Dominick Zator
{{Short description|Canadian soccer player (born 1994)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Dominick Zator
|image = Dom Zator.jpg
|image_size = 225px
|caption = Zator in 2021
|fullname = Dominick Lukasz Zator{{cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/events/championship-match-live/?matchId=3166|title=Toronto FC vs York United|work=Canadian Soccer Association|date=September 22, 2021}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|9|18}}
|birth_place = Calgary, Alberta, Canada
|height = 1.89 m
|position = Centre-back, right-back
|currentclub = Korona Kielce
|clubnumber = 2
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 = CalGlen FC
|youthyears2 =
|youthclubs2 = Calgary Foothills
|collegeyears1 = 2012–2016
|college1 = Calgary Dinos
|collegecaps1 = 67
|collegegoals1 = 6
|years1 = 2015–2016
|clubs1 = Calgary Foothills
|caps1 = 22
|goals1 = 1
|years2 = 2017
|clubs2 = Whitecaps FC 2
|caps2 = 8
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2018
|clubs3 = Calgary Foothills
|caps3 = 14
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2019–2020
|clubs4 = Cavalry FC
|caps4 = 37
|goals4 = 2
|years5 = 2021–2022
|clubs5 = York United
|caps5 = 52
|goals5 = 2
|years6 = 2021
|clubs6 = → Vasalunds IF (loan)
|caps6 = 5
|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2023–
|clubs7 = Korona Kielce
|caps7 = 58
|goals7 = 1
|years8 = 2025–
|clubs8 = Korona Kielce II
|caps8 = 1
|goals8 = 0
|nationalyears1 = 2023–
|nationalteam1 = Canada
|nationalcaps1 = 3
|nationalgoals1 = 0
|club-update = May 27, 2025
|ntupdate = June 6, 2024
}}
Dominick Lukasz Zator (born September 18, 1994) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Ekstraklasa club Korona Kielce and the Canada national team.
Club career
=Early career=
Zator played for five seasons with the University of Calgary from 2012 to 2016.{{cite web|url=https://godinos.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4646|title=Dominick Zator - 2016 - Men's Soccer|website=godinos.com|publisher=University of Calgary Athletics}} While at university, Zator also appeared for USL PDL side Calgary Foothills FC in 2015 and 2016, during which time the club progressed to the 2016 PDL Championship.{{Cite web |url=http://www.uslpdl.com/dominick-zator |title=Dominick Zator - University of Calgary |website=uslpdl.com |publisher=USL PDL |accessdate=April 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415103948/http://www.uslpdl.com/dominick-zator |archive-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=dead }}
=Whitecaps FC 2=
Zator signed his first professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 of the United Soccer League on March 21, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/772398-pdl-standout-zator-joins-wfc2|title=PDL Standout Zator Joins WFC2|author=USLSoccer com Staff|date=21 March 2017|website=USL Championship}} Upon signing, Zator was described as "a modern day centre back with exceptional pace and athleticism" by Calgary Foothills coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.{{cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/wfc2/post/2017/03/21/scouting-report-dominick-zator-modern-day-centre-back|title=Scouting Report: Dominick Zator, a modern day centre back|website=whitecapsfc.com|publisher=Whitecaps FC 2|date=March 21, 2017}} In April 2017, Zator made his professional debut for Whitecaps FC 2 in a 3–0 win over Portland Timbers 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/wfc2/post/2017/04/08/wfc2-put-show-langley-defeat-seattle-3-0-earn-first-win-season|title=WFC2 put on a show in Langley, defeat Seattle 3–0 to earn first win of the season|website=whitecapsfc.com|publisher=Whitecaps FC 2|author=Farhan Devji|date=April 8, 2017}} He would spend one season with Whitecaps FC 2 before the club ceased operations after the 2017 season.{{cite web|url=http://aftn.ca/california-dreaming-goodbye-wfc2-hello-new-beginnings-the-ins-and-outs-of-the-whitecapsfresno-partnership/|title=California Dreaming: Goodbye WFC2, hello new beginnings – the ins and outs of the Whitecaps/Fresno partnership|website=aftn.ca|publisher=AFTN Canada|author=Michael McColl|date=October 14, 2017}} Zator would not be signed to a USL deal with the Whitecaps new affiliate, Fresno FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/usl/post/2017/12/04/whitecaps-fc-assign-three-players-usl-affiliate-fresno-fc|title=Whitecaps FC assign three players to USL affiliate Fresno FC|website=whitecapsfc.com|publisher=Vancouver Whitecaps FC|date=December 7, 2017}}
=Calgary Foothills=
Zator would return to Calgary Foothills for the 2018 PDL season.{{cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a6a669ea9db09c73d3353ae/t/5ad55167758d467a9e301f29/1523929450341/Dominick+Zator+Bio.png|title=Dominick Zator profile|website=Calgary Foothills FC|date=April 16, 2018}} He and the club won the PDL Championship that season, defeating Reading United in the final, with Zator scoring a goal in the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.totalsoccerproject.com/2018/08/calgary-foothills-fc-win-2018-pdl-championship/|title=Calgary Foothills FC win 2018 PDL championship|first=Stuart|last=Gradon|date=August 4, 2018}}
=Cavalry FC=
Zator signed for Cavalry FC on December 12, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/soccer/cavalry-fc-sign-four-young-local-talents/wcm/c469e0da-a98b-421e-a359-5d5c257893ca|title=Cavalry FC sign four young local talents|website=calgaryherald.com|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=December 12, 2018}} Zator played a key role for Cavalry as they won the spring season of the 2019 Canadian Premier League. Cavalry also found success in the Canadian Championship, defeating fellow Canadian Premier League sides Pacific FC and Forge FC in the first two rounds. Cavalry drew Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer in the third round and they battled to a 0–0 draw in Calgary in the first leg. In the second leg, in Vancouver, Zator scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory, helping Cavalry become the first Canadian Premier League team to defeat an MLS team and booking a ticket to the semifinals against the Montreal Impact in the process.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/recap-cavs-complete-historic-canchamp-upset-in-vancouver|title=Cavalry defeats Whitecaps to advance to CanChamp Semi-Finals|date=July 25, 2019|website=canpl.ca|publisher=Canadian Premier League|language=en-CA|accessdate=July 25, 2019}} Zator made 27 league appearances that season, scoring one goal, and also appeared in both legs of the Canadian Premier League Finals.
