Franco Spadafina

Franco Spadafina is a Canadian former soccer player who played the majority of his career within the Canadian soccer system.

Franco Spadafina
Personal information
Full name Franco Spadafina
Position(s) defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1996 Toronto Italia 34 (0)
1997–1998 Toronto Lynx 46 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Spadafina began his career with the Toronto Italia of the Canadian National Soccer League in 1994. In his first season with Italia he won a Double (association football) with the club. The club reached the finals of the Umbro Cup, but were defeated by St. Catharines Wolves. He re-signed with Italia for the 1995 season; his signing was announced with the unveiling of the Italia roster for the 1995 season.[1] The club failed to reach the postseason by finishing third in the standings, and finished fourth in the standings of the Umbro Cup tournament. The following season, he added a Treble (association football) to his resume by winning the Umbro Cup along with Playoff Championship.[2]

In 1997, Spadafina signed with expansion franchise the Toronto Lynx of the USL A-League, where he was reunited with his old Toronto Italia head coach Peter Pinizzotto. His signing was on April, 1997 in a press conference which revealed the club's roster for the 1997 season.[3] He made his debut for the club on April 12, 1997 in a match against the Jacksonville Cyclones which resulted in 3-1 defeat.[4] Spadafina assisted the club in qualifying for the post season for the first time in the franchise's history, by finishing 4th in the Northeastern division. The Lynx were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs against the Montreal Impact. In the first round playoff match he was ejected from the game, which was a 2-1 victory for Montreal.[5] He returned to the Lynx the following year where he appeared in 21 matches and scored 3 goals, but failed to make the post season by finishing second last in their division.

References
  1. Glover, Robin (July 2, 1995). "CNSL Rosters and Alumni". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  2. Glover, Robin (October 27, 1996). "CNSL game of Sunday October 27, 1996". Rocket Robin's Home page.
  3. Bailey, David (April 1997). "Toronto Lynx Roster 1997". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Canada Kicks.
  4. Abao, G. Warren (April 12, 1997). "Jacksonville Cyclones (1) 3:1 (0) Toronto Lynx". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  5. "Lets Get Physical". Rocket Robin's Home Page. Sports Report Service. September 6, 1997.
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