The 1972 National Soccer League season was the forty-ninth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in October with the Canadian Open Cup final. Toronto Croatia successfully defended its regular-season title for the third consecutive season with an undefeated regular-season streak. Toronto would also defeat the Serbian White Eagles for the NSL Cup. The Croatians would secure a treble by winning the Open Canada Cup against Vancouver Columbus. In the playoffs, Toronto Italia defeated the Serbian White Eagles for the NSL Championship.
Overview The ownership of the National Soccer League (NSL) was in discussions with the British Columbia Premier League to form a western division, but the project failed to materialize. The membership in the NSL increased to 15 clubs with the return of Toronto Italia and the acceptance of the Hamilton Italo-Canadians, which competed in the Inter-City Soccer League. The return of Toronto Italia further intensified the rivalry between the NSL and the Toronto Metros of the North American Soccer League, as the Italian diaspora played a decisive factor in the potential increase in match attendance. Another point of contention between the Metros and the NSL was a dispute stemming from a potential player raid on the NSL's youth division. The Hamilton club was granted an NSL franchise and had credentials in the Inter-City Soccer League. After a change in ownership, the Kitchener-based club was renamed Maple Leafs.
The league became once more centered in Southern Ontario as it lost its presence in Northern Ontario with the departure of Sudbury City. The NSL began to experience an increase in match attendance since its initial decrease and stagnation in the mid-1960s.
Teams TeamCityStadiumManagerHamilton ApollosHamilton, OntarioIvor Wynne StadiumOtto NegoveticHamilton CroatiaHamilton, OntarioIvor Wynne StadiumJoe DundovicHamilton Italo-CanadiansHamilton, OntarioIvor Wynne StadiumFiorigi PagliusoLondon German CanadiansLondon, OntarioCove Road StadiumOttawa TigersOttawa, OntarioSt. Joseph's High SchoolManuel RamalhoSerbian White EaglesToronto, OntarioStanley Park StadiumDragan PopovićKitchener Maple LeafsKitchener, OntarioCentennial StadiumNobert EnglischSt. Catharines HeidelbergSt. Catharines, OntarioClub Heidelberg FieldEddie Brown Toronto CroatiaToronto, OntarioStanley Park StadiumVladimir ŠimunićToronto First PortugueseToronto, OntarioCNE Stadium Stanley Park StadiumLuis VilasToronto HellasToronto, OntarioStanley Park StadiumToronto HungariaToronto, OntarioStanley Park StadiumToronto ItaliaToronto, OntarioCNE Stadium Stanley Park StadiumLuis DaboToronto Olympia Toronto, OntarioStanley Park StadiumToronto UkrainiansToronto, OntarioStanley Park Stadium
Coaching changes TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming coachDate of appointment Toronto Croatia Alan HarveyEnd of caretaker spellMay 1, 1972Gordan IrovićMay 4, 1972 Hamilton Apollos Andy PollackResigned May 17, 1972Otto NegoveticMay 17, 1972Toronto Croatia Gordan IrovićReplaced May, 19721st in May Vladimir ŠimunićMay 29, 1972Kitchener Maple LeafsHans KoebliReplaced July 15, 1972Nobert EnglischJuly 15, 1972
Standings
Playoffs Finals
Canadian Open Cup The Canadian Open Cup was a tournament organized by the National Soccer League in 1971, where the NSL champion would face the Challenge Trophy winners to determine the best team throughout the country. Toronto Croatia was the NