January 28, 2021 League 1 Ontario adds four new teams to Men's Division. League1 Ontario expands by four men's teams for 2021 the story on their site. Guelph United FC Scrosoppi FC (Milton) St Catharines Roma Wolves (returning to higher play for first time since 2013...the year CSL desanctioned and L1O started up...they fell through the cracks). Waterloo United (wonder what happened to 1812 Barrie?)
It was pointed out that it is four new teams 'so far'. I also noticed that Aurora FC is not listed as a returning team.
Outside the GTA ... but still in the GTHA or Greater Golden Horseshoe. As are all the teams, other than London and Windsor, unless I missed one. All these teams are in cities with GO train commuter service into Toronto. Progress for sure, but where are the Kingstons, Ottawas, Sudburys ... or even the Thunder Bays?
In the CPL-USports draft held on Friday, four players L1O players were selected. Four L1O grads picked in 2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft (league1ontario.com) 2019 (last year league played official games) had 16 teams. Drafted from 16th place team Ottawa South United was Tony Mikhael by Valour FC. OSU moved to the much closer PLSQ for 2020. Drafted from the 15th place Toronto Skillz FC were Chris Campoli and Danial Rafisamii (both midfielders and both chosen by York United FC). Reggie Laryea forward from powerhouse Sigma FC was chosen in the second round by Atletico Ottawa (I find it interesting that Forge FC passed with their two choices on Laryea when Sigma FC founder/head coach Bobby Smyrniotis who is now the head coach of Forge FC would know him quite well).
Ottawa just got finished leaving because they didn't like the five hour bus rides...10 hours roundtrip. They joined the PLSQ and play across the Ottawa River! Kingston lasted from 2014 to 2016. How are you going to transport teams from Sudbury and Thunder Bay down to play other teams? Every season, the Windsor (across the river from Detroit) vs Ottawa game was held at the Ontario Soccer Centre in the Toronto area to cut down on travel. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports19/19l1o077.htm
Sudbury to Toronto is slightly shorter than Ottawa to Toronto. And North Bay to Toronto is even shorter - about the same as Windsor to Toronto. But yeah good point, ... Thunder Bay isn't happening unless someone owns a big plane! I can see though that Ottawa might be better off playing elsewhere. I wasn't aware that were playing in the Quebec league. That's a long bus ride every week. Definitely progress!
Great story on Master's FA, the current L1O league champs (in that there was no 2020 season). 'Nobody has built this before': The incredible story of Master's FA's 2019 title (league1ontario.com)
I got to two games this weekend. Week 1 Saturday July 31st North Toronto Nitros (returning to the league) vs Masters FA (defending L1O champs and playing in Canadian Championship qualifying round against CPL York United FC) http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o020.htm Sunday August 1st Vaughan Azzurri (3 former players on CDN Gold Cup team) vs 1812 FC Barrie (first ever game) http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o021.htm
How could the York United FC Saturday be even better? Well they won their CPL game but one of their U-Sport draft picks scored and had an assist in League1 Ontario, Unionville Milliken SC won their Saturday night's game over Masters FA, York's first Voyageurs Cup foe. Hear UM head coach Peyvand Mossavat praise Christopher Campoli and Daniel Rafisami. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o024.htm
How could the York United FC weekend be even better? part 2 If you had a League1 Ontario post match interview with Woodbridge Strikers head coach Peter Pinizzotto and ask him about former youth players Isaiah Johnston and Lowell Wright. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o025.htm He also answers what it was like to coach Diego Maradona for the one time exhibition game when he played for Toronto Italia.
More League1 Ontario game reports from the weekend. I get the three coaches in the Credit River Cup competition to comments. North Mississauga SC vs Pro Stars FC and Sigma FC vs Blue Devils FC. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o022.htm http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o023.htm
Details of the Saturday August 14/21 L1O game between Masters FA and Darby FC played at L'Amoreaux Field in Scarborough. CPL team York United FC should be paying attention because of the huge confidence boost Masters got from scoring the game's lone goal late. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o027.htm Also Friday night's game between North Mississauga SC and Sigma FC which is now considered the first game of the Credit River Cup due to the organizer's exclusion of Pro Stars FC for being located in Brampton. (Hmm they were OK the last time this was held in 2019). http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o026.htm
Result and details of the August 20, 2021 League1 Ontario game between Darby FC and Vaughan Azzurri played at Whitby Soccer Dome. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o028.htm
Result of Sat Aug 28/21 League1 Ontario game between Sigma FC and Windsor TFC played at Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga. Also short interview with WTFC head coach Valter Cosenza. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o029.htm The 1812 FC vs Masters FA game in Brampton at 6:00pm was cancelled because of thunderstorms.
August 29, 2021 Result and details from the League1 Ontario game between Blue Devils FC and Guelph United FC played in Oakville. Also includes post game interview with Guelph head coach Keith Mason. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o030.htm
September 4, 2021 League1 Ontario result between Unionville Milliken SC and 1812 FC Barrie played result between played in Unionville at 6:30pm. first draft game report: http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o039.htm Also has post game audio from 1812 head coach Trever Guy about the season so far.
Results and details of the September 19, 2021 League1 Ontario game between North Mississauga SC and Scrosoppi FC played in Mississauga. Includes post game audio with Scrosoppi assistant coach Zak Zico Mahrady. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o040.htm
Result and details of the League1 Ontario game of Saturday September 11, 2021 between ProStars FC Brampton and FC London played at Victoria Park in Brampton. Also includes post game audio with FCL coach Michael Marcoccia. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o041.htm
Result and details of the September 12, 2021 League1 Ontario game between Woodbridge Strikers and Masters FA played at Vaughan Grove in Maple. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o042.htm
Six weeks and I've attended 15 games and now seen all 15 League1 Ontario Premier division teams at least once and have an interview with a head coach or assistant from each team. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o000.htm Thank you league, teams (players and staff), and game officials.
Result and details of the Friday September 17, 2021 League1 Ontario game between North Mississauga SC and Guelph United and played at the Paramount Centre in Mississauga. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o043.htm
Result and details of the League1 Ontario game of Sunday September 19, 2021 between Vaughan Azzurri and Woodbridge Strikers played at North Maple Regional Park in Maple. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o044.htm
Result and details of the League1 Ontario game of Friday September 24/21 between North Mississauga SC and Blue Devils FC played in Mississauga. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports21/21l1o045.htm