After a standout season, and training stints with RCD Mallorca and Ross County in the offseason, Zator extended his contract with Cavalry through 2020 on November 28, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/dominick-zator-returning|title=Dominick Zator – Returning in 2020|website=canpl.ca|publisher=Canadian Premier League|date=November 28, 2019|access-date=November 29, 2019|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205231042/https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/dominick-zator-returning|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/cpl-coaches-forced-to-prioritize-for-off-season-loans-more-players-than-opportunities|title=CPL coaches forced to prioritize for off-season loans: 'More players than opportunities'|website=Canadian Premier League|date=September 28, 2020}} He appeared in all ten matches of the shortened 2020 season for Cavalry, scoring one goal.{{cite web |title=D. Zator |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/dominick-zator/479540/ |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=26 January 2021}} On January 26, 2021, the club announced that Zator had declined a contract extension in order to explore free agency.{{cite web |author1=Marty Thompson |title=Dominick Zator, Jay Wheeldon highlight list of Cavalry FC departures |url=https://canpl.ca/article/dominick-zator-jay-wheeldon-highlight-list-of-cavalry-fc-departures |publisher=Canadian Premier League |access-date=26 January 2021 |date=26 January 2021}}
=York United=
File:York-united-dominick-zator.jpg in 2021|left]]
On February 1, 2021, Zator signed a two-year contract with York United.{{cite web |author1=Marty Thompson |title=Dominick Zator swaps Cavalry FC for York United on two-year deal |url=https://canpl.ca/article/dominick-zator-swaps-cavalry-fc-for-york-united-on-two-year-deal |publisher=Canadian Premier League |access-date=1 February 2021 |date=1 February 2021}} The following day, he was sent on a short-term loan to newly promoted Swedish Superettan side Vasalunds IF.{{cite web |author1=Marty Thompson |title=York United's Dominick Zator loaned to Swedish side Vasalunds IF |url=https://canpl.ca/article/york-uniteds-dominick-zator-loaned-to-swedish-side-vasalunds-if |publisher=Canadian Premier League |access-date=2 February 2021 |date=2 February 2021}} On June 1 he was recalled from his loan, amassing five appearances during his time in Sweden.{{cite web|url=https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/article/zator-and-hamilton-return-to-club-following-recent-loan-spells|date=June 1, 2021|title=ZATOR AND HAMILTON RETURN TO CLUB FOLLOWING RECENT LOAN SPELLS}} Zator made his debut for York in their season opener against his former club Cavalry FC on June 27.{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/canadian-premier-league-2021-cavalry-york-united/|first=John|last=Jacques|title=Familiar Issues Haunt York United In Loss To Cavalry|date=June 27, 2021|work=Northern Tribune}} He scored his first goal for York on July 8, netting the game-winner in a 2–1 victory over Valour FC.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/video/recap-dominick-zator-header-earns-york-united-2-1-victory-over-valour|date=July 8, 2021|first=Benedict|last=Rhodes|title=HIGHLIGHTS: Dominick Zator header earns York United 2-1 victory over Valour|work=Canadian Premier League}}
=Korona Kielce=
In December 2022, Zator joined Ekstraklasa club Korona Kielce on a contract through June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://korona-kielce.pl/artykuly/2022/94214-dominick-zator-pilkarzem-korony-kielce/|title=Dominick Zator piłkarzem Korony Kielce!|date=December 14, 2022}} He made his debut for his new club against Legia Warsaw on January 29, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://dziennikpolski24.pl/legia-warszawa-korona-kielce/rs/4139809261|date=January 29, 2023|title=Legia Warszawa 3 - 2 Korona Kielce - dziennnikpolski24.pl}} Zator scored his first goal for Korona Kielce on April 15 against Jagiellonia Białystok.{{cite web|url=https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2023/04/18/canadian-of-the-week-zator-flips-the-script-gilles-launches-lyon-to-win-david-reaches-milestone/|date=April 18, 2023|title=Canadian of the Week: Zator flips the script, Gilles launches Lyon win, David hits another milestone|work=Canadian Soccer Daily|first=Adam|last=Palermo}} In March 2024, Zator would sign a contract extension with Kielce, keeping with the club through June 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.korona-kielce.pl/w/dominick-zator-z-nowym-kontraktem-1|title=Dominick Zator z nowym kontraktem!|website=Korona Kielce|date=March 27, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Jacques |first=John |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Zator Extends Polish Stay Through To 2025 |url=https://northerntribune.ca/korona-kielce-dominick-zator-new-contract-2024/ |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=Northern Tribune |language=en-CA}}
International career
Born in Canada, Zator is of Polish descent.{{Cite web|url=https://aftn.ca/a-second-chance-how-the-cpl-breathes-new-life-into-the-pro-careers-of-cavalry-fc-players-dominick-zator-and-chris-serban/|title=A Second Chance – How the CPL breathes new life into the pro careers of Cavalry FC players Dominick Zator and Chris Serban – AFTN}} In November 2019, Zator was named to Canada's 23-man squad for a CONCACAF Nations League match against the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian-men-s-team-sticks-with-familiar-look-for-usa-rematch-1.1394752|title=Canadian men's team sticks with familiar look for USA rematch|website=tsn.ca|publisher=Bell Media|date=November 8, 2019|accessdate=June 11, 2020}}
In March 2023 Zator was re-called to Canada ahead of two CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Honduras and Curaçao.{{cite web|url=https://korona-kielce.pl/artykuly/2023/95710-dominick-zator-z-powolaniem-do-reprezentacji-kanady/|date=March 15, 2023|work=Korona Kielce|title=Dominick Zator z powołaniem do reprezentacji Kanady!}} In June 2023 Zator was named to the final squad contesting the Nations League Finals.{{cite web|title=Former CPLers Loturi, Zator called up by Canada for 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals|date=June 7, 2023|url=https://canpl.ca/article/canada-canmnt-2023-concacaf-nations-league-final-roster|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney|work=Canadian Premier League}} He did not make an appearance in the Semi-final or Final as Canada finished runners-up to the United States.{{cite web|url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/analysis-highlights-usmnt-claim-kings-of-concacaf-crown-as-canmnt-fall-flat|first=Alexandre|last=Gangué-Ruzic|work=OneSoccer|title=ANALYSIS + HIGHLIGHTS: USMNT claim Kings of Concacaf crown as CanMNT fall flat}}
The day after the Nations League Finals on June 19, Zator was named to the 23-man squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/canmnt-announces-final-23-man-squad-for-concacaf-gold-cup|date=June 19, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League|title=CanMNT announces final 23-man squad for Concacaf Gold Cup|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke}} He made his debut in the tournament opener against Guadeloupe on June 27, as a late substitute for Richie Laryea in a 2–2 draw.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/match-analysis-canada-stunned-by-late-equalizer-in-gold-cup-draw-vs-guadeloupe|date=June 27, 2023|title=MATCH ANALYSIS: Canada stunned by late equalizer in Gold Cup draw vs. Guadeloupe|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke|work=Canadian Premier League}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played April 12, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://ca.soccerway.com/players/dominick-zator/479540/|title=Dominick Zator profile|website=Soccerway}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Canadian Championship, Polish Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Calgary Foothills FC
|2015 |10 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | ||||
| 2016
|Premier Development League |12 | 1 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 2 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!22 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 | |
| Whitecaps FC 2
|2017 |USL |8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 0 | ||||
| Calgary Foothills FC
|2018 |Premier Development League |14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Cavalry FC
|2019 |27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 1 | ||
| 2020
|Canadian Premier League |10 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 2 | |
| rowspan="3"|York United
|2021 |Canadian Premier League |24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2022
|Canadian Premier League |28 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!52 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 2 | |
| Vasalunds IF (loan)
|2021 |5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Korona Kielce
|17 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 1 | |||
| 2023–24
|Ekstraklasa |34 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 0 | |||
| 2024–25
|Ekstraklasa |7 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!58 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 65 | 1 | |||
| Korona Kielce II
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!197 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 229 | 7 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played June 6, 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|Canada
|2023 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 3 | 0 |
Honours
Calgary Foothills
Cavalry FC
- Canadian Premier League (Regular season):
- Champions: Spring 2019, Fall 2019
- Canadian Premier League Finals
- Runners-up: 2019
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Dominick Zator}}
- {{Canada Soccer|6590}}
- {{Soccerway|dominick-zator/479540}}
{{Korona Kielce squad}}
{{Canada squad 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zator, Dominick}}
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Soccer players from Calgary
Category:Canadian people of Polish descent
Category:Calgary Dinos men's soccer players
Category:Calgary Foothills FC players
Category:Whitecaps FC 2 players
Category:York United FC players
Category:Korona Kielce players
Category:USL League Two players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:Canadian Premier League players
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Sweden
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Poland
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Poland