League 1 Ontario 2017--Week 22

[Rocket Robin]

Result and details of the Saturday September 23, 2017 League 1 Ontario game
between Sigma FC and Sanjaxx Lions played at Hershey Centre Indoor at 4:00pm.

7 min...Sigma Giuliano Frano GOAL...Sigma Kadell Thomas chips 20 yarder
from slight left and Frano flicks header from 6 yards over goalie
Tayjon Campbell in middle to left side of net.

18 min...Sigma Kadell Thomas GOAL...Sigma Daniel Jodah low cross
from 20 yards on right has Thomas in middle at 7 yards shoot ball over
goalie into right side of the net.

34 min...Sigma Daniel Jodah GOAL...Sigma is tapped back a pass by Sigma
Davie Velastegui and blasts 22 yarder from the far right into the top left
corner of net.

35 min...Sigma David Velastegui GOAL...The Sanjaxx goalie makes a sprawling
save on Velastegui's shot from 12 yards. Velastegui then blasts
the 8 yard rebound into the open net.

52 min...Sigma Kadell Thomas GOAL...Sigma Johnny Grant charges forward
on right to get to cross and runs forward and sends low 22 yard cross
from end line that has Thomas pound in 3 yarder in middle.

54 min...Sigma Kadell Thomas GOAL...Thomas in middle shoots 15 yarder
forward and sprawling goalie gets piece of at 6 yards but deflects
ball into right side of net.

58 min...Sigma David Velastegui is pulled down in SJ box and is awarded
a Penalty kick.

60 min...Sigma David Velastegui blasts Penalty kick to right and
goalie Tayjon Campbell flies to push ball wide right of post
for cornerkick.

91 min...Sigma Kadell Thomas GOAL...Sigma Mike Matic receives pass
at 15 yards in middle is stopped by sprawling goalie. Thomas then
sends in 5 yarder into empty net.

Final Score:.....Sigma FC......7.....Sanjaxx Lions.....0.....

Attendance was about 65 all sitting in a balcony overlooking
the field. This game had been scheduled to be at this indoor
facility quite a while ago (so I was told after I got there)
because of planned renovations to the outdoor field. The field #1
was torn up last weekend and today it had about 50% of the
replacement field installed. An underpad (very similar to what
would be under an indoor carpet) that fit together like a jigsaw
puzzle and then segments of turf to go on top of that which
still needed to be stretched to the edges. I walked over
to Field #2 where last week's game was held but their was already
a game on with one of Sigma's youth teams. Actually I was glad
it was moved indoors because this weekend we're having a heatwave
that's more severe than any we had in July or August. So just
walking the length of seven extension cords (that's how long
the field #1 back to the dressing room and across another
parking lot left me soaked and melting so it was good
to get inside.

The field size is regulation (they don't use the hockey rink)
and has a swimming pool, gymnasium and museum (Jason Spezza
and Paul Coffey hockey shirts on display). Some of the padding
is missing on the steel beams at field level but no one
ran into them.

Referee Hassane Rifai called a water break in each half anyway.
He only gave out one Yellow card. That was to Sanjaxx's
Fabio Vilaca for a tackle on Jelani Smith at 44 minutes which
put him out of the game after the trainer spent some time with
him. Jerome Smith subbed for him—the same as last week when
he was a halftime sub for him. Sigma players mostly passed
around so much they were too fast to catch.

Kadell Thomas scored four games in this game. I thought
he looked the best in last week's game against Pro Stars FC
too but he was mostly putting in crosses for teammates from
the wing. Today's game he put him as forward with Daniel Jodah.

I thought the Lions goalie Tayjon Campbell played well but
he had little clearance protection for any rebounds
he let out. His best moment was when he saved David Velastegui's
Penalty kick.

Triston Henry and Baj Mann shared the shutout for Sigma.
Mann came into the game at 78 minutes. Neither goalie had
much to do. Mann was born in 2000 and was the youngest player
on the team today. This was his L1O debut.  L1O action
should look good on a resume.  Field player Hilli Goldhar
was another 2000 but he was a late scratch as the eighth
sub and the team had to whittle a name off their gamesheet
before game time.

