SC Waterloo Region
{{short description|Canadian association football team}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = SC Waterloo Region
| image = Waterloo SC.png
| upright = 0.7
| alt = Emblem of SC Waterloo
| fullname = Soccer Club Waterloo Region
| founded = {{Start date and age|2011|paren=yes}} (as KW United FC)
| dissolved = {{Start date and age|2020|paren=yes}}
| stadium = RIM Park
Waterloo, Ontario
| capacity =
| chrtitle = President
| chairman = Tony Kocis
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager =
| league = Canadian Soccer League
| season =
| position =
| website = http://www.scwaterloo.ca/
| current =
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}}
SC Waterloo Region was a Canadian soccer team based in Waterloo, Ontario. The club competed in various divisions in the Canadian Soccer League. The club was formed in 2011 under KW United FC and initially competed in the league's second division. The following year, the organization's name was changed to SC Waterloo Region, and it was promoted to the league's first division. While the first team played in the first division, Waterloo would at times operate a reserve squad in the second division.
Within a short time, Waterloo enjoyed a string of successes within the league. Their biggest achievement came in the 2013 season after winning the CSL Championship. Their second appearance in the championship finals was in 2015, where they finished as runners-up. In 2016, Waterloo voluntarily relegated itself to the second division and secured the divisional title. Their stay in the second division was short-lived, and they played the remainder of their existence in the league's top division. Once the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in 2020, Waterloo ceased operating a team in the league.
History
In 2011, professional soccer returned to the Kitchener-Waterloo region since 1991 when the Kitchener Kickers competed in the original Canadian Soccer League. The team owners Tony Kocis and Vojislav Brisevac served as the club president, team manager, and secured a deal with Jako to sponsor the club. The club was named Kitchener-Waterloo United FC and began play in the Canadian Soccer League Second Division.{{Cite web|url=http://www.therecord.com/sports/local/article/529476--kitchener-waterloo-united-fc-gets-ready-for-debut |title=TheRecord - Kitchener-Waterloo United FC gets ready for debut |last=Bryson |first=Mark |date=2012-02-04 |access-date=2016-08-28 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204070342/http://www.therecord.com/sports/local/article/529476--kitchener-waterloo-united-fc-gets-ready-for-debut |archive-date=2012-02-04 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports11/11csl013.htm|title=March 19, 2011 CSL--Kitchener In CSL Second Division-CSL clubs invite players to tryouts (from CSL web site)|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|access-date=2016-08-28}} The team's original venue was located at Budd Park. In their debut season, United finished fourth in their division and secured a postseason berth.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kitchenerpost.ca/sports/united-fc-on-hot-streak/ |title=United FC on hot streak {{!}} Your online newspaper for Kitchener, Ontario |date=2012-05-13 |access-date=2016-08-28 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513002043/http://www.kitchenerpost.ca/sports/united-fc-on-hot-streak/ |archive-date=2012-05-13 }} At the conclusion of the season Ryan Pumier received the Goalkeeper of the Year award.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports11/11csl198.htm|title=November 15, 2011--Toronto Croatia's Tihomir Maletic MVP For Second Year...Annual Award Winners Announced Sunday (from CSL website)|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|access-date=2016-08-28}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports11/11csl197.htm|title=November 14, 2011 CSL--CSL Awards 2011 (by Rocket Robin)|last=Glover|first=Robin|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|access-date=2016-08-28}}
The following season the club was renamed SC Waterloo Region in order to strengthen ties with youth club Waterloo Minor Soccer Club, and was promoted to the CSL First Division.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports12/12csl004.htm|title=December 20, 2011--It's A New-Look and Elevated Team From Waterloo For The Upcoming 2012 Campaign (from CSL website)|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|access-date=2016-08-28}} Their home venue was moved to University Stadium, and part owner Lazo Džepina with coaching credentials from Europe and the CSL assumed head coach responsibilities.{{Cite web|url=http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/2605968-sc-waterloo-region-joins-canadian-soccer-league-first-division/|title=SC Waterloo Region joins Canadian Soccer League first division|last=Record|first=The|website=www.therecord.com|access-date=2016-08-28}} Džepina's recruitment of players consisted primarily from the Yugoslavian countries players like Adis Hasecic, Nemanja Simeunovic, Vladimir Zelenbaba, Drazen Vukovic, Dado Hadrovic, and Haris Fazlagic was selected as team captain. Waterloo made their First Division debut on May 6, 2012 against Windsor Stars in a 2-0 victory with both goals coming from Hadrovic.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports12/12csl018.htm|title=May 6, 2012--SC WATERLOO, YORK REGION REGISTER OPENING WINS SUNDAY (from CSL website)|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|access-date=2016-08-28}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/2607850-sc-waterloo-proves-they-belong/|title=SC Waterloo proves they belong|last=Record|first=The|website=www.therecord.com|access-date=2016-08-28}} In their inaugural season, the club finished ninth in the overall standings, and missed the final postseason berth by two points. At the CSL awards banquet Vukovic received the CSL Golden Boot for finishing as the league's top goalscorer with 20 goals.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports12/12csl157.htm|title=November 25, 2012--2012 CSL Awards Dinner (from CSL website)|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|access-date=2016-08-28}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports12/12csl154.htm|title=November 25, 2012 CSL Awards Dinner (by Rocket Robin)|last=Glover|first=Robin|website=www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com|access-date=2016-08-28}}
File:SC Waterloo 2013.jpg in 2013.]]
