Canadian Professional Soccer League
Season2000
ChampionsToronto Croatia
Regular Season titleToronto Olympians
Matches played56
Goals scored186 (3.32 per match)
Top goalscorerGus Kouzmanis (Toronto Olympians)
Best goalkeeperPiotr Libicz
Biggest home winToronto Olympians 8-0 London City (September 27, 2000)
Biggest away win
Highest scoringToronto Olympians 8-0 London City (September 27, 2000)
← 1999
2001 →

The 2000 Canadian Professional Soccer League season was the third season under the Canadian Professional Soccer League name. The season began on May 26, 2000 and concluded on October 1, 2000 with Toronto Croatia defeating Toronto Olympians 2-1 to claim their first CPSL Championship (known as the Primus CPSL Cup for sponsorship reasons).[1] The final was hosted at Cove Road Stadium for the first time.[2] Throughout the season, all eight clubs from the previous year returned, while the Olympians secured their third straight regular season title. The league received sponsorship from Primus Canada, which granted Primus naming rights to the CPSL Championship, and Vincent Ursini was appointed the CPSL Chairman.[3]

Teams

Team City Stadium Manager
Glen Shields Sun Devils Vaughan, Ontario (Thornhill) Dufferin District Field Dave Benning
London City London, Ontario (Westmount) Cove Road Stadium Jurek Gebczynski
North York Astros Toronto, Ontario (North York) Esther Shiner Stadium Rafael Carbajal[4]
Oshawa Flames Oshawa, Ontario (Vanier) Oshawa Civic Stadium Stan Bombino[5]
St. Catharines Wolves St. Catharines, Ontario (Vansickle) Club Roma Stadium Lucio Ianiero[6]
Toronto Croatia Toronto, Ontario (Etobicoke) Centennial Park Stadium Velimir Crljen[7]
Toronto Olympians Toronto, Ontario (Scarborough) Birchmount Stadium David Gee
York Region Shooters Richmond Hill, Ontario Richmond Green Bijan Azizi[8]

Final standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Toronto Olympians 14 12 1 1 45 9 +36 37 Qualification for Playoffs
2 St. Catharines Roma 14 12 1 1 31 19 +12 37
3 Toronto Croatia 14 9 1 4 36 17 +19 28
4 Glen Shields Sun Devils 14 5 3 6 26 30 −4 18
5 York Region Shooters 14 4 2 8 17 30 −13 14
6 North York Astros 14 3 2 9 17 29 −12 11
7 Oshawa Flames 14 2 3 9 22 35 −13 9
8 London City 14 2 1 11 12 45 −33 7
Updated to match(es) played on September 28, 2000. Source: http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/00cp0059.htm
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Primus Canada CPSL Championship playoffs

The top four teams qualified for a one-game semifinal that led to the championship game played on October 1 at Cove Road Stadium in London, Ontario.

Semifinals Final
      
1 Toronto Olympians 1
4 Glen Shields Sun Devils 0
1 Toronto Olympians 1
2 Toronto Croatia 2
2 St. Catharines Roma 1
3 Toronto Croatia 3

Wildcard

September 29, 2000 London City 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)		 Glen Shields Sun Devils London, Ontario
8:30 ET Michael Kubicki 58' (Report) Mike Glasgow 15' Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
Attendance: 400
Penalties
  • Chris Picanco soccer ball with check mark
  • Luan Jonuzi soccer ball with check mark
  • Gebczynski soccer ball with red X
  • Michael Kubicki soccer ball with check mark
  • Jeff Brown soccer ball with red X
  • Courtney Denis soccer ball with check mark
  • Craig Williams soccer ball with check mark
  • Sullivan soccer ball with check mark
  • Chris Steffanazzi soccer ball with check mark

Semifinals

September 30, 2000 Toronto Croatia 3–1 St. Catharines Roma London, Ontario
5:00 ET
  • Tomislav Granic 13'
  • Leo Marasovic 47'
  • Denny Draganic 81'
 (Report) Gary McGutchan 61' Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
Attendance: 100
September 30, 2000 Toronto Olympians 1–0 Glen Shields Sun Devils London, Ontario
7:00 ET Titus 31' (Report) Stadium: Cove Road Stadium
Attendance: 100

Primus CPSL Championship

Toronto Olympians1–2Toronto Croatia
Kouzmanis 92' Report
  • Josip Draganic 68'
  • Denny Draganic 80'
Cove Road Stadium, London, Ontario
Attendance: 250
Referee: Manuel Orellano (Ontario)

