1982 National Soccer League (Canada) season explained
The 1982 National Soccer League season was the fifty-ninth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May, 1982 and concluded in late October 1982 with the NSL Championship final where Hamilton Steelers successfully defended their title against Toronto Italia in a two-legged series final.[2] [3] Toronto Italia would still achieve a double by producing an undefeated streak to claim the regular-season title and the NSL Cup by defeating St. Catharines Roma.[4] [5]
The season also marked the final time when the NSL would operate a franchise in the United States.
Overview
As reports of a potential Canadian national soccer league were becoming more imminent as an alternative to the American based North American Soccer League (NASL) two rival parties the Canadian Major Soccer League (CMSL) and the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) were attempting to receive sanctioning from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and were competing for national sponsorship.[6] [7] [8] The CMSL attempted to recruit the Ontario-based National Soccer League (NSL) to the discussions to deploy the NSL as the league's eastern affiliate.[9] In December, the CPSL was officially announced and set to debut for the following season with two NSL clubs Hamilton Steelers and Toronto Croatia under the name Mississauga Croatia being granted franchises.[10] [11] [12] The CMSL on the other hand received provisional sanctioning from the CSA in January 1983.[13] After failing to secure any national sponsorship the CMSL failed to make its debut.[14]
The number of teams within the NSL remained the same as the previous season except for the departure of Toronto Ukrainia.[15] The amount remained as ten teams as a new entry that represented the Latin American community in the Greater Toronto Area known as Dinamo Latino was granted an NSL franchise.[16] [17] Near the conclusion of the season, the league lost its presence in the United States when Detroit Besa withdrew from the competition.[18] [19] A notable friendly tournament sponsored by the Labatt Brewing Company featured European teams such as Celtic F.C.and Dinamo Zagreb against Toronto Italia and Toronto Panhellenic.[20] [21] Toronto Italia managed to upset Celtic with a defeat but ultimately was defeated by Zagreb in the finals.[22] [23] [24] Former league president Joe Piccininni returned to his former post and attempts of a television deal with MTV were announced in hopes of broadcasting league matches.
Teams
| Team | City | Stadium | Manager |
|---|
| Bradford Marshlanders | | | |
| Detroit, Michigan | Keyworth Stadium | |
| Dinamo Latino | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | Pedro Kozak |
| Hamilton Steelers | Hamilton, Ontario | Brian Timmis Stadium | Kevin Grant |
| London City | London, Ontario | Cove Road Stadium | |
| St. Catharines Roma | St. Catharines, Ontario | Club Roma Stadium | |
| Toronto Croatia | Etobicoke, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | |
| Toronto, Ontario | | |
| Toronto First Portuguese | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | |
| Toronto Italia | Etobicoke, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | Carlo Del Monte |
| Toronto Panhellenic | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | |
|
Coaching changes
Playoffs
Finals
References
- News: Woolsey. Garth. September 22, 1982. We're No.1 in local soccer Italia boss says. D12. Toronto Star.
- Book: Jose, Colin. On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. 2001. Vaughan, Ontario. 117.
- News: McGee. William. October 25, 1982. New-look Steelers take soccer crown. S8. The Globe and Mail.
- Web site: 1982 NSL Season. canadiansoccerleague.ca.
- News: September 20, 1982. Soccer crown in grasp, Italia gets set to party. D9. Toronto Star.
- Web site: Panzeri. Allen. December 31, 1982. Television plans for soccer league. 2020-12-28. Newspapers.com. Edmonton Journal. 43. en.
- Web site: Lawton. James. November 19, 1982. Pro soccer: Made in Canada. 2020-12-28. Newspapers.com. Vancouver Sun. 29. en.
- News: Wilson. Jack. November 23, 1982. CSA sanction still major hurdle for new league to overcome. 18. Red Deer Advocate.
- Web site: Knack. Marty. June 25, 1982. Sprouting a national soccer league. 2020-12-28. Newspapers.com. Edmonton Journal. 76. en.
- Web site: Panzeri. Allen. December 8, 1982. Pro soccer back for another crack. 2020-12-28. Newspapers.com. Edmonton Journal. 72. en.
- News: December 8, 1982. Soccer league names its first five franchises. F10. Toronto Star.
- Book: Huntley, E.J.. 73 Days - The Story of the Canadian Professional Soccer League 1983.
- Web site: Wilson. Jack. January 13, 1983. Doubt cast over pro soccer scene. 2020-12-28. Newspapers.com. Red Deer Advocate. 15. en.
- Web site: Wilson. Jack. March 26, 1983. Mothballs instead of soccer balls. 2020-12-28. Newspapers.com. Red Deer Advocate. 12. en.
- Web site: Litterer. David A.. June 7, 2013. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation - Canadian National Soccer League. 2020-12-29. RSSSF.
- News: January 20, 1982. Dinamo Latino Quiere Ser un Club Completo. 10. El Popular.
- News: March 31, 1982. Futbol Hispano es Bienvenido en la NSL: Joe Piccinnini. 10. El Popular.
- News: August 18, 1982. Tabla de Posiciones National Soccer League. 12. El Popular.
- Web site: 2019-05-21. 1982 Season. 2020-12-28. The Canadian National Soccer League. en.
- News: Krivel. Peter. July 13, 1982. Glasgow Celtic highlights entries in soccer tourney. E5. Toronto Star.
- News: Campbell. Neil A.. July 14, 1982. Soccer tourney comes at right time. S2. The Globe and Mail.
- News: Koep. Bob. July 17, 1982. Italia pulls off big upset by putting boot to Celtic. D1. Toronto Star.
- News: Koep. Bob. July 19, 1982. Italia no pushover for Dinamo. B1. Toronto Star.
- News: Campbell. Neil A.. July 19, 1982. Good effort not enough for Italia. S2. The Globe and Mail.
- News: April 21, 1982. Espero Triunfar en el Dinamo y la NSL. 12. El Popular.
- News: July 21, 1982. Rehabilitador Triunfo del Dinamo Latino Sobre London City 2-1. 11. El Popular.
External links