In preparations for the 2013 season, Džepina acquired the services of Ranko Golijanin, and Predrag Papaz while retaining the majority of core veterans from the previous season.{{Cite web|url=http://scwaterloo.ca/pro/team.php |title=Team {{!}} SC Waterloo |date=2015-01-07 |access-date=2016-08-30 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107131613/http://scwaterloo.ca/pro/team.php |archive-date=2015-01-07 }}{{Cite web|url=http://insoccer.ca/2013/12/14/waterloo-region-fans-hope-their-winning-coach-will-do-it-again/|title=WATERLOO REGION FANS HOPE THEIR WINNING COACH WILL DO IT AGAIN - insoccer.ca|access-date=2016-09-04}} Meanwhile, Waterloo transferred their home venue to Warrior Field, and Vukovic was awarded the team captaincy. The team performed well during the regular season even achieving an eight-game undefeated streak at home. SC Waterloo managed to secure a postseason berth by finishing fifth in the overall standings with the second highest goal scoring record, and fourth best defensive record.{{Cite web|url=http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/4187117-sc-waterloo-shooting-for-double-championship/|title=SC Waterloo shooting for double championship|last=Bryson|first=Mark|website=www.therecord.com|access-date=2016-08-28}} In the first round of the postseason, their opponents were Brampton City United FC, where Waterloo advanced to the next round after thrashing Brampton 4-0 with goals coming from Fazlagic, Hasecic, Vukovic, and Zoran Kukic.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports13/13csl139.htm|title=Result and details of the Monday October 14, 2013 CSL Quarterfinal game between Brampton City United and SC Waterloo played at Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton at 7:00pm.|last=Glover|first=Robin}} The club faced Toronto Croatia in the semi-finals where the match concluded in a 1-1 draw which resulted in a penalty shootout with Waterloo winning the shootout by a score of 5-4.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports13/13csl142.htm|title=Result and details of the Saturday October 19, 2013 CSL Semi-Final game between Toronto Croatia and SC Waterloo played at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke at 7:00pm.|last=Glover|first=Robin}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports13/13csl143.htm|title=October 19, 2013 CSL Semifinals--Toronto Croatia vs SC Waterloo (from CSL website)|last=Adamson|first=Stan}} Their opponents in the CSL Championship final were regular season champions Kingston FC, where Waterloo claimed their first piece of silverware by defeating Kingston by a score of 3-1 with goals coming from Zelenbaba and Fazlagic.{{Cite web|url=http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/4190477-sc-waterloo-wins-csl-championship/|title=SC Waterloo wins CSL championship|last=Record|first=The|website=www.therecord.com|access-date=2016-08-28}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2013/11/03/sc-waterloo-wins-both-csl-titles|title=SC Waterloo wins both CSL titles|last=Smith|first=Cory|website=Niagara Falls Review|access-date=2016-08-28}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports13/13csl149.htm|title=Results and details of the Sunday November 3, 2013 CSL game between Kingston FC and SC Waterloo played at Kalar Sports Park in Niagara Falls at 2:30pm. This was the CSL Championship Final.|last=Glover|first=Robin}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports13/13csl147.htm|title=November 3, 2013 CSL--Result of Division 1 and 2 Finals (from CSL website)|last=Adamson|first=Stan}} At the same time, the club's reserve team SC Waterloo B won the CSL Second Division championship defeating Toronto Croatia B by a score of 2-0 with goals from Erwin Uzunovic, and Mohammed-Ali Heydarpour.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports13/13csl151.htm|title=Results and details of the Sunday November 3, 2013 CSL game between Toronto Croatia B and SC Waterloo B played at Kalar Sports Park in Niagara Falls at 12:00pm. This was the CSL 2nd Division Final.|last=Glover|first=Robin}}
