GS United (Gursikh Sabha United) of
Scarborough became the first team from Ontario in 16 years
to win the Canadian Men's National Soccer title. Since the
tournament started in 1902, Ontario teams have only won the
National 11 times. In addition to winning the Canadian
National Soccer Championship in Calgary, GS has also
won the Ontario Soccer League (OSL) title, Ontario Cup, and
the prestigious Ted Combs Award for the most consistent team
in the league over the last four years. GS was also well
represented in the OSL
individual awards as Captain
Emil Calixtero won the MVP, Courtney Campbell, the Best Goalkeeper, and
John Williams Coach of the Year for his second in
the last 3 years.
It is customary to find most of GS United teams
players on University
Scholarships list, while others have moved on to national status
with the Olympic team such as Alim Karrim and Dwayne
De Rosario with the Canada men's National team.
GS United has also won Caribbean Stars Indoor
tournament on four occasions and several Scarborough Soccer
Association (SSA) Indoor titles in both the Men’s Open and
O-35 Divisions. They have exemplified the true meaning of
sportsmanship reflected by the number of Most Discipline
awards they have won sometimes in mediocre season, when
temperament are usually tested.
GS has
contributed positively to the Caribbean Community and
society in general, due to their perseverance and commitment
to excellence. Ot the 50 players that constitues the
Club GS United,
over 20 of them are of different nationalities which is a true
reflection of the Canadian Multicultural Society.
GS Manager Dave Sidhu was candid when asked
about his team’s success compared to past seasons. He
responded “We have always had skill in our teams, that was a
given, but the addition of 5 to 6 players brought us more
dedication and cultivated ultimate and utmost respect for
each other”. When asked, what’s next for GS He replied, “In
my mind we were not the best team out there
consistently, and for next season we will be adding another
3 or so players that should put us in a good position to
defend our titles successfully”
GS United was formed in 1990 and had success
at the recreational level in Scarborough before joining the
Toronto and District (T&D) League winning five different
divisions in five years. The team was finally promoted to
the Ontario Soccer League (OSL) in 2001 after improving
their standing every year. They won some of the
league's major trophies in 2003 which included the League
Champions, OSL Cup, MVP, and Coach of the Year, Best
Goalkeeper, and Most Discipline Team award. In 2004 they
under achieved by placing 3rd and winning the
Most Discipline Team award for the second consecutive year.
With all their success in the past they were never satisfied
due to their disappointing play in the elusive Ontario Cup
tournaments, a tournament they were focused on winning for
quite some time. They finally achieved that goal and
ultimately went on to win the National as a result. Well
Done GS!
On behalf of GS United management Dave Sidhu would
like to say a special thank you to Bill Singh and all the
players and supporters who have associated with, and
contributed to, GS United from its inception.
by Aldwyn McGill
Scarborough
Indoor Soccer exciting finals
Some
stayed off Sudden Death while others fade away on penalty
kicks. Dalton House, was the "Scarborough
Indoor Soccer League" (SISL) 2005 O/35 league Champion
and Play-Off Runners up while GS United was 2005
Over-35 League Runners up and Play-Off Champion.
Dalton House beat GS United twice in regular
league play but on this day GS United prevailed
winning on penalty kicks after the 5 minutes sudden death.
In the
second final Just Us team defeated GS United
to win the SISL 2005 Men’s Open Play-Off Championship. They
tied the game 2-2 with only 4 seconds left in regulation
play and won the game with seconds left in sudden death
overtime. GS United was playing short handed
after two of their players were sent to the penalty box.
Peter Firebrace scored all three goals including the winning
goal to complete the hat trick. GS United was
the SISL 2005 Men’s Open League Champion and Play-off Runner
up and will be one of "Caribbean Stars"
future featured organization. Stay tuned!
Carib Stars Affiliation with North
Scarborough
"Caribbean Stars" has confirmed their soccer club has signed
an affiliation agreement with North Scarborough Soccer Club
(NSSC) senior team of the Ontario Soccer League Multi
Jurisdictional League to provide some leadership and support
to the young NSSC team. Interested players can call
416-434-9586, 416-286-6292 or 416-526-3436. The team season
opener is on June 5, 2005.
