| Competition: | National Soccer League |
| Season: | 1992 |
| Shield: | Toronto Croatia |
| Shieldtitle: | League cup |
| League Topscorer: | Enver Sej |
| Best Goalkeeper: | Tony Camacho |
| Prevseason: | 1991 |
| Nextseason: | CNSL 1993 |
The 1992 National Soccer League season was the sixth ninth and final season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began May 8, 1992, with Richmond Hill Kick facing North York Atletico Argentina at Centennial Park Stadium.[1] The season concluded with Toronto Croatia securing the league double (NSL Championship and league cup).[2] [3] [4] Croatia would defeat the North York Atletico Argentina SC for the NSL Ontario Cup by a score of 2-1 at Centennial Park Stadium in Etobicoke, Ontario.[5]
The season marked the final usage of the National Soccer League banner and was changed to Canadian National Soccer League in 1993.[6] The change occurred due to the financial collapse of the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) and its merger with the National Soccer League.[7]
The majority of the teams returned for the season with the addition of Richmond Hill Kick.[8] The departing clubs were North York Strikers and Scarborough International. The playoff format was reinstated with the top four teams qualifying for the tournament.[9]
Toronto Italia was involved in several friendly matches with notable Italian clubs such as Inter Milan, and S.S. Lazio. Toronto initially faced Lazio on May 30, 1992, and later played against Inter Milan on June 5, 1992, both concluded in a losing effort.[10] [11]
In late 1992, reports of financial instability regarding the Canadian Soccer League were becoming apparent as several of the league's Ontario clubs were expressing a desire to join the National Soccer League.[12] The following season the Canadian Soccer League was suspended by the Canadian Soccer Association, and was amalgamated into the National Soccer League and became known as the Canadian National Soccer League.[13] [14]
| Team | City | Stadium | Manager | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London City | London, Ontario | Cove Road Stadium | Harry Gauss[15] | |
| Richmond Hill Kick | Richmond Hill, Ontario | Richmond Green Sports Centre | ||
| North York Atletico Argentina | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | Elio Garro[16] | |
| St. Catharines Roma | St. Catharines, Ontario | Club Roma Stadium | Tony Novacic[17] | |
| Toronto Croatia | Etobicoke, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | Vid Horvath | |
| Toronto Italia | Etobicoke, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | Ivan Marković[18] | |
| Toronto Jets | North York, Ontario | Esther Shiner Stadium | ||
| Windsor Wheels | Windsor, Ontario | Windsor Stadium | Waldir de Souza[19] | |
| Woodbridge Azzuri | Vaughan, Ontario | Rainbow Park Stadium | Peter Pinizzotto[20] |
St. Catharines won the series on away goals.
Woodbridge won the series 2–1 on aggregate.
Woodbridge won the series on a penalty shootout.
The recipients of the annual NSL awards were announced on October 5, 1990.[21] The Greater Toronto Area-based clubs would receive the majority of the accolades with Toronto Croatia winning the most. London City was the only club outside the Greater Toronto Area to receive any awards and was given two awards.
| Award | Player (Club) |
|---|---|
| NSL MVP | Velimir Crljen (Toronto Croatia) |
| NSL Golden Boot | Enver Sej (Richmond Hill Kick) |
| NSL Rookie of the Year | Tony Mazzoli (Toronto Jets) |
| NSL Goalkeeper of the Year | Tony Camacho (London City) |
| NSL Coach of the Year | Vid Horvath (Toronto Croatia) |
| NSL Manager of the Year | Zarko Brala (Toronto Croatia) |
| NSL Most Disciplined Team | London City |