For the 2014 season, Aleksandar Stojiljković, Ramon Bailey, and Kiril Dimitrov were brought in as reinforcements.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/can-waterloo-repeat-the-best-is-yet-to-come-president-tony-kocis/|title=CAN WATERLOO REPEAT? The best is yet to come: president Tony Kocis {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|last=Adamson|first=Stan|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2016-08-31}} Throughout the season, Waterloo's performance paled in comparison from their previous season, but still managed to clinch a playoff berth by finishing seventh in the overall standings. Their opponents in the first round were Toronto Croatia, where unfortunately Waterloo failed to defend their championship after suffering a 4-2 loss.{{Cite web|url=http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/sports-story/4913229-sc-waterloo-bounced-from-playoffs/|title=SC Waterloo bounced from playoffs|last=Chronicle|first=Waterloo|website=www.waterloochronicle.ca|access-date=2016-08-30}} In the Second Division, Waterloo reached the finals where they were defeated by Kingston FC. At the conclusion of the season, Stojiljkovic and Nikola Miokovic were awarded the Rookie of the Year award for the First & Second Divisions.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/2014-second-division-awards/|title=2014 Second Division Awards {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2016-08-30|archive-date=2016-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422083551/http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/2014-second-division-awards/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/awards/|title=Awards {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2016-08-30}}
Their performance in the 2015 season improved as they finished fourth in the overall standings, and recording the third best defensive record.{{Cite web|url=http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/sports/sc-waterloo-ends-csl-season-with-draw-1.2595759|title=SC Waterloo ends CSL season with draw|last=Steinman|first=Randy|date=October 5, 2015|publisher=CTV News Kitchener|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305012706/http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/sports/sc-waterloo-ends-csl-season-with-draw-1.2595759|archive-date=March 5, 2017|access-date=2016-08-31}} In the first round of the playoffs, Waterloo faced Toronto Atomic FC, and advanced to the next round by a score of 2-0 with goals coming from Hasecic and Slobodan Milanovic.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/top-four-advance-to-semifinals-for-csl-championship-second-division-quarterfinals-also-decided/|title=TOP FOUR ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS FOR CSL CHAMPIONSHIP…..2nd Division quarterfinals also decided {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2016-08-31}} In the semi-finals, the opponents were regular season champions the Serbian White Eagles, whom they managed to upset by a score of 3-2 with goals from Mladen Zeljkovic, Ali Heydarpour, and Hasecic.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/waterloo-in-csl-final-with-3-2-victory-first-half-deficit-too-much-for-serbian-white-eagles/|title=WATERLOO IN CSL FINAL WITH 3-2 VICTORY…..First half deficit too much for Serbian White Eagles {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|last=Adamson|first=Stan|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2016-08-31}} For the second time in the club's history, they reached the CSL Championship final where they faced Toronto Croatia. Unfortunately the match didn't end in their favor as Toronto managed to secure a goal in a 1-0 victory.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/toronto-croatia-win-a-squeaker-for-championship-milton-score-second-division-victory/|title=TORONTO CROATIA WIN A SQUEAKER FOR CSL CHAMPIONSHIP….Milton score Second Division victory {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|last=Adamson|first=Stan|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2016-08-31}}{{Cite web|url=http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/sports/sc-waterloo-falls-in-csl-title-games-1.2628026|title=SC Waterloo falls in CSL title games|last=Steinman|first=Randy|date=October 26, 2015|publisher=CTV News Kitchener|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914221816/http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/sports/sc-waterloo-falls-in-csl-title-games-1.2628026|archive-date=September 14, 2016|access-date=2016-08-31}} The reserve team managed to create a milestone by reaching the championship finals for third straight year. Their opponents were Milton SC, but came short as their senior squad after suffering a 3-1 loss. Despite Waterloo's infield success, the club was without controversy as there was one reported allegation of match-fixing in a match against Niagara United.{{Cite web|url=http://www.570news.com/2016/01/07/sc-waterloo-implicated-in-soccer-match-fixing-allegations/|title=SC Waterloo implicated in soccer match-fixing allegations|last=Bauman|first=Martin|date=2016-01-07|website=570 NEWS|access-date=2016-08-31}} Waterloo officials responded by denying any involvement in trying to manipulate the outcome of the match against Niagara .{{Cite web|url=http://www.570news.com/2016/01/21/sc-waterloo-responds-to-soccer-match-fixing-allegations/|title=SC Waterloo responds to soccer match-fixing allegations|last=Bauman|first=Martin|date=2016-01-21|website=570 NEWS|access-date=2016-08-31}}
