1980 National Soccer League (Canada) season

The decade ushered in a unique era in Canadian soccer as many attempts and proposals at forming a national major soccer league were executed throughout the 1980s. The first notable example occurred in 1980 when several investors presented a nationwide soccer league known as the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) to debut in 1981.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=May 29, 1980|title=Soccer promoters unveil grandiose plans|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/501442836/?terms=canadian%20soccer%20league&match=1|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Newspapers.com|publisher=The Province|page=16|language=en}} Before the commencement of any season the project initially debuted in a tournament known as the Red Leaf Cup, which featured teams from Europe and Brazil.{{Cite web|last=Wayne|first=Jamie|date=June 7, 1980|title=The goal for Canada: Second soccer league|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/512028706/?terms=canadian%20soccer%20league&match=1|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Newspapers.com|publisher=National Post|page=20|language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Mayoh|first=Rick|date=June 11, 1980|title=Top soccer teams set for Canadian series|page=35|work=Ottawa Citizen|url=|access-date=}}{{Cite news|last=Habib|first=Marlene|date=June 16, 1980|title=Varsity becomes 'battlefield' muring Red Leaf Cup soccer|page=S5|work=The Globe and Mail|url=|access-date=}} The planned Canadian Soccer League failed to materialize and the next attempt at creating a domestic national league successfully occurred in 1983.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=December 3, 1981|title=Another soccer league|page=10|work=Nanaimo Daily News|url=|access-date=}}{{Cite news|last=Konotopetz|first=Gyle|date=December 24, 1981|title=Proposed league has Rudi laughing|page=30|work=Calgary Herald|url=|access-date=}}

Meanwhile, the Ontario-centered National Soccer League (NSL) continued having a presence in Northern Ontario with Sudbury Cyclones representing the city of Sudbury, and an American representative from Upstate New York known as the Buffalo Blazers.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 11, 1980|title=Sports activities for everyone|page=75|work=National Post|url=|access-date=}}{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=March 25, 1980|title=In trouble|page=11|work=Nanaimo Daily News|url=|access-date=}} The membership in the league decreased to twelve clubs as the NSL lost its presence in Quebec, and Detroit, Michigan as the Montreal Stars, Detroit Besa, and Detroit Vardar departed. While the Hamilton Italo-Canadians requested a sabbatical and returned for the 1981 season. Buffalo was denied participation in the playoffs because of financial and player issues.{{Cite news|date=September 8, 1980|title=Playoff chances good after Cyclones win|page=13|work=Sudbury Star}}

A friendly tournament known as the Toronto International Soccer Cup was organized with Toronto First Portuguese and Toronto Panhellenic representing the NSL against S.L. Benfica, and Partizan Belgrade.{{Cite news|last=Kernaghan|first=Jim|date=June 24, 1980|title=Lisbon soccer star shuns America|page=F4|work=Toronto Star|url=|access-date=}} Benfica would win the tournament after defeating Partizan in the final.{{Cite news|last=Koep|first=Bob|date=August 5, 1980|title=Soccer fans get kick from Benfica|page=B2|work=Toronto Star|url=|access-date=}}

class="wikitable sortable" !Team !City !Stadium !Manager

Buffalo Blazers |Buffalo, New York |Lackwanna Stadium{{Cite news|date=May 11, 1980|title=Blazers Shut Out Sudbury|page=44|work=Buffalo Courier-Express}} |Carlo Del Monte{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=1981 Hamilton Steelers - Team of Distinction|url=http://hshof.ca/team/1981-hamilton-steelers/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924111521/http://hshof.ca/team/1981-hamilton-steelers/|archive-date=September 24, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021|website=}}

Bradford Marshlanders |Bradford, Ontario |Bradford Community Centre{{Cite news |date=7 May 1980 |title=They need support |work=The Bradford Witness |pages=4}} |Dave Reid{{Cite news |last=Bolender |first=Keith |date=26 March 1980 |title=Dave Reid is back for another year |work=The Bradford Witness |pages=9}}

London City |London, Ontario |Cove Road Stadium |

Serbian White Eagles |Toronto, Ontario |Lamport Stadium{{Cite news|last=Falldien|first=Jack|date=August 18, 1980|title=Cyclones blank Buffalo squad|page=9|work=Sudbury Star}} |Nikola Ivetić{{cite web |url=https://serbianwhiteeagles.ca/en/head-coaches/ |author=Serbian White Eagles FC |title=Head Coaches |access-date=2023-11-23 |date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123031110/https://serbianwhiteeagles.ca/en/head-coaches/ |archive-date=23 November 2023 |url-status=dead}}