Assistant referees:
Steve Cahoon
Justin Pasev
Fourth official:
Ogi Panich

2000 scoring leaders

Full article: CSL Golden Boot[10]
Position Player's name Nationality Club Goals
1 Gus Kouzmanis Canadian Toronto Olympians 31
2 Leo Marasovic Canadian Toronto Croatia 13
3 Eddy Berdusco Canadian Toronto Olympians 12
4 Gary McGuchan Canadian St. Catharines Wolves 11
5 Carlo Arghittu Canadian St. Catharines Wolves 10
6 Jimmy Kuzmanovski Canadian Oshawa Flames 9
7 Paul Moore Canadian Toronto Croatia 9
8 Elvis Thomas Canadian Toronto Olympians 9
9 Frank Zumpano Canadian St. Catharines Wolves 8
10 John Matas Canadian Toronto Olympians 8

CPSL Executive Committee

The 2000 CPSL Executive Committee.[3]

Position Name Nationality
Chairman: Vincent Ursini Canada Canadian
Director of Operations: Chris Bellamy[11] Canada Canadian
Director of Discipline: Clifford Dell[12] Canada Canadian
Director of Officials: Tony Camacho Portugal Portuguese

Individual awards

The annual CPSL awards ceremony was held on October 1, 2000 after the CPSL Championship final at the German Canadian Club in London, Ontario.[13] Where for the second straight season the Toronto Olympians went home with the most awards with 3 wins.[1] Kouzmanis became the first player to win the Golden Boot more than once and continues to hold that distinction.[14] Olympian veteran Bayete Smith was named the Defender of the Year for his contribution for helping the club achieve the best defensive record. Their final award was their second straight Fair Play award for being the most disciplined team throughout the season.

The league chose former NPSL and USL A-League veteran Willy Giummarra of the York Region Shooters as its MVP. The Goalkeeper of the Year was given to Piotr Libicz, a former NPSL and CNSL veteran.[15] After managing the St. Catharines Roma Wolves to second place finish behind Toronto with only a lower goal differential Lucio Ianiero was chosen as the Coach of the Year.[16] Jimmy Kuzmanovski of the Oshawa Flames broke London City's four year hold on the Rookie of the Year award. For his efforts Steve Cahoon went home with the Referee of the Year award.

Award Player (Club)
CPSL Most Valuable Player Willy Giummarra (York Region Shooters)
CPSL Golden Boot Gus Kouzmanis (Toronto Olympians)
CPSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award Piotr Libicz (North York Astros)
CPSL Defender of the Year Award Bayete Smith (Toronto Olympians)
CPSL Rookie of the Year Award Jimmy Kuzmanovski (Oshawa Flames)
CPSL Coach of the Year Award Lucio Ianiero (St. Catharines Roma Wolves)
CPSL Referee of the Year Award Steve Cahoon
CPSL Fair Play Award Toronto Olympians

References

  1. ^ a b RUMLESKI, Kathy. "LFP Sports: Croatia bags Primus Cup by upsetting Olympians". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
  2. ^ "Canadian Professional Soccer League". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
  3. ^ a b Ursini, Vincent (2001-05-30). "2000 - Nov. 8 - Chairman's Report 2000". Archived from the original on 2001-05-30. Retrieved 2016-12-28.((cite web)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Welcome to the Official Oshawa Flames Professional Soccer Club Homepage". 2000-08-30. Archived from the original on 2000-08-30. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  6. ^ Potrecz, Bill (26 May 2000). "Roma Wolves ready to rebound from disappointing campaign: Strong pre- season stirs conviction last year was an aberration". St. Catharines Standard. pp. C3.
  7. ^ "Canadian Professional Soccer League". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  8. ^ "Canadian Professional Soccer League". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  9. ^ "Successful Diaspora Returnee Stories: Domagoj Šain, Data Domain, Korcula". www.total-croatia-news.com. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  10. ^ "Top Goal Scorers 2000". 2002-03-28. Archived from the original on March 28, 2002. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  11. ^ "Canada Soccer". canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  12. ^ "2001 - April 17 - Message from DOO; Volunteers; Dell". April 17, 2001. Archived from the original on November 8, 2001. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  13. ^ "CPSL announces finalists for this years awards". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  14. ^ "2000 - Awards Winners". 2002-03-28. Archived from the original on 2002-03-28. Retrieved 2017-06-03.((cite web)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  15. ^ "Banquet 2000". 2001-04-21. Archived from the original on 2001-04-21. Retrieved 2017-06-03.((cite web)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. ^ "Wolves' Ianiero named CPSL coach of the year". St. Catharines Standard. 3 October 2000. pp. C1.

External links

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