51 8
7 SC Waterloo Region 14 1 5 8 19 33 14 8
8 Royal Toronto FC 14 1 3 10 20 45 25 6
Updated to match(es) played on September 11, 2017. Source: canadiansoccerleague.ca
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner.

Positions by round

Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516
Brantford Galaxy2455444444454455
FC Vorkuta1122112222333211
Milton SC8888888888888666
Royal Toronto FC7777777777777888
Scarborough SC4644555555545544
SC Waterloo Region3566466666666777
Serbian White Eagles5333221111111322
York Region Shooters6211333333222133
Source:

Goals

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Aleksandar Stojiljković Scarborough SC 17
2 Sergiy Ivliev FC Vorkuta 13
3 Evan Beutler[37] York Region Shooters 7
4 Miroslav Čabrilo Brantford Galaxy 6
Scott Damion Tristan Milton SC
Kiril Dimitrov Scarborough SC
Đorđe Jočić Serbian White Eagles
Miroslav Jovanović Serbian White Eagles
Branislav Vukomanović Serbian White Eagles
5 Krum Bibishkov Scarborough SC 5
Kavin Bryan York Region Shooters
Oleg Shutov FC Vorkuta

Updated: September 11, 2017
Source: http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/2017-first-division-stats/

Hat-tricks

Player Club Against Result Date
Sergiy Ivliev FC Vorkuta Royal Toronto FC 5–1 (H) 17 June 2017
Alton Ellis York Region Shooters Milton SC 1–7 (A) 30 July 2017
Scott Damion Tristan Milton SC SC Waterloo Region 4–3 (H) 6 August 2017
Evan Beutler York Region Shooters Royal Toronto FC 5–0 (H) 18 August 2017
Aleksandar Stojiljković Scarborough SC Royal Toronto FC 3–3 (A) 27 August 2017
Aleksandar Stojiljković Scarborough SC Milton SC 7–0 (H) 2 September 2017
Aleksandar Stojiljković Scarborough SC Brantford Galaxy 5–0 (H) 8 September 2017

Quarterfinals

September 15, 2017 Serbian White Eagles 5–3 (a.e.t.) SC Waterloo Region Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto
19:00 Ivan Nikolic  5'
Luka Bojić  58'
Vukomanović  87'
Miroslav Jovanović  101'  114'
Report Jure Glavina  27'
Jure Glavina  45'
Ramon Bailey  70'
Attendance: 150
Referee: Tony Amaral
September 16, 2017 FC Vorkuta 6–3 Royal Toronto FC Ontario Soccer Centre, Vaughan
20:00 Kerchu
Ivliev
Shutov
Volodymyr Rudyi
Report Dario Brezak
Adrian Bembridge
Referee: Marco Jaramillo

York Region Shooters advanced to the semi-final as a result of a 3-0 forfeit.

Semifinals

September 22, 2017 Serbian White Eagles 1-2 York Region Shooters Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto
19:00 Ivan Nikolic  35' Report Hassan Abdulmumini  22'
Bryan  52'
Attendance: 300
Referee: Marco Jaramillo

CSL Championship

Second Division

Canadian Soccer League
Second Division
Season2017
ChampionsFC Ukraine United (Second Division regular season)
FC Ukraine United (Second Division playoffs, 1st title)
Matches played56
Goals scored290 (5.18 per match)
Top goalscorerTaras Hromyak (15)
Biggest home winFC Ukraine United 12–0 Serbian White Eagles B
(June 18)
Biggest away winRoyal Toronto FC B B 1–12 FC Ukraine United
(July 8)
Longest winning run7 matches
FC Ukraine United
Longest unbeaten run14 matches
FC Ukraine United
2016
2018

Teams

The Second Division increased to include eight teams in total.[26] Departing clubs included the disbandment of defending champions York Region Shooters B, Toronto Atomic FC B, and the promotion of SC Waterloo to the First Division. New entries included the return of Burlington SC, the relegation of FC Ukraine United, and the reserve squads of FC Vorkuta B, SC Waterloo B, and Royal Toronto FC B.[38]

TeamCityStadiumManager
Brantford Galaxy BBrantford, OntarioSteve Brown Sports ComplexTomo Dancetovic
Burlington SCBurlington, OntarioNelson StadiumBruno Giannotti
FC Ukraine UnitedToronto, OntarioCentennial Park StadiumAndrei Malychenkov[39]
FC Vorkuta BThornhill, OntarioSt. Roberts S.S
London CityLondon, OntarioHellenic Centre StadiumCedo Popovic
Royal Toronto FC BToronto, OntarioVarsity Stadium
SC Waterloo BWaterloo, OntarioRIM Park
Serbian White Eagles BToronto, OntarioCentennial Park StadiumMilos Scepanovic[40]

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 FC Ukraine United (C, O) 14 13 1 0 75 10 +65 40 Playoffs
2 Burlington SC 14 10 1 3 44 18 +26 31
3 FC Vorkuta B 14 8 0 6 41 25 +16 24
4 Brantford Galaxy B 14 7 1 6 29 35 6 22
5 Serbian White Eagles B 14 6 0 8 32 59 27 18
6 SC Waterloo B 14 5 1 8 26 39 13 16
7 Royal Toronto B 14 5 0 9 32 58 26 15
8 London City SC 14 0 0 14 11 46 35 0
Updated to match(es) played on September 7, 2017. Source: canadiansoccerleague.ca
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner.

Goals

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Taras Hromyak FC Ukraine United 15
2 Jerry Gbodume Royal Toronto FC B 7
Amardo Oakley[41] Burlington SC
4 Pavlo Lukyanets FC Ukraine United 6
5 Adriano Marques[42] Burlington SC 5
Aleksander Mitic[43] SC Waterloo Region B
7 Kiril Antonenko FC Ukraine United 4
Vitomir Jelic Serbian White Eagles B
Oleksandr Lakusta FC Vorkuta B
Adam Villella[44] Brantford Galaxy B

Updated: September 7, 2017
Source: http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/2017-second-division-stats/

Hat-tricks

Player Club Against Result Date
Pavlo Lukyanets FC Ukraine United Burlington SC 2–5 (A) 3 June 2017
Kiril Antonenko FC Ukraine United Brantford Galaxy B 10–0 (H) 11 June 2017
Taras Hromyak FC Ukraine United Serbian White Eagles B 12–0 (H) 18 June 2017
Taras Hromyak FC Ukraine United Royal Toronto FC B 2–12 (A) 8 July 2017
Pavlo Lukyanets FC Ukraine United Royal Toronto FC B 2–12 (A) 8 July 2017
Taras Hromyak FC Ukraine United FC Vorkuta B 1–4 (A) 16 July 2017
Taras Hromyak FC Ukraine United Brantford Galaxy B 1–5 (A) 29 July 2017
Taras Hromyak FC Ukraine United Serbian White Eagles B 1–6 (A) 4 August 2017
Sergiy Sergeyev FC Ukraine United SC Waterloo Region B 0–5 (A) 23 August 2017

Quarterfinals

September 17, 2017 FC Vorkuta B 5–0 SC Waterloo B St. Roberts S.S, Thornhill, Ontario
15:00 Svorak
Solonynko
Lakusta
Kris Kezic
Report

Semifinals

September 24, 2017 Burlington SC 4-1 FC Vorkuta B Burlington
12:00 Report

Second Division Championship

September 30, 2017 FC Ukraine United 5-2 Burlington SC Lamport Stadium, Toronto
14:00 Hromyak
Lukyanets
Pitsur
Falkovskyi
Report Brandon Wellington
Amardo Oakley
Referee: Javier Prior

References

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