Caribbean Stars Launches
Website
"Caribbean Stars"
in conjunction with Island Style Events (recognized
internationally for their "GLOW" (all white) and "Hatters" events)
launched their website
www.caribbeanstars.com on
the "Guess Who" Show and Fete at KOOL HAUS
132 Queens Quay on Saturday, May 21, 2005.
Caribbean
Stars would like to thank "Ian Wilshire" of
Island Style Events,
"Jamaal Magloire" of
Jamaal Magloire Entertainment
and everyone associated with the "Guess Who Show" for giving
us the opportunity to launch Caribbeanstars.com as a part of
your event.
Caribbean Stars to form Alumni
Caribbean Stars Soccer Club will be making an
effort to contact all past players to form an Alumni team.
According to sources this will be the foundation for
Caribbean Stars membership. All past players are asked to
contact 416-286-6292, 416-526-3436.
Summer
Youth Soccer Camp
Caribbean Stars will be holding their first
Annual Youth Soccer Camp for ages 6-16 from
July 11 to 22 2005 at McLevin Park in Scarborough.
Registration forms can be obtained online, or at your club
or community outlets.
Soccer
Back Then
In the late
1960s West Indians in Toronto wanted to play soccer for more
than just fun and exercise, they wanted to compete, thus
West Indies United was formed. Unfortunately a few years
later there was a parting of ways and some of the members
created their own team, Iere Sports Club, with both
clubs competing in the Toronto and District Soccer League.
The Contrast Newspaper which back then was the only local
West Indian paper got involved and organized a knock out
tournament for the Contrast Cup. The original teams were the
more prominent teams such as West Indies United, Iere, and
Unity and as the years past included Simba, Marlee United
and Real etc;
The
Contrast League was the first taste organized community
soccer besides the local tournaments hosted by WI United and
Iere Sports Clubs. This gave the limited amount of blacks an
opportunity to know each other and make friends. In reality
it brought the West Indian community together.
However at
the grass root level there were other talented players as in
all communities who were not a member of the elite teams but
were willing to play as a form of exercise, fun, and
enjoyment. As a result in 1975 a group of guys decided to
form another League called the Street Guys Soccer league
that operated out of the Oakwood Collegiate school field.
The league moved to the Bathurst Heights field later in the
season due to school usage.
The
location was ideal because back then because 1348 St Clair
Ave West was the place to be during weekday evenings for
Cultural activities and the place to go for Parties (fete)
on the weekends. Street Guys league first end of season
Awards and Banquet was held at “1348” whose numbers were the
only direction locals party goers needed to find the Hall.
The League
relocated to Flemingdon Park area and the soccer fields
under the “Hydro wire” due to the development of the
Bathurst Heights location and the foundation for Caribbean
Soccer was established. Visit “About
Us”
section of our website and you appreciate the importance and
evolution of the Street Guys Soccer League formed by Arthur
Cato, Renrick Jupiter, Michael Williams, Desmond Marcial,
Andrew Grant and a few other to numerous to mention.
A
Special Thank You
Caribbean
Stars would like to thank the following companies,
individuals, and organizations that supported us throughout
the years:
Roots:
Renwick Jupiter, Roy John, Adolphus Serette, Dennis
Theodore, Rudolph Ottley, Selwyn Cowie, Desmond Marcial, Winston
Haywood, Michael Williams, Ronald Austin, Auburn Baptiste,
Winston Hackett, Victor Haywood, Anthony Loney, Vivian
Manswell, Pedro Haywood, B.W.I.A, Arnold Auguste and
Ron Fanfair, of �Share Newspaper and all
others who are too numerous to mention.
Support;
Noel Denny, John Williams, Hugh Foster,
Ronald Austin, Peter Kovacs, Mike Nickie, Ken Mollineau,
Howard Cyrus, Dixon Modeste, Ian Barron, Dave Sidhu,
Norma Clarke, Lucky Boothe, George Gomez, Ian Hypolite, Winston
Molligan, McIver Broomes, Gary Bryan, Val Sebro, Wayne "Nicko"
Constance (God Bless), Tyrell McGill, Anton Skerritt,
Richard Husbands,"Magic Athletic", "West IndiesUnited", "G.S. United", "Admiral Canada",
Bell Canada, Titan Tours, Brampton East, Pickering, Ajax and
S.S.A Youth Clubs, Toronto Lynx, The City of Toronto, and
all the businesses, clubs, players, and supporters that
helped establish �Caribbean Stars
Soccer Club
Special thanks to the following for their contribution and
coverage at the "Portmore United International Game"
----- Caribbean Camera Newspaper,
Scarborough Mirror, Share Newspaper, Nicey's Food Marts,
Donahue's Jerk Chicken, Chuppie Foods, Eddie Williams from
Flow 93.5 Live-to-Air, Ron Nelson from CKLN 88.1FM
Reggaemania, Maceo Sound Systems, Ocean Bay Night Club,
Seven Lounge Night Club, Scarborough Blizzards Youth
Club, North Scarborough Youth Club, Metro Lions Youth Team,
Toronto Caribbean Soccer League, Scarborough Caribbean Youth
Dance Ensemble, Winston Paddy, Isiah Swaby, Arnold Millan,
Bill Dixon, Metro Lions Crew, Air Jamaica, and all others
who were too numerous to mention.
Also a special thanks to Raschelle McGill,
Nardine Vialva, Yvette Grant, and Paul Martin for making
the web creation possible.
Website
Launch Report
"Caribbean Stars"
in conjunction with Island Style Events (recognized
internationally for their "GLOW" (all white) and "Hatters" events)
launched their website www.caribbeanstars.com on
the "Guess Who" Show and Fete at KOOL HAUS
132 Queens Quay on Saturday, May 21, 2005.
The show was hosted by
E-Man while the pre-show music provided by Dr. Jay "D Soca
Prince" from the (K.O.S) Kingdom of Soca family had the
crowd bubbling. Performers included three spectacular
female performers Denise
"Saucy Wow"
Belfon,performing her "Kakalaylay" and showing the
audience what she meant by "Bounce it".
Faye-Ann Lyons,
who had the crowd "Focus" on her as she "Display"
her sensational talent and Ms. Alison Hinds who
showed the men in the audience if you want to step to these
women you better come correct. Other performers
included
Maximus Dan and
Timmy.
Also celebrating his 27th birthday was "Jamaal Magloire"
of the New Orleans Hornets.
Thanks
to all in attendance and Island Style Events, for
making the launch a success.
C
Stars-N Scar wins IERE Soccer Tournament
The Caribbean
Stars-North Scarborough (CS-NS) team began their 2005
outdoor season by winning the
Iere
Annual Soccer Tournamentheld at Lamport Stadium. The tournament consisted of six
teams, "Young Lions", "Ebony Juniors", "Scarborough
Caribbean", "Everton", "Caribbean Stars-North
Scarborough", and "Vincy United". The two
divisional favorites going into the semi-finals were Vincy
United and Ebony Juniors. CS-North Scarborough upset Vincy
United on sudden death penalty kicks while Ebony
Juniors went on to defeat Everton 1-0 in the other
semi-final. The CS-North Scarborough saved there best game
for last by defeating Ebony Juniors in the final on sudden
death penalty kicks after the game was tied 0-0 at the end
of regulation time. CS-North Scarborough midfielder "Benedict
Wallace" was named the Most Valuable Player of
the tournament.
Lynx
seconds away from first win
On
Fiesta Latina night last Saturday,
May 28, 2005 against an impressive Puerto Rico Latino
team Toronto Lynx (in yellow) were disappointed
with a 4-4 tie final score. Playing only their
second game at home in eight starts the Lynx were
approximately 60 seconds away from their first win of the
season. They allowed a 4-3 lead to slip away after scoring
inside 3 minutes of injury time. Seconds later celebration
turned into confusion and disbelief for Lynx fans when the
Latinos tied the game. The fans were still celebrating from
the Lynx goal and maybe this could have been the case for
the Toronto Lynx players who did not get back in
time for the tying goal that came from a dangerous
cross from the left flank to the last post. The rest as they
say is history.