This was only the fourth time I'd seen Sanjaxx this season
and first time since the beginning of July. Their record
isn't good but the best thing they've done for me as a fan
(and other fans and league and club officials I talked to)
were change their main kits to navy numbers on white shirts
(instead of yellow numbers on white which was very difficult
to see). They didn't have a long bench and only subbed
in two players. I was waiting for new player David James
(no not the retired Liverpool goalie but a former CPSL player)
but he didn't get into the game.

So now we know that the answer to my question "Where's
Mo Babouli?" I asked last week when his name wasn't on the
Sigma roster and the answer "Trying out in Europe"
was correct. He signed with Syrian team Al-Ittihad.
(OK I just consider that country as part of Asia).
I've read he was born in United Arab Emirates and his
Wikipedia page backs that up but says he is Syrian-Canadian.
The country is still involved in a civil war so I don't
know how safe conditions are.

The win for Sigma improves their record to 14 wins, 1 loss,
4 ties for 46 points. They are in second place in the
Eastern Conference and close to 3 points behind
Oakville Blue Devils (before OBD's game on Sunday).

Sanjaxx record falls to 4 wins, 13 losses, 3 ties
for 15 points. That leaves them in seventh place in the eight team East.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
twitter @RocketRobin01
 

[Rocket Robin]

Result and details of the Saturday September 23, 2017 League 1 Ontario game
between North Mississauga Panthers vs Toronto FC III played
at Hershey Centre #2 at 8:30pm.

22 min...TFC Luca Petrasso GOAL...TFC Daniel DaSilva rushes pass by sliding
goalie Adam Majer at 10 yards on right. He rescues ball near the end line
and centers to Petrasso who shoots 12 yarder in the center between defenders
into the left corner of the net about 5 feet high.

43 min...NMP Jonathan Jebbison GOAL...Jebbison recovers ball and eludes
goalie Gianluca Catalano and slots shot between two defenders from 12 yards
into right side of net.

64 min...TFC Luca Petrasso GOAL...TFC Zakaria Abdi on right crosses
to Petrasso who taps in 6 yarder to open net. The NMP defenders were
playing for an offside call that never came.

80 min...TFC Luca Petrasso GOAL...Petrasso gets to loose ball on left
at 25 yards for tight angle low shot from far left into right corner
of net.

84 min...TFC Luca Petrasso GOAL...TFC Riley Ferrazzo run on left and
centers cross for TFC Zakaria Abdi to blast 12 yards up middle is stopped
by sprawling goalie and Petrasso blasts 7 yarder from right post over
fallen goalie into open net.

89 min...TFC Zakaria Abdi GOAL...TFC Dante Campbell centers pass to Abdi
who threads 20 yard shot into right corner of net from left.

Final Score:..North Mississauga Panthers...1...Toronto FC III...5..

Attendance was about 80 on this very hot and humid night. It was
a relief from the midday sun as it was dark already.

Referee Lukasz Kowalewski gave out four Yellow cards (three to NMP
players). Sliding tackle, tripping (TFC got that one), clipping,
sliding tackle, then the roughest from NMP Agustin De Medina-Fernandez
for his tackle on Dante Campbell that required a trainer at 70 minutes.
Kowalewski used that opportunity and Petrasso's first goal at 22 minutes
to call a water break so no momentum was lost.

The game was quite even in the first half with chances for both teams
except I'd say Petrasso's first goal was the first shot actually
on goal. The full time training of TFC proved decisive, as it does
in most games, with them pulling away. OK last Sunday's game against
first place Oakville was a rare exception with them not able to hold
onto a two goal lead.

Toronto FC II of the USL did not play this weekend...they will
on Wednesday night. Midfielder Dante Campbell 'moved down' to play
with TFC III for at least this game. He was a III regular earlier
this season. Even newer pro signings--defenders Rocco Romeo 'down'
for this game and Noble Okello (who's never moved up to have a II
game yet) were here tonight. Three II players 'moved up' to the MLS
team in New England tonight. Forwards Jordan Hamilton and Ben Spencer
and midfielder Tsubasa Endoh were all on the bench. Hamilton was the
only of the three used when he came in at 68 minutes.

Four goals for Luca Petrasso was pretty impressive. Hmm I wonder
if he'll get a pro contract soon? I watched his brother
Michael Petrasso play through the TFC Academy in 2011 and saw him
on the Canadian National team at BMO Field earlier this month
against Jamaica. I mentioned this to TFC III coach Danny Dichio
after tonight's game. I said it was a good thing that TFC didn't
burn any bridges with the family as look how well Luca is doing
(although it was a different group running the team back then)
for how Michael left the team. Dichio said he gets along fine
with the family and still is in contact with Michael because
he went to his old team, Queens Park Rangers!

I could have gone to the Pro Stars FC vs Windsor TFC Stars game
that started nearby one hour earlier but thought Windsor would
come the five hours to the GTA with a short roster as they have
for the last few games. I looked at my phone and found Pro Stars
won 1-0 for their first win of the season in their twentieth game
of the season. Oh they scored at 90 +3 minutes! Oh, Oh, Windsor
played with ten men the entire game! Nope the game I chose was
the better entertainment.

The result drops North Mississauga's record to 9 wins, 10 losses,
2 ties for 29 points. They stay in fifth place in the eight
team Western Conference.

The win improves TFC III's record to 12 wins, 4 losses,
and 3 ties for 39 points. They are in third place in the West.
Their 67 goals scored is the best in the league
(by Saturday night).

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
Twitter @RocketRobin01
 

[Rocket Robin]

Result and details of the Sunday September 24, 2017 League 1 Ontario game
between Vaughan Azzurri vs Ottawa South Union Force played
at McNaughton Turf at in Maple at 3:00pm.

1 min...VA Mario Kovacevic GOAL...VA Jarek Whiteman flicks tap over
pass to Kovacevic who blasts 12 yarder down middle into middle of net
over sliding goalie Luc Rowlands.

9 min...VA Ryan Raposo GOAL...Raposo on a give and go play with
Mario Kovacevic inside the OSUF box at 12 yards and finishes
with 6 yard shot.

17 min...VA Ryan Raposo GOAL...Raposo makes short run down left then
cuts along 18 yard line and shoots 18 yarder through screen
of defenders and teammates into left side of net.

43 min...VA Jarek Whiteman GOAL...VA Christopher Mannella rolls pass
forward from 25 yards for VA Mario Kovacevic who taps ball left for
Whiteman to blast 12 yarder that deflects off defender and with goalie
diving to right the ball flies into left side of net.

57 min...VA Ryan Raposo GOAL...VA Christopher Mannella on right taps
short pass over to Raposo in middle and he shoots 20 yarder to left
side of net past flying goalie.

68 min...VA Zachary Zitoli GOAL...VA Jarek Whiteman backheels a pass
to Zitoli who dribbles and shoots 15 yarder on left into right
corner of net.

86 min...VA Christopher Mannella GOAL...VA Joseph Di Chiara passes
ball from 25 yards on right. Mannella turns and shoots low 20 yard
blast into right side of net.

89 min...VA Jospeh Di Chiara GOAL...Di Chiara receives pass on right
and low 22 yard blast is into left corner of net.

Final Score:...Vaughan Azzurri...8...Ottawa South United Force...0...

Attendance started at 1 as I was the only one there for the national
anthem but picked up to about 25 by the end of the first half.
This was an extremely hot and humid day—not just for September but
compared to any day in July and August. Something like 33.6 C with
a heat index of 40 C made it the hottest day of the year in the GTA.

Referee Filip Dujic gave out no cards in this game but proved popular
by arranging a water break in each half. With the game being put out
of reach so early, he did not add any time at the end of each half.
Only OSUF went back to their dressing rooms at halftime.

OSUF brought only three subs. All but two players were under 23s
on the original game sheet although there were four write-ins added
before game time so I'm not sure of their ages. The team names look
unrecognizable from when I saw them almost exactly one month ago.
Most of the game was played in the OSUF end.

Ryan Raposo scored three goals. That's seven goals in only nine
goals since he started playing for L1O from the end of June and
only the last six games that he's been a starter. He returned from
the Canada Games this summer at age 18 after being named Top Player
and part of the gold medal Team Ontario.

Jarek Whiteman's one goal means he leads the league with 26 markers.
Maybe it's unfair for me to say he had an off game but he had many
more chances and shot or headed off target that he winced when
later chances went astray. He leads the league at 1763 minutes
(league games) played this season.

Chris Mannella was back playing for Vaughan after a trip to Spain.
Things didn't go so well as one team were willing to sign him but
not pay him until December. Another team expected him to work full
time as well as play. I'd say the new Can Prem league can't start
soon enough for him.

