The 1996 Canadian National Soccer League season was the seventy-fourth season for the Canadian National Soccer League. The season began on May 31, 1996, and concluded on October 27, 1996, with Toronto Italia defeating St. Catharines Wolves in a two-game series for the CNSL Championship. St. Catharines managed to secure their fourth league cup title after finishing first in the tournament standings.

Overview The membership in the league increased to seven teams with three new entries. The league expanded to the Oakville territory with the addition of the Oakville Canadian Westerns, and the acceptance of Toronto Supra from the Canadian International Soccer League (Puma League). The North York Talons represented the Caribbean Community in the Greater Toronto Area. The Hamilton White Eagles departed to join the Canadian International Soccer League, and the Toronto Jets merged with Toronto Italia.

Toronto Italia, under new ownership, transferred its home venue to Rainbow Creek Stadium in Woodbridge, Vaughan. Italia also managed to recruit Diego Maradona for the CNSL All-Star match. In the league's executive branch, Peter Li Preti served as president, and Michael Di Biase as commissioner.

Teams TeamCityStadiumManagerLondon CityLondon, OntarioCove Road StadiumSteve RoneyNorth York TalonsNorth York, OntarioEsther Shiner StadiumTrevor Dennis Oakville Canadian WesternsOakville, OntarioSheridan CollegeMike PalmiottaScarborough AstrosScarborough, Ontario Birchmount Stadium Jorge ArmuaSt. Catharines WolvesSt. Catharines, Ontario (Vansickle)Club Roma StadiumMark KonertToronto ItaliaVaughan, OntarioRainbow Creek StadiumPeter PinizzottoToronto SupraToronto, Ontario Lamport Stadium

Final standings

Playoffs

Semifinals

St. Catharines won the series 2–1 on aggregate.

Toronto won the series 6–4 on aggregate.

Finals

GK 1 Joe Ciaravino RB 2 John AnnisiCB 5 Tom Perks CB 4 Richard Alexander LB 3 Franco SpadafinaRM 20 Nick Maxwell CM 6Jack Zomparelli LM 7Miguel Ferreira ST 12Anthony Zanini ST 10 Lalo Maradona ST 8 Ryan Gamble Substitutes:DF 18 Lou Fiaccola MF 11 Marco Antonucci MF 16 Garvin Houston MF 23 Phil Caporella Manager: Peter Pinizzotto

GK 1 Dino Perri RB 3 McIver Broomes CB 2 John McNeilCB 9 Peyvand Mossavat LB 15 Jerry Cipriani RM 20 Tom Bernardi CM 19 Anton SkerrittLM 8 Rick Titus ST 9 Paul Moore ST 14Gary Bryan ST 25 Carlo Arghittu Manager: Dino Perri

Assistant referees: Bill Teeuwen Norma Clark Toronto won 11–0 on aggregate.

Cup The cup tournament was a separate contest from the rest of the season, in which all seven teams took part. All the matches were separate from the regular season. Teams played each other once, home and away, in the Cup competition, and the first-place team would win the Cup competition. One match involving Toronto Italia and London City failed to materialize, but was of no consequence as St. Catharines Wolves accumulated enough points to secure the title.

Standings

Matches

All-Star game The all-star team assembled by the league was limited in its selection of players due to St. Catharines and Oakville protesting the allowance of their players. As St. Catharines had earlier participated in a European tour and their players required the necessary rest. Toronto Italia were selected as the opposition, and managed to attract Diego Maradona to play alongside his brother, Lalo Maradona. The match was commemorated as the 75th anniversary of the league, and advertised as one of Diego Maradona's final matches. The reported payoff to Maradona was $40,000, with Boca Juniors receiving a share due to ownership of player rights. An additional $15,000 was charged if reporters wished to conduct an interview, and the league insured Maradona for five million dollars.

GK 1 Paulo Silva RB 2 Leonardo SimonCB 3 Rene MartinCB 4John DiBuono LB 17Paul Hillman RM 5 Leo Lopez CM 7Tony Tavares CM 8Alex Nardi LM 10 Adolfo Mella ST 16 John Bottineau ST 14Gus Kouzmanis Substitutes:GK 12Milan Popov DF 24 Tonino Commisso DF 25Gerald Gallacher MF 11Lincoln Williams MF 6 Ian Bryan FW 9 Luan Jonuzi FW 13 Anthony Dominique

GK 1 Joe Ciaravino RB 3 Franco Spadafina CB 4 Richard Alexander CB 5 Tom Perks LB 2 John Annisi RM 11 Marco Antonucci CM 9 Lalo Maradona CM 10 Diego Maradona LM 6Jack Zomparelli CF 22 Michele Gioia CF 23 Phil Caporella Substitutes:GK 00Mike Ivancescu DF 7 Miguel Ferreira DF 18 Lou Fiaccola MF 16 Garvin Houston MF 20Nick Maxwell FW 12Antony Zanini FW 8 Ryan Gamble Manager: Peter Pinizotto

Individual awards The annual Canadian National Soccer League awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Princess Banquet Hall in Vaughan, Ontario, with an attendance of 400 people. The majority of the awards were received by Toronto Italia, with eight recipients. After leading Toronto to an undefeated streak and a double, head coach Peter Pinizzotto was given the honor of Coach of the Year. Michele Gioia was named both the MVP and Golden Boot winner consequently, the following season, he was signed by the Montreal Impact in the USISL A-League. For the second consecutive season, Joe Ciaravino received the Goalkeeper of the Year, and was also given a contract with the Toronto Lynx. The administrative branch of Toronto Italia was recognized with honors, with Joe Mallozzi winning Manager of the Year, and Pasquale Fioccola being awarded the President of the Year.

Toronto Supra came in second with two awards, with Gus Kouzmanis being named the Rookie of the Year. The Best Public Relations Director award was given to Sergio Giancola, who was later instrumental in acquiring a Major Arena Soccer League franchise in the GTA as the Mississauga MetroStars. The remainder of the awards went to North York Talons as the Most Improved, and London City as the Most Disciplined team. The Referee of the Year went to match official Manuel Orellana. Award Player (Club) CNSL Most Valuable PlayerMichele Gioia (Toronto Italia) CNSL Golden Boot Michele Gioia (Toronto Italia) CNSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award Joe Ciaravino (Toronto Italia) CNSL Rookie of the Year Award Gus Kouzmanis (Toronto Supra) CNSL Coach of the Year Award Peter Pinizzotto (Toronto Italia) CNSL Manager of the Year Award Joe Mallozzi (Toronto Italia) CNSL President of the Year Award Pasquale Fioccola (Toronto Italia) CNSL Best Public Relations Director Award Sergio Giancola (Toronto Supra) CNSL Referee of the Year Award Manuel Orellana CNSL Most Improved Team Award North York Talons CNSL Most Disciplined Team Award London City

References

External links RSSSF - 1996 CNSL page thecnsl.com - 1996 season