Sudbury Cyclones |Sudbury, Ontario |Queen's Athletic Field{{Cite news|date=May 12, 1980|title=Sudbury Cyclones lose as Albuquerque scores|page=13|work=Sudbury Star}} |Gino Pacitto{{Cite news|last=Desilets|first=Peter|date=April 25, 1980|title=Cyclones will operate this season|page=10|work=Sudbury Star}}

St. Catharines Roma |St. Catharines, Ontario |Club Roma Stadium |

Toronto Croatia |Toronto, Ontario |Lamport Stadium |

Toronto Falcons |Toronto, Ontario |Lamport Stadium{{Cite news|last=Falldein|first=Jack|date=May 26, 1980|title=Cyclones lose, draw on weekend|page=13|work=Sudbury Star}} |

Toronto First Portuguese |Toronto, Ontario |Lamport Stadium{{Cite news|date=June 13, 1980|title=Cyclones off to Toronto|page=13|work=Sudbury Star}} |José Testas{{Cite web|last=MOURATO|first=SERGIO|date=February 18, 2017|title=Após cumprir missão da vida, 'Baixinho' quer morrer em paz sem dores – 416 NEWS TORONTO|url=http://416news.com/apos-cumprir-missao-da-vida-baixinho-quer-morrer-em-paz-sem-dores/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709170112/http://416news.com/apos-cumprir-missao-da-vida-baixinho-quer-morrer-em-paz-sem-dores/|archive-date=July 9, 2017|access-date=2017-07-09|website=416news.com|language=en-US}}

Toronto Italia |Toronto, Ontario |Lamport Stadium{{Cite news|date=August 9, 1980|title=Cyclones hurt, play tonight|page=13|work=Sudbury Star}} |Fiorigi Pagliuso{{Cite web|title=2018 Wall of Fame Induction|url=https://torontoazzurri.com/index.php/wall-of-fame/|url-status=live|access-date=January 2, 2022|website=torontoazzurri.com|page=17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102202314/https://torontoazzurri.com/index.php/wall-of-fame/ |archive-date=2022-01-02 }}

Toronto Panhellenic |Toronto, Ontario |Lamport Stadium{{Cite news|date=July 28, 1980|title=Loss and tie for Cyclones|page=11|work=Sudbury Star}} |Arthur Rodrigues{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=April 30, 1980|title=Abascal a la National Soccer League|page=10|work=El Popular|url=|access-date=}}

Toronto Ukrainians |Etobicoke, Ontario |Centennial Park Stadium |

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-2}}

{{Location map+|Canada Southern Ontario|width=400 |float=center|caption=Location of NSL teams outside of Toronto for the 1980 NSL season.
10px

|places=

{{Location map~|Canada Southern Ontario||lat=44.133333|long= -79.633333 |label=Bradford |position=left|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Southern Ontario||lat=42.904722 |long= -78.849444 |label=Buffalo |position=right|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Southern Ontario||lat=43.251389 |long= -79.830278 |label=Hamilton |position=left|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Southern Ontario||lat=42.9837 |long=-81.2497 |label=London |position=right|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Southern Ontario||lat=43.183333 |long= -79.233333|label=St. Catharines |position=right|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Southern Ontario||lat=46.49 |long= -81.01|label=Sudbury |position=bottom|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Southern Ontario||lat=43.64 |long=-79.42 |label=TORONTO |position=right|mark=Red pog.svg}}

}}

{{Col-2}}

{{Location map+|Canada Toronto|width=400 |float=center|caption=Location of NSL teams in Toronto for the 1980 NSL season.
10px

|places=

{{Location map~|Canada Toronto||lat=43.653611 |long=-79.584444 |label=Ukraina |position=right|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Toronto||lat=43.638889 |long=-79.423056 |label=Panhellenic |position=right|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Toronto||lat=43.653611 |long=-79.584444 |label=Toronto Croatia |position=top|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Toronto||lat=43.638889 |long=-79.423056 |label=Falcons |position=top|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Toronto||lat=43.638889 |long=-79.423056 |label=First Portuguese |position=bottom|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

{{Location map~|Canada Toronto||lat=43.653611 |long=-79.584444 |label=Toronto Italia |position=bottom|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

}}

{{Col-end}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL

|res_col_header=Q

|winpoints=2

|team1=FAL|name_FAL=Toronto Falcons

|team2=POR|name_POR=Toronto First Portuguese

|team3=ITA|name_ITA=Toronto Italia

|team4=PAN|name_PAN=Toronto Panhellenic

|team5=LON|name_LON=London City

|team6=STC|name_STC=St. Catharines Roma

|team7=BAD|name_BAD=Bradford Marshlanders

|team8=BUF|name_BUF=Buffalo Blazers

|team9=UKA|name_UKA=Toronto Ukrainians

|team10=SUD|name_SUD=Sudbury Cyclones

|team11=CRO|name_CRO=Toronto Croatia

|team12=SER|name_SER=Serbian White Eagles

|win_FAL=18|draw_FAL=3|loss_FAL=1|gf_FAL=45|ga_FAL=14|status_FAL=C

|win_POR=16|draw_POR=5|loss_POR=1|gf_POR=71|ga_POR=15

|win_ITA=14|draw_ITA=6|loss_ITA=2|gf_ITA=63|ga_ITA=16

|win_PAN=11|draw_PAN=9|loss_PAN=2|gf_PAN=38|ga_PAN=14|status_PAN=O

|win_LON=11|draw_LON=3|loss_LON=8|gf_LON=49|ga_LON=25

|win_STC=8|draw_STC=4|loss_STC=10|gf_STC=29|ga_STC=26

|win_BAD=7|draw_BAD=5|loss_BAD=10|gf_BAD=31|ga_BAD=58

|win_BUF=8|draw_BUF=2|loss_BUF=12|gf_BUF=33|ga_BUF=49

|win_UKA=5|draw_UKA=3|loss_UKA=14|gf_UKA=22|ga_UKA=56

|win_SUD=3|draw_SUD=6|loss_SUD=13|gf_SUD=27|ga_SUD=40

|win_CRO=4|draw_CRO=3|loss_CRO=15|gf_CRO=21|ga_CRO=55

|win_SER=1|draw_SER=3|loss_SER=18|gf_SER=14|ga_SER=75

|col_Q=#ACE1AF|text_Q=Qualification for Playoffs

|col_D=red1|text_D=Ineligible for Playoffs{{refn|group=note|Buffalo Blazers failed to meet the necessary requirements to compete in the playoffs}}

|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q|result5=Q|result6=Q|result7=Q|result8=D|result9=Q

|class_rules=1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

|update=September 30, 1980

|source=

}}

{{reflist|group=note}}

===Finals===

{{Football box collapsible

| round =

| date = October 6, 1980

| time =

| team1 = Toronto Panhellenic

| score = 1–0

| report = [{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 6, 1980|title=Panhellenic takes soccer cup|page=S8|work=The Globe and Mail|url=|access-date=}} Report]

| team2 = St. Catharines Roma

| goals1 = John Stravropoulos {{goal}}

| goals2 =

| penaltyscore =

| penalties1 =

| penalties2 =

| stadium = Lamport Stadium

| location = Toronto, Ontario

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

The cup tournament was a separate contest from the rest of the season, in which all twelve teams took part. All the matches were separate from the regular season, and the teams were grouped into two separate divisions. The two winners in the group stage would advance in a two-legged match final for the Cup.

===Finals===

{{Football box collapsible

| round =

| date = September 3, 1980

| time =

| team1 = Toronto Italia

| score = 2–0

| report = [{{Cite news|last=Campbell|first=Neil A.|date=September 8, 1980|title=Commercials anger fans during Italia's 2-0 victory|page=S6|work=The Globe and Mail|url=|access-date=}} Report]

| team2 = Toronto Falcons

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| penaltyscore =

| penalties1 =

| penalties2 =

| stadium = Lamport Stadium

| location = Toronto, Ontario

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

{{Football box collapsible

| round =

| date = September 7, 1980

| time =

| team1 = Toronto Falcons

| score = 0–2

| report = [ Report]

| team2 = Toronto Italia

| goals1 =

| goals2 = Mike Burke {{goal|37}}, {{goal|60}}

| penaltyscore =

| penalties1 =

| penalties2 =

| stadium = Lamport Stadium

| location = Toronto, Ontario

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

• [https://www.rsssf.org/usadave/cnsl.html RSSSF CNSL page]
• [https://thecnsl.com/1980-2/ thecnsl.com - 1980 season]

{{Canadian National Soccer League}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:National Soccer League 1980 Season}}

Category:1980–81 domestic association football leagues

National Soccer League

1980