In the
first half of play the Lynx was dominated in the midfield by
the visiting Puerto Rico Latino team and trailed
3-1 at intermission.
The second half began
in similar fashion with the Lynx a tad too casual in their
approached and almost gave up a break away on the very first
seconds on a bad pass back to a defender. The energized fans
recognized the situation and sang
“go
Lynx go” after two
brilliant saves by goalkeeper Zagar Theodosis.Toronto Lynx made full use of their free
kicks and in the second half had an 8-4 foul advantage on
free kicks compared to an even 7-7 in the first. The "set
plays" paid dividends
and gave the Lynx some motivation creating three of
Toronto's four goals. That turned out to be the story of the
game. Toronto Lynx utilization of their "setplays"
and the big saves by goalkeeper Zagar Theodosis.
Our
Star
of the Game was
Toronto Lynx goalkeeper Zagar Theodosis
who made big saves that kept his team in the game and gave
them momentum to tie and eventually take the lead 4-3 in
injury time. The home crowd with chants "Let’s go
Lynx" energized the team to score three consecutive goals to
take the lead.
The Goal of the Game
(by a narrow margin over the scissor kick second goal by the
visitors) was Toronto Lynx third goal that tied the
game. It was a beauty of a free kick taken
just outside the 18 yard penalty area, right of center. It
was bent around the wall (like Beckham) and
handcuffed the opposing keeper.
Toronto Lynx
next home game in Tuesday, May 31 2005 against Rochester
Raging Rhinos and game time is at 11:00am. We think from
what we have seen from Toronto's team in their last two home
games that a win on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at home is
very likely.
Toronto
Lynx Slow Start
Toronto Lynx
playing before their largest crowd of the season on "SchoolDay" started their game against Rochester
Raging Rhinos the way they started this season "slow".
The team fell behind by four goals in the first 30 minutes
of play and was trailing 5-1 at the half.
In the second half
they kept the Rhinos scoreless while scoring two goals of
their own to make the final score a decent 5-3. Again the
positives for the Lynx were their
set
plays that seem
to be their best offensive tool thus far. The Lynx are a
dangerous team on set pieces scoring 5 of there last 6 goals
as a result of free kicks. They are also ending games
stronger than their opponents. Maybe it could be due to the
fact that they were behind on the scoreboard during those
games. Judging from the last three games it seems that they
would have a better chance at winning if the
players concentrated and spend more energy at the beginning
(first half) of games, on their defensive assignments. It is
still early in the season but Lynx players have to show
that desire to achieve that elusive first win of the season.
Toronto
Caribbean Soccer League Open
Toronto Caribbean Soccer League
(T.C.S.L) opened the
2005 season to a good crowd on the weekend with double
headers on both Saturday and Sunday. In the first game on
Saturday at 7pm North Kipling defeated
Upsetters 4-1 and in the featured game of the evening
Champion Kickers (2004 League Winners) played to a
goalless tie with Jamaica Ambassadors. The game was
a well played contest with the defending champion having a
slight edge in possession but Ambassadors goalkeeper was the
player of the game with some brilliant saves to secure the
shutout. In the first game on Sunday, Young Lions
defeated Solo Boyz 2-1 and in the second and
final game of the weekend Sateba and Western
United played to a 1-1 tie. Toronto
Caribbean Soccer League is in its fifth season
and all games are played ay Teasdale Park (one blk east of
Black Creek and Eglinton Ave). Champion Kickers
team has been added to our TEAMS section
and T.C.S.L league will be one of our many upcoming features
via The Caribbean Stars Experience. June 06,
2005
T.C.S.L
schedule games for next week Sat June
11, Ambassadors vs. Sateba @ 7.pm and Western
vs. C. Kickers @ 9pm Sun June 12, Up
setters vs. Young Lions @ 7pm and N. Kipling vs. Solo Boyz
9pm
Caribbean Stars Originals
This was
the Caribbean Stars team that started first game of the 1995
season. Left to
Right from the back--- Bobby Moses, Fitzroy Crooks, Aldwyn
McGill (Coach) Tyrell McGill (equipment), Noel Denny
(Administrator), Ronald Austin, Chris Handsor, McIver
Broomes, Sean Casquero, Miguel Mitchell, Hugh Foster (Asst
Coach) Middle
Row---Sean Samuels, St Ryan Steeles, Jomo Pitt Front
Row--- Johnny Williams, Anton Skerritt, Patrick Bradley,
Eric Johnston, Rennie Martin, Sheldon Smith, Cameron Walker,
Andre Fanis
Caribbean Stars 95 Cup Semi Finalist
Above
Caribbean Stars team that played against Toronto Italia
Back row: left to right Aldwyn McGill
(Coach), Anton Skerritt, Francis Charles, Peter Firebrace,
Bayete Smith, Dixon Modeste, Fitzroy Crooks, Mark Gibbs,
Eric Fanis, Edwin Ferdinand: Front row, Mike Mendonza,
Cameron Walker, Roderick Phillip, Patrick Bradley, Ronnie
Andrews, Mark Stevens, Miguel Mitchell, John Williams.
Toronto
Lynx getting Spicy
The
Toronto Lynx of
the USL is schedule to play a talented Caribbean All Star
team on Sunday July 10, 2005 at Caribbean Stars Sports and
Family Day at Birchmount Stadium at 6pm. The Lynx are hoping
to turn up some hot tempo from this exhibition game into
their Carib Fest league home game on Sunday 16 against the
Seattle Sounders at Centennial Stadium at 7:30 pm.
The
Caribbean All Star
team will comprise of Caribbean players from the OSL, CPSL,
TSSL, and the TCSL Leagues. The accumulated players will
play an exhibition game within the next two weeks as soon as
their respective league schedules permits. The All Star team
will eventually be selected from the inter squad exhibition
game to play the Toronto Lynx.
Good Start
for United
Malvern West Indies Unitedand
GS United of the
Provincial Ontario Soccer League (OSL) are off to a good
start to their 2005 outdoor season. The two
teams
have identical undefeated records of 3-0 with no ties. The
teams should provide the community with some exciting soccer
and probably some hardware. GS Utd last game was a 2-1
victory over Benfica at St Clair field last Friday while
West Indies squeak by Magic Athletic by a score of 1-0
before a huge crowd at McLevin Park last Sunday.
2005-06-15
Lynx 1st
Home Win at Carib Fest
Toronto Lynx finally enjoyed their first home
win of the 2005 USL Soccer Season. The victory was at the
expense of the Seattle Sounders on Carib Fest night. After
five tries the long awaited and well deserved home victory
came on a night when Caribbean Stars Soccer Club was an
honourable mention and had forecasted in previous articles
that the Lynx would Spice things up after there appearance
in a friendly game at Caribbean Stars Sports and Family Day.
This was the Lynx first league game after the appearance and
they did get spicy and unlike previous home games were very
aggressive from the start of the game. They controlled the
run of play and opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a
goal by # 10 Charles Gbeke. There welcome on field change of
pace in a season where the team were not getting the breaks
will ensure that they make their own breaks. Case in point;
although they missed a penalty taken by Henry Nigel that
could have extended their lead to 2-0 they did not bow their
heads but continued to plugged away at a point in the game
where Seattle Sounders were taking over the game and poised
to score. They eventually countered a Seattle team pressing
for an equalizing goal which was unlike the Lynx of old.
They pounced on the opportunity and continued to string the
effective short passes together and with a perfect
SHORT through pass to #12 Wynn Belotte just inside the
penalty area circle the second goal finally came. Wynn
muscled through two defenders and scored with a neat
placement away from advancing Sounders goalkeeper.
Almost reminiscent of their game against Portland where the
team over celebrated to give up a tie with seconds left in
that game Belotte in his celebration took off his Jersey and
was carded. Again unlike the old Lynx only Belotte (not the
entire team) was guilty of counting the win before the final
whistle. Seattle scored their goal in 91st minute to end the
game 2-1.
It is only fitting with the hard work the
Lynx team have been putting in on their 2 week layoff that
lady luck and positive things happened to help them win this
game. Hopefully this trend will continue into the second
half of the season.
Toronto Lynx now has a much improved team
and two wins and one tie in their last three games
Flemingdon Reunion
The
Reunion was organized to rekindle the good
times experienced over two decades when the Street Guys
league relocated to Flemingdon Park in 1976 under the Hydro
wires. There were not many teams present compared to
previous years maybe because of the Caribana festivities but
that did not prevent the DJs from creating
a festive atmosphere reminiscent of the good old days. The
weather at Flemingdon was beautiful with temperatures
soaring over 30 degrees Celsius and no rain although it
rained in other parts of the city. Flemingdon Park was
hot, festive, and relaxing with lawn chairs the order of the
day.
The Reunion opened with a combine team of
past players from Exhibitor, Players, Spoilers, Colts and
East West Connection playing against an energetic All Star
team that had some players from the Canadian Professional
Soccer League (CPSL). The game ended 5-4 for the All
Stars.
In the second game the Street Guys combine
team played the Park Boys who had Bobby Harry Persaud, owner
of the popular night club Caribbean Flavour on their team.
The game attracted more spectators than the first due to the
support for the home team, Flavour Park Boys. The game ended
5-3 in favour of Park Boys.
Family Day
winners of the Boys under 12 race seen chilling after
receiving their medals and the sun visor donated by M.P.P.
Alvin Curling's office.
Caribbean Stars Alumni in Finals
The two Caribbean Stars Alumni Players
to appear in the Ontario Cup Final. Peter Firebrace and Rene
Martin on the
L-R outer ends with team mate Gladstone
Richards. They will be playing against GS United on Sunday
September 18, 2005 at Soccer Centre at 4pm.
Rene won Ontario Cup with Woodbridge Azzirri
before and so did Peter with Scarborough Azzuri. Gladstone
Richards is Ontario Soccer League (OSL) and Toronto
Caribbean Soccer League (TCSL) 2004 MVP. He is also having a
good 2005 season thus far. Peter Firebrace was our Man of
the Match in Azzuri semi final game while Rene
Martin remains Azzurri's minister of defence at center back.
They will be playing against their GS team mates of last
season in Sean Long, Johnny Williams (coach), Chris Handsor
(asst coach) and Gary Bryan. These mentioned players were
all members of the 95 Caribbean Stars elite team.
This should make for a very interesting final.
Adidas
Tent at Family Day
The Adidas Soccer Tent
installed by John Williams was a big hit
with the kids. Most kids participated while the others
supported friends as they competed for prizes at numerous
shooting contests. The wait in the line although seemed a
bit lengthy, the smile on the kids faces with their prizes
indicated that the wait was worth the enjoyment
Scarborough Caribbean (SCSC) clinched NYCSL 2005 League
Title
Memorial
Tournament
Caribbean Stars First Annual Memorial Outdoor Soccer
Tournament is being held in memory of all deceased soccer
players and soccer enthusiasts from the community.
The
Tournament is
scheduled for Saturday October 1st 2005, at LAmoreaux 1 & 2
Fields in Scarborough.
1981
TCSL Champions Colts Int’L
GS United
Coaching Staff
GS United coaching staff
won our Man of the Match award for their match ups and
timely substitutions to win the 2005 Ontario Cup. From left
to right John Williams (coach), Chris Handsor (assist
coach), Lester Burno, and Wayne Morgan.
GS Utd
Win Cup
GS United won the
Men's Division of the Ontario Cup 1-0 on an overtime
goal scored by Tom Kouzmanis. Winning the Ontario
Cup was the objective of the GS organization for several
years.
GS Accepts
Ontario Cup
GS
United Emil Calixterio (captain) and Dave Sidhu (manager)
accepts the Ontario Cup after defeating Woodbridge Azzurri
in sudden death overtime at the Soccer Centre.
Caribbean Stars CISL 1996
Indoor Champs
Caribbean Stars team that won the Canadian
International Soccer League at Centennial College in
Scarborough. Back Row: Patrick Bradley, Elvis Thomas,
Junior Kitson, Bayete Smith, Dixon Modeste, Kevin Golindo,
Aldwyn McGill (coach) Front Row: Warren Ali, Terrence
Constantine, Mark Stevens, Peter Firebrace
TCSL
International Stars
The Toronto Caribbean Soccer League held two
"Stop the Violence benefit games at Ester Shiner Stadium on
Labour Day Sunday September 4, 2005.
The first game was between Somalia All Stars
against Toronto Caribbean All Stars. The Caribbean All Stars
won 4-1 in a game that showcased talent but not much
teamwork. The second game was very entertaining and featured
Jamaican National player Onandi Lowe (front row 4th from
left) and Toronto Caribbean Int'l Stars versus Scarborough
Azzurri.
Stop the
Violence Part II Action
On an overcast September Sunday the only
shadows the Toronto Caribbean All Stars (TCSL) saw were that of
the Montreal Caribbean All Stars players. In a game where the TCSL
Stars look superior early, their sense of urgency was not
as present as in the first Stop the
Violence exhibition game three weeks earlier. The Montreal All Stars slowly
worked their way into the game and opened the scoring midway
through the first half. The TCSL All Stars equalized
within minutes of falling behind and the game got very
competitive tied 1-1 at the half. The second half
continued the same as the first, but it was quite
noticeable that Montreal All Stars were double teaming Onandi Lowe
of the Reggae Boyz 98 World Cup team. But while
Montreal was imposing their defensive strategy, the TCSL
defense got complacent and gave up a second goal on a counter
attack down the right flank. Stunned by the turn of events
the TCSL push forward more aggressively, but it was too late.
The Montreal team found a soft spot down the right flank and
capitalized for yet anothe goal, its third, to end what turn out to be
a very entertaining contest.
GS Utd
National Champions 2005
GS United Soccer Club never gave up on their
quest to win the Ontario Cup championship. In our coverage
of the team as early as April from their Indoor season,
Caribbean Stars recognized that GS had talent but were not businesslike
in systematically putting teams away. Although they lost the
Indoor Cup in overtime in the Scarborough Indoor
Soccer League (SISL) final after dominating
the entire game, the trend continued well into
the outdoor season until their big win in the Ontario Cup
quarter finals at Caribbean Stars Family Day in early July.
That was the turning point of GS season, as
they finally
realized that their goal was attainable. There was in fact a light at the end of the tunnel
and GS United went on to win
the Ontario Cup, the Canadian Men’s National Championship
and the OSL League title.
These accomplishments although
well deserved are not surprising because there was a
coconscious that the team was under achieving. This GS team
is capable of winning another National title. Caribbean Stars would like to take this
opportunity to congratulate Dave Sidhu and his management
team, John Williams and his coaching staff, the players, and
the GS United supporters on their accomplishment. Also special thanks to the people who
prepared and served those tasty dishes after the games.
by Aldwyn McGill
Caribbean Stars Family Day Wrap Up
A "Photo Finish"
in the boys under 14 race on the Saturday was a good
indication of the type of excitement and entertainment
experienced at Birchmount Stadium at the Caribbean Stars
Sports and Family Day weekend.
The Family Day was a great
success with basketball hoops available for shoot
around, entertaining soccer games, that showcased promising
young talent, Music, Caribbean Food, Social, and most
important an atmosphere reminiscent of a well spent
vacation. The highlight of the program was the boys U-13
game between North Scarborough Harlem and N.S Stings was
known as “the game”.
The game
had all the characteristics of a blowout up when Harlem
riddled Stings with 3 unanswered goals in 5 minutes to take
a commanding 3-1 lead at the half. In the second half the
Sting returned the favor and scored 5 unanswered goals of
their own to a very excited and enthusiastic crowd
supporting a display of competitive play. Stings won the
game 5-4 but Harlem made it interesting and fought back to
regain momentum and scored minutes before the end but ran
out of time pressing for the equalizing goal. The crowd gave
the teams a standing ovation at the end of the game to show
appreciation for the entertaining game played.
The track races
as previously mentioned were very competitive with the under
14 race for boys that resulted in a photo finish. The Boys
under 12 race shown below was also very competitive and by
the body language you could appreciate the intensity and the
effort. There are no gender restrictions to compete in the
Family Day
A first
for the Family Day was a scheduled Girls under 15
Scarborough United Team to play a Boy's North Scarborough
under 14 team. The girls played well and understandably
enjoyed the full support of the crowd. The boys eventually
won the game 4-0.
The Men’s Soccer
part of the Family Day program progressed into an action
filled men’s game between Soca and NSSC Posse. Soca
eventually scored the winning goal three minutes before the
final whistle in a game that went back and forth. Soca Club
has been a regular participant at the Family and is a member
of the Toronto Services Soccer League. They have revamped
their soccer program for 2005 with the noticeable increase
of talented young players. North Scarborough is a member of
the Ontario Soccer League (MJ Division) and is an affiliate
of Caribbean Stars Soccer Club for the 2005 season.
The Adidas Soccer Tent
installed by John Williams was a big hit with the kids. Most
kids participated while the others supported friends as they
competed for prizes at numerous shooting contests. The wait
in the line although seemed a bit lengthy, the smile on the
kids faces with their prizes indicated that the wait was
worth the enjoyment.
Family Day Saturday closed
out with a veteran Over-35 game between Oil Brigade from
Toronto and Caribec from Montreal/Quebec. This is the second
year for Caribec at the family day and according to
sources they have committed to the Caribbean Stars Family
Day for 2006. They have requested stiffer competition from
Toronto for next year. From all indications on returning
with the same players they will be very hard to beat. They
are a very talented veteran team that had little opposition
in winning their game this year by a lopsided 5-1 margin.
Last year they played to a 2-2 tie with Ice Picks from New
York who cancelled this year due to prior commitment to the
CONCACAF Gold Cup and a Miami Veteran organization.
Family Day Sundayopened with an important Ontario Cup game
between G.S United shown above and Bramlea Celtic. G.S was
very aggressive at the start of the game controlling the run
of play with their ball possession. They had a commanding
2-0 lead until 3 minutes to halftime when a GS United
defender good cute and chest trap a cross ball in his
penalty area. Needless to say he lost the ball to a Celtic
forward and the play resulted in a goal for Bramlea Celtic
and made the game an interesting 2-1 score at halftime. The
second half began as if the teams changed uniforms. Celtic
was now the aggressor and had the momentum and the control
of play but missed several scoring opportunities. The GS
United defense finally adjusted to Celtics attack up their
left side and the game balanced off into a see-saw battle
with both teams playing outstanding defense. The game ended
with an obvious all out do or die attack from Celtic,
throwing everyone in attack in an effort to avoid
elimination but time was not on their side, it was too
late. G.S United won 2-1 in a game that was won in the first
half of play and highly competitive. GS United is a regular
participant of Caribbean Stars activities (schedule permit)
and will be featured by Caribbean Stars at the end of the
2005 season.
Two Scarborough united
women’s teams were
up next on the Family Day program, the Strikers and the All
Stars. The game was well played and definitely changed the
atmosphere of the Family Day to a level which was well
received with lots of applause, support and encouragement
for the players. The atmosphere changed quickly from
the must win of the GS United Ontario Cup game, to the
complements of nice pass, and loud cheering. The game was
close from the get go and Strikers eventually won the tight
contest 2-1. At the end of the game at the announcement of
the teams the crowd responded with a loud applause in
appreciation of the effort and energy spent.
The featured game
of the Sunday program was between the
Caribbean All Stars of the Toronto Caribbean Soccer League (TCSL)
of the Toronto Caribbean Soccer League (TCSL) and the
Toronto Lynx of the United Soccer League (USL) This game
displayed soccer at its highest in the community
and was very entertaining. It also left everyone
pleasantly surprised with the talent of the All Star team.
The game was played at a fast pace with some amazing
individual skills. Toronto Lynx were forced to match the
quickness of the Stars team and did a commendable job. The
Caribbean community was hopeful of seeing this type
of energy and quickness from the Lynx during the early part
of their USL season. They (Lynx) eventually proved to be the
superior team and went on to win the game by a 2-1 score.
Good things will happen if the Toronto Lynx play the brand
of soccer they displayed at the Sports and Family Day
Sateba
TCSL 2005 League Winners
Toronto
Caribbean Soccer League has a new League Champion in the
young and talented Sateba team.