Shyon Gaaeni earned the shutout for Vaughan (born 1999). He made
a few routine stops. The defenders cleared some big rebounds
at the very beginning but OSUF never had enough guys up front
to threaten all but long shots.

The win improves Vaughan's record to 15 wins, 5 losses, 1 loss
for 46 points. They take over first place in the Eastern Conference
for a few hours anyway until Woodbridge Strikers play tonight.
Their eight goals this afternoon moves them into a tie with TFC III
for first in goals scored with 67.

The loss drops the OSUF record to 6 wins, 12 losses, 1 tie
for 19 points. They are in six place in the eight team East.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
twitter @RocketRobin01
 

[Rocket Robin]

Result and details of the Sunday September 24, 2017 League 1 Ontario game
between Woodbridge Strikers and Aurora FC played at Vaughan Grove
in Woodbridge at 7:00pm.

7 min...Woodbridge Luca Baldassarre GOAL...WS Christian Cavallini runs
towards center from right and makes short pass to Baldassarre in middle
and 10 yard shot to right side of net over flying goalie Matthew Peres.

22 min...Woodbridge Christian Cavallini GOAL...WS Dylan Carreiro long
cross down middle finds Cavallini on right at 20 yards. He dekes defender
then dekes sliding goalie at 8 yards on right post and shoots tight
angle shot between another defender and short-side post.

37 min...Woodbridge Luca Baldassarre GOAL...Aurora Max Ferrari can't
get away shot cutting across WS box from right has has shot on left
blocked. WS player makes long clearance. Baldassare receives ball
at Aur 35 yard line and runs to 25 yards on left and rolls ball past
sliding goalie at 15 yards and ball tucks into right corner of net.

64 min...Aurora Max Ferrari wins Penalty kick from referee Mike Stuart
for being tackled inside box on right end line.

65 min...Aurora Petros Vaslos blasts Penalty kick low and wide left
of net with goalie Quillan Roberts not having to move.

72 min...Woodbridge Emmanuel Issac GOAL...WS Damion Graham runs up
left and centers pass and Issac blasts low 12 yarder into center
of net with goalie trapped on left post.

Final Score:...Woodbridge Strikers...4...Aurora FC...0...

Attendance was about 80 on this hot and humid evening with the sun
already below the treeline.

Referee Mike Stuart gave out three Yellow cards (two to Woodbridge)
and two of those were for a pushing incident at 45 minutes between
AFC Basel Rashrash and WS Michael Krzeminski. He arranged for a water
break in both halfs which is unusual in a game once it's dark but this
turned out to be the hottest day of the year in the GTA yet it's the
Fall already. 

The Woodbridge defence of Quante Abbott-Hill-Smith, Michael Fayehun,
Kyle Watson, and Michael Krzeminski limited Aurora's chances. Aurora
tried to shake things up at halftime with three subs but it didn't
make a difference. Strikers has the best defence in the league by only
allowing 18 goals against in 20 league games.

Quillan Roberts earned the shutout for the Strikers without having
much to do. He missed last week's game away on a tryout in Nevada.
There wouldn't be anything to add to his highlight reel tonight
because he wasn't challenged. The Penalty kick was not on net
so even a direct chance didn't test him.

Strikers Stephen Almeida and Joshua Paredes-Procter were both
suspended for this game.

I was waiting to see  Isaiah Johnston who scored for Woodbridge
in last week's game at age 15 but he wasn't on the game sheets.
I actually wondered if he was a ball boy tonight as there were
a group of boys on the sidelines that stayed the first half but
they disappeared. I saw 'soccer dad' in the parking lot after the
game and he said Johnston was playing for one of the Woodbridge
youth teams today. There were games going on all over the complex
when I got there. Soccer dad's own son Ronaldo Marshall came
on at 83 minutes.

Both teams used the league game sheets that list suspended players
but don't give the players year of birth but just whether they are
U-23 or not. Aurora were all U-23 except for captain Petros Vasilos.

The win improves Woodbridge's record to 14 wins, 2 losses, 4 ties
for 46 points. They pull into a tie for first in the Eastern
Conference with Vaughan Azzurri who won a few hours earlier but
Strikers have one game in hand.

Aurora's record falls to 2 wins, 15 losses, 2 ties for 8 points.
They are in eighth (last) in the East.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
twitter @RocketRobin01