In 2016, SC Waterloo voluntarily were relegated to the CSL Second Division.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/csl-set-for-may-kickoff/|title=CSL SET FOR MAY KICKOFF {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|last=Adamson|first=Stan|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2016-08-31}} Since their return to the Second Division, the Tri-City club secured the regular season title.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/2016-second-division-standings/|title=2016 Second Division Standings {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2017-01-08}} Their opponents in the postseason were the York Region Shooters B, where they were eliminated from the competition by a score of 1-0.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/york-region-and-hamilton-advance-to-semifinals-shooters-and-atomic-will-meet-in-second-division-final/|title=YORK REGION AND HAMILTON ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS……Shooters and Atomic will meet in Second Division final {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|last=Adamson|first=Stan|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|access-date=2017-01-08}} For the 2017 season, the club was promoted to the First Division.{{Cite web|url=http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/csl-expansion-teams-vorkuta-and-royal-toronto-give-new-look-end-of-may-kickoff/|title=CSL EXPANSION TEAMS VORKUTA AND ROYAL TORONTO GIVE NEW LOOK……End of May kickoff {{!}} Canadian Soccer League|website=canadiansoccerleague.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2017-07-02}}
Notable players
{{cmn|colwidth=13em|
- {{flagicon|CAN}} Wesley Cain
- {{flagicon|CAN}} Jake Inglis
- {{flagicon|BRB}} Zachary Ellis-Hayden
- {{flagicon|BIH}} Haris Fazlagić
- {{flagicon|BIH}} Jure Glavina
- {{flagicon|BIH}} Ranko Golijanin
- {{flagicon|BIH}} Adis Hasečić
- {{flagicon|BIH}} Slobodan Milanović
- {{flagicon|BIH}} Predrag Papaz
- {{flagicon|BUL}} Kiril Dimitrov
- {{flagicon|Chinese Taipei}} Emilio Estevez
- {{flagicon|CRO}} Dražen Vuković
- {{flagicon|SRB}} Aleksandar Stojiljković
- {{flagicon|SRB}} Vladimir Zelenbaba
- {{flagicon|SRB}} Mladen Zeljković
}}
Honours
SC Waterloo Region
- CSL Championship: 2013
- CSL Championship runner-up: 2015
- Canadian Soccer League Second Division: 2016
SC Waterloo Region II
- CSL II Championship: 2013
- CSL II Championship runner-up: 2014, 2015
- Canadian Soccer League Second Division: 2015
Head coaches
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
- Lazo Džepina (2012–2016)
- Stefan Ristic (2017)
- Radivoj Panić (2018–2019)
{{col-end}}
Seasons
= First team =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| Season
!League !Teams !{{tooltip|Record|Wins, draws, losses}} !Rank !Playoffs !Ref |
|---|
| 2011
|rowspan="1"|Canadian Soccer League (Second Division) |14 |6–7–6 |4th |Quarterfinals |
| 2012
|rowspan="4"|Canadian Soccer League (First Division) |16 |10–1–11 |9th |did not qualify |
| 2013
|12 |11–4–7 |5th |bgcolor="FFEBAD"|Champions |
| 2014
|10 |6–4–8 |7th |Quarterfinals |
| 2015
|12 |11–3–7 |4th |Finals |
| 2016
|rowspan="1"|Canadian Soccer League (Second Division) |6 |9–2–3 |bgcolor="B3B7FF"|1st |Semifinals |
| 2017
|rowspan="3"|Canadian Soccer League (First Division) |8 |1–5–8 |7th |Quarterfinals |
| 2018
|9 |9–2–5 |3rd |Semifinals |
| 2019
|10 |10–1–7 |4th |Semifinals |
=== Second team ===
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| Season
!League !Teams !{{tooltip|Record|Wins, draws, losses}} !Rank !Playoffs !Ref |
|---|
| 2012
|rowspan="5"|Canadian Soccer League (Second Division) |12 |8–3–5 |5th |Quarterfinals | |
| 2013
|9 |6–3–7 |6th |bgcolor="FFEBAD"|Champions |
| 2014
|9 |7–5–4 |4th |Finals |
| 2015
|10 |10–6–2 |bgcolor="B3B7FF"|1st |Finals |
| 2017
|8 |5–1–8 |6th |Quarterfinals |
Former crest
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website|http://scwaterloo.ca/pro/home.php}}
{{Canadian Soccer League}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:SC Waterloo Region}}
Category:Canadian Soccer League (1998–present) teams
Category:Association football clubs established in 2011
Category:Soccer clubs in Ontario
Category:2011 establishments in Ontario
Category:Sport in Waterloo, Ontario
Category:Sport in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo