The 2000 Canadian Professional Soccer League season was the third season under the Canadian Professional Soccer League name. The season began on May 26, 2000 and concluded on October 1, 2000 with Toronto Croatia defeating Toronto Olympians 2-1 to claim their first CPSL Championship (known as the Primus CPSL Cup for sponsorship reasons). The final was hosted at Cove Road Stadium for the first time. Throughout the season, all eight clubs from the previous year returned, while the Olympians secured their third straight regular season title. The league received sponsorship from Primus Canada, which granted Primus naming rights to the CPSL Championship, and Vincent Ursini was appointed the CPSL Chairman.
Teams
Team City Stadium Manager Glen Shields Sun Devils Vaughan, Ontario (Thornhill) Dufferin District Field Dave Benning London City London, Ontario (Westmount) Cove Road Stadium Jurek Gebczynski North York Astros Toronto, Ontario (North York) Esther Shiner Stadium Rafael Carbajal Oshawa Flames Oshawa, Ontario (Vanier) Oshawa Civic Stadium Stan Bombino St. Catharines Wolves St. Catharines, Ontario (Vansickle) Club Roma Stadium Lucio Ianiero Toronto Croatia Toronto, Ontario (Etobicoke) Centennial Park Stadium Velimir Crljen Toronto Olympians Toronto, Ontario (Scarborough) Birchmount Stadium David Gee York Region Shooters Richmond Hill, Ontario Richmond Green Bijan Azizi
Final standings
Primus Canada CPSL Championship playoffs The top four teams qualified for a one-game semifinal that led to the championship game played on October 1 at Cove Road Stadium in London, Ontario.
Wildcard
Semifinals
Primus CPSL Championship
GK 1 Brian Bowes RB 8 Bayete SmithCB 6 Peyvand Mossavat CB 13Danny Sanna LB 5Tony Marshall (c) RM 16 Ron Belfon CM 9 Elvis Thomas CM 23 Eddy Berdusco LM 2 Rick Titus ST 17 Darren Tilley ST 11 Gus Kouzmanis Substitutes:GK 22Lee Burrows DF 4 Stevie Gill DF 7John McNeil FW 10John Matas MF 15 Louie Katsavrias FW 18 Phil Capporella Manager: David Gee
GK 1 George AzcurraRB 22 Robert FranCB 19 Josip DraganicCB 5 Milodrag AkmadzicLB 3 Ervin Ryta RM 18 Tony Preci CM 6 Chris Handsor CM 7Denny DraganicLM 4 Domagoj Sain CF 9Leo Marasovic CF 10 Tomislav Granic Substitutes:DF 15Robert Mandekic MF 17Peter Bedenikovic MF 14 Velimir Crljen Manager: Velimir Crljen
Assistant referees: Steve Cahoon Justin Pasev Fourth official: Ogi Panich
2000 scoring leaders Full article: CSL Golden Boot Position Player's name Nationality Club Goals 1 Gus Kouzmanis Canadian Toronto Olympians 31 2 Leo Marasovic Canadian Toronto Croatia 13 3 Eddy Berdusco Canadian Toronto Olympians 12 4 Gary McGuchan Canadian St. Catharines Wolves 11 5 Carlo Arghittu Canadian St. Catharines Wolves 10 6 Jimmy Kuzmanovski Canadian Oshawa Flames 9 7 Paul Moore Canadian Toronto Croatia 9 8 Elvis Thomas Canadian Toronto Olympians 9 9 Frank Zumpano Canadian St. Catharines Wolves 8 10 John Matas Canadian Toronto Olympians 8
CPSL Executive Committee The 2000 CPSL Executive Committee. PositionNameNationalityChairman: Vincent Ursini CanadianDirector of Operations: Chris Bellamy CanadianDirector of Discipline: Clifford Dell CanadianDirector of Officials: Tony Camacho Portuguese
Individual awards The annual CPSL awards ceremony was held on October 1, 2000 after the CPSL Championship final at the German Canadian Club in London, Ontario. Where for the second straight season the Toronto Olympians went home with the most awards with 3 wins. Kouzmanis became the first player to win the Golden Boot more than once and continues to hold that distinction. Olympian veteran Bayete Smith was named the Defender of the Year for his contribution for helping the club achieve the best defensive record. Their final award was their second straight Fair Play award for being the most disciplined team throughout the season.
The league chose former NPSL and USL A-League veteran Willy Giummarra of the York Region Shooters as its MVP. The Goalkeeper of the Year was given to Piotr Libicz, a former NPSL and CNSL veteran. After managing the St. Catharines Roma Wolves to second place finish behind Toronto with only a lower goal differential Lucio Ianiero was chosen as the Coach of the Year. Jimmy Kuzmanovski of the Oshawa Flames broke London City's four year hold on the Rookie of the Year award. For his efforts Steve Cahoon went home with the Referee of the Year award. Award Player (Club) CPSL Most Valuable Player Willy Giummarra (York Region Shooters) CPSL Golden Boot Gus Kouzmanis (Toronto Olympians) CPSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award Piotr Libicz (North York Astros) CPSL Defender of the Year Award Bayete Smith (Toronto Olympians) CPSL Rookie of the Year Award Jimmy Kuzmanovski (Oshawa Flames) CPSL Coach of the Year Award Lucio Ianiero (St. Catharines Roma Wolves) CPSL Referee of the Year Award Steve Cahoon CPSL Fair Play Award Toronto Olympians
References
External links Rocket Robin's Home Page of the 2000 CPSL Season