Master's FA
Master's Futbol Academy, commonly known as Master's FA, is a Canadian semi-professional soccer club based in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario. The club was founded in 2009 as a soccer academy and added its team in the semi-professional League1 Ontario, the third tier in the Canadian soccer league system.
Full name | Master's Futbol Academy |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Saints |
Founded | 2009 |
Stadium | L'Amoreaux Park Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario |
Owner | Junior Groves |
Manager | Rick Titus |
League | League1 Ontario |
2019 | League1 Ontario, 4th Playoffs: Champions |
Website | Club website |
The club was one of the ten original founding men's teams in League1 Ontario, which was established in 2014. Their team initially competed under the name Master's FA Saints.[1]
History
In 2009, Master's Futbol Academy was founded by Junior Groves.[2] In 2014, the semi-professional club was established to play in the newly formed League1 Ontario as one of the founding members.[3][4] They were one of the three Ontario Soccer Association Recognized Non-Club Academies permitted to enter a team in the league, along with ANB Futbol and Sigma FC.[5] The club played their debut match on May 31, 2014 against the Cataraqui Clippers, winning 3–0.[6]
Their most successful season came in 2019, when they won the 2019 League1 Ontario playoffs, defeating FC London 4–1 in the finals.[7] This victory qualified the club for the Canadian Championship for the first time in 2020.[8][9] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their participation was shifted to the 2021 Canadian Championship.[10]
Seasons
Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | League Cup | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | League1 Ontario | 9 | 5–2–9 | 7th | – | Group stage | [11] |
2015 | 12 | 1–3–18 | 12th | – | Group stage | [11] | |
2016 | 16 | 3–2–17 | 8th, Eastern (16th) | Did not qualify | Runner-up | [11] | |
2017 | 16 | 9–3–10 | 5th, Eastern (9th) | Did not qualify | Quarter-finals | [11] | |
2018 | 17 | 4–7–5 | 10th | Did not qualify | Quarter-finals | [11] | |
2019 | 16 | 9–3–3 | 4th | Champions | – | [11] | |
2020 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[12] | ||||||
Notable former players
Honours
- League1 Ontario Championship (1): 2019
References
- Meertins, Tyrrell (May 29, 2014). "Introducing Master's FA". League1 Ontario.
- "History of Master's Futbol Academy". Master's FA.
- "Ontario launches provincial semi-professional men's league". Canadian Soccer Association. April 8, 2014.
- "OSA announces League1 Ontario teams". Ontario Soccer Association. April 8, 2014. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014.
- Hayakawa, Michael (April 10, 2014). "Vaughan to field 2 teams in inaugural soccer league". Vaughan Citizen.
- Meertins, Tyrrell (June 2, 2014). "Master's FA Saints 3 - Cataraqui Clippers 0". League1 Ontario.
- Vanderhoeven, Paul (September 28, 2019). "FC London battles to the finish in League1 championship loss to Scarborough Masters". The London Free Press.
- Jacques, John (September 28, 2019). "Master's Futbol Academy Wins League1 Ontario For The First Time". Northern Tribune.
- "12 teams from four leagues to contest 2020 Canadian Championship". Sportsnet. December 18, 2019.
- Thompson, Marty (June 16, 2020). "Masters FA moved from amended 2020 CanChamp, will play in 2021 edition". League1 Ontario.
- "League1 Ontario Historical Standings Men's Division". Canadian Soccer History Archives.
- "League1 Ontario cancels Fall season plans for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions". Canadian Premier League. September 4, 2020.