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1991 Canadian Soccer League season

The 1991 Canadian Soccer League season was the fifth season of play for the Canadian Soccer League, a Division 1 men's soccer league in the Canadian soccer pyramid.

Canadian Soccer League
Season1991
Dates
  • May 26 – September 8
    (regular season)
  • September 11 – October 6
    (playoffs)
ChampionsVancouver 86ers
Regular season leaderVancouver 86ers
Matches played112
Goals scored342 (3.05 per match)
Top goalscorerDomenic Mobilio (25)
Best goalkeeperPaolo Ceccarelli (1.05 GAA)
← 1990
1992 →

Format and changes from previous season

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Prior to the 1991 season, the league placed four franchises under suspension – Ottawa Intrepid, Edmonton Brick Men, Victoria Vistas, and London Lasers – due to financial difficulties.[1] Ultimately, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Victoria folded, while London requested a one-year leave of absence.[1] To avoid similar problems that the now defunct NASL had in its final year of operation, the league approved a $175,000 salary cap per team to further limit costs.[1]

In addition, CSL commissioner Dale Barnes retired in January after directing the league since its inception, with Hamilton Steelers owner, Mario DiBartolomeo, taking over the responsibilities on a temporary basis.[1] The league also approved a travel equalization plan that dramatically reduced costs for Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Nova Scotia.[1]

The Nova Scotia Clippers joined the league as an expansion franchise.[2] In addition, the Kitchener Spirit changed their name to the Kitchener Kickers following an ownership change.[3]

The league shifted to a single eight-team division, after previously operating two East and West geographical divisions since its inception, resulting in team's playing a balanced schedule for the first time in league history, playing each other clubs four times, twice at home and twice on the road.[1] The point system was also updated along with FIFA's change to 3–1–0 (win–draw–loss).[1] With the shift to a single division, the league reverted to six teams qualifying for the playoffs, with the top two finishers during the season receiving a bye to the semi-finals. The playoff format remained the same as the previous year.

Summary

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The regular season once again belonged to the Vancouver 86ers, who were only the second team to win 20 regular season games. In the playoffs, Vancouver won their fourth consecutive league title, defeating the Toronto Blizzard in the finals.

Regular season

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Vancouver 86ers (C) 28 20 4 4 69 31 +38 64 Playoff semifinals
2 Toronto Blizzard 28 14 6 8 57 33 +24 48
3 North York Rockets 28 13 9 6 50 36 +14 48 Playoff quarterfinals
4 Hamilton Steelers 28 14 4 10 42 38 +4 46
5 Montreal Supra 28 11 7 10 41 38 +3 40
6 Nova Scotia Clippers 28 7 7 14 29 53 −24 28
7 Kitchener Kickers 28 4 7 17 28 56 −28 19
8 Winnipeg Fury 28 4 6 18 26 57 −31 18
Source: Canadian Soccer History Archives 1991 CSL Stats
(C) Playoff Champion and qualification for the 1992 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

Playoffs

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The playoffs were conducted with a total points system. Teams earned two points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The team with the most points following the two-game series advanced. If the teams were tied on points, they played a 30-minute mini-game for a bonus point, followed by a penalty shootout if the mini-game remained tied.

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
1 Vancouver 86ers 1 2 3 PTS
4 Hamilton Steelers (a.e.t.) 0 4 (1) 2+1 PTS 4 Hamilton Steelers 1 1 1 PTS
5 Montreal Supra 3 0 (0) 2 PTS 1 Vancouver 86ers 5
2 Toronto Blizzard 3
2 Toronto Blizzard (a.e.t.) 2 1 (1) 2+1 PTS
3 North York Rockets 4 5 4 PTS 3 North York Rockets 0 2 (0) 2 PTS
6 Nova Scotia Clippers 0 1 0 PTS

Quarterfinal

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September 11, 1991 Montreal Supra 3–0 Hamilton Steelers Montreal, Quebec
Frank Aliaga   17'
Needham   74'
Pierre-Richard Thomas   90'		 [[4] Report] Stadium: Claude Robilliard Stadium
Attendance: 1423
September 15, 1991 Hamilton Steelers 5–0 (a.e.t.) Montreal Supra Hamilton, Ontario
Jason Gibbons  ,  
Ianiero  
Morris  
Aunger  		 [[5][6] Report] Stadium: Brian Timmis Stadium
Attendance: 2154

Hamilton Steelers won the series in extra time, after the series was tied 2-2 on points.

September 11, 1991 Nova Scotia Clippers 0–4 North York Rockets Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
[[7] Report] Majcher  
Carter  
Berdusco  
Radzinski  		 Stadium: Beazley Field
September 15, 1991 North York Rockets 5–1 Nova Scotia Clippers North York, Ontario
Majcher  ,  
Golen  
Commisso  
Radzinski   77'		 [[8] Report] Dwight Hornibrook   56' Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium
Attendance: 1605

North York Rockets won the series 4-0 on points.

Semifinal

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September 22, 1991 Hamilton Steelers 1–1 Vancouver 86ers Hamilton, Ontario
Ianiero   13' [[9] Report] Nocita   77' (o.g.) Stadium: Brian Timmis Stadium
Attendance: 4100
September 29, 1991 Vancouver 86ers 2–1 Hamilton Steelers Vancouver, British Columbia
Catliff   1', 21' [[10] Report] Ianiero   12' Stadium: Swangard Stadium
Attendance: 4431

Vancouver 86ers won the series 3-1 on points.

September 22, 1991 North York Rockets 0–2 Toronto Blizzard North York, Ontario
[[11] Report] Mitchell   25'
Eck   34'		 Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium
Attendance: 2650
Referee: Bob Sawtell
September 29, 1991 Toronto Blizzard 2–2 (a.e.t.) North York Rockets Etobicoke, Ontario
Mitchell   3'
Peschisolido   116'		 [[12] Report] Gastis   35'
Berdusco   65'		 Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium
Attendance: 2627
Referee: Luigi Mellino

Toronto Blizzard won the series in extra time, after the series was tied 2-2 on points.

Final

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October 6, 1991 Vancouver 86ers 5–3 Toronto Blizzard Vancouver, British Columbia
17:00 McKinty   ~1'
Norman   3', ?'
Catliff   48'
Mobilio   60' (pen.)		 [ Report Star[13] ]
[ Report Sun[14] ]		 Eck   26'
DiFlorio   ~61'
Hooper   ?'		 Stadium: Swangard Stadium
Attendance: 5692
Referee: Gord Arrowsmith

Statistics

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Top scorers

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Rank Player Club Goals
1 Canada  Domenic Mobilio Vancouver 86ers 25
2 Canada  Eddy Berdusco North York Rockets 14
3 Canada  John Berti Winnipeg Fury 12
4 Canada  Geoff Aunger Hamilton Steelers 10
United States  Ted Eck Toronto Blizzard
Poland  Marek Grabowski North York Rockets
Canada  Dale Mitchell Toronto Blizzard
8 United States  John Kerr Hamilton Steelers 9
9 Canada  Alex Bunbury Montreal Supra 7
Canada  Gino DiFlorio Toronto Blizzard
England  Justin Fashanu Toronto Blizzard
Canada  Doug Muirhead Toronto Blizzard
Reference:[1]

Top goaltenders

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Rank Player Club GAA
1 Canada  Paolo Ceccarelli North York Rangers 1.053
2 Canada  Pat Onstad Toronto Blizzard 1.062
3 Canada  Paul Dolan Vancouver 86ers 1.063
4 Canada  Dino Perri Hamilton Steelers 1.300
5 Canada  Pat Harrington Montreal Supra 1.320
Reference:[1]

Honours

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The following awards and nominations were awarded for the 1991 season.[1]

Awards

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Award Player Team
Most Valuable Player Canada  Domenic Mobilio Vancouver 86ers
Rookie of the Year Canada  Scott Munson Kitchener Kickers
Top Newcomer Poland  Marek Grabowski North York Rangers
Top Goaltender Canada  Paolo Ceccarelli North York Rangers
Fair Play Award Hamilton Steelers

League All-Stars

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Player Position
Canada  Paolo Ceccarelli (North York Rockets) Goalkeeper
Canada  Peter Sarantopoulos (North York Rockets) Defender
Canada  Mark Watson (Hamilton Steelers) Defender
Canada  Steve MacDonald (Vancouver 86ers) Defender
Canada  Norman Odinga (Vancouver 86ers) Defender
Canada  Carl Valentine (Vancouver 86ers) Midfielder
Canada  Dale Mitchell (Toronto Blizzard) Midfielder
Fiji  Ivor Evans (Vancouver 86ers) Midfielder
Canada  Eddy Berdusco (North York Rockets) Forward
Canada  Domenic Mobilio (Vancouver 86ers) Forward
Canada  Grant Needham (Montreal Supra) Forward

Reserves

Player Position
Canada  Paul Dolan (Vancouver 86ers) Goalkeeper
Canada  Paul James (Toronto Blizzard) Defender
Canada  Tony Nocita (Hamilton Steelers) Defender
Canada  Nick De Santis (Montreal Supra) Midfielder
United States  Ted Eck (Toronto Blizzard) Forward

Front office

Person Role
Italy  Fiorigi Pagliuso (North York Rockets) Head coach
Canada  Alan Errington (Vancouver 86ers) Assistant coach
Canada  Bob Lenarduzzi (Vancouver 86ers) General manager

Player of the Month

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Month Player Club
June Canada  Dino Lopez Nova Scotia Clippers
July Canada  Domenic Mobilio Vancouver 86ers
August Canada  Domenic Mobilio Vancouver 86ers
Reference:[1]

Player of the Week

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Week Player Club
1 Canada  Dino Lopez Nova Scotia Clippers
2 Canada  Dale Mitchell Toronto Blizzard
3 Canada  Pat Harrington Montreal Supra
4 Canada  Doug Muirhead Vancouver 86ers
5 Fiji  Ivor Evans Vancouver 86ers
6 Canada  Lyndon Hooper Toronto Blizzard
7 Canada  Peter Sarantopoulos North York Rockets
8 Canada  Paolo Ceccarelli North York Rockets
9 Canada  Norman Odinga Vancouver 86ers
10 Canada  Joseph Majcher North York Rockets
11 Canada  Domenic Mobilio Vancouver 86ers
12 Canada  Geoff Aunger Hamilton Steelers
13 Canada  Alex Bunbury Montreal Supra
14 Canada  Brett Pence Kitchener Kickers
15 Canada  Paul Peschisolido Hamilton Steelers
Reference:[1]

Average home attendances

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Pos. Team GP Total Attendance Average Attendance
1 Vancouver 86ers 14 64,107 4,579
2 Montreal Supra 14 39,112 2,794
3 Hamilton Steelers 14 35,369 2,526
4 Winnipeg Fury 14 32,096 2,293
5 North York Rockets 14 27,864 1,990
6 Toronto Blizzard 14 25,945 1,853
7 Nova Scotia Clippers 14 21,098 1,507
8 Kitchener Kickers 14 9,418 673
Total Attendance 112 255,009 2,277
Reference:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "1991 CSL Stats" (PDF). Canadian Soccer League.
  2. ^ "The Clip Show". Maritime Pro Ball. February 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "Team-by-team preview of Canadian Soccer League". Vancouver Sun. May 24, 1991. p. 40.
  4. ^ Phillips, Randy (September 12, 1991). "No-sex policy pays off; Celibate Supra win first playoff game in franchise history". Montreal Gazette. p. D12.
  5. ^ "Steelers advance to semifinals". The Province. September 16, 1991. p. A39.
  6. ^ Koep, Bob (September 16, 1991). "Rockets, Steelers advance to semis after CSL wins". Toronto Star. p. D8.
  7. ^ "Rockets, Supra win CSL playoff openers". Vancouver Sun. September 12, 1991. p. D8.
  8. ^ Koep, Bob (September 16, 1991). "Rockets, Steelers advance to semis after CSL wins". Toronto Star. p. D8.
  9. ^ Stinson, Dan (September 23, 1991). "Steelers come close to chipping one out of 86ers". Vancouver Sun.
  10. ^ Stinson, Dan (September 30, 1991). "Catliff propels 86ers to CSL final". Vancouver Sun. p. D1.
  11. ^ Koep, Bob (September 23, 1991). "Blizzard cool out Rockets in semifinal". Toronto Star. p. C6.
  12. ^ Koep, Bob (September 30, 1991). "Blizzard ousts Rockets to reach soccer final". Toronto Star. p. C6.
  13. ^ "Blizzard blown away by 86ers". Toronto Star. October 7, 1991. p. C9.
  14. ^ Stinson, Dan (October 7, 1991). "86ers make mark among dynasties". Vancouver Sun. p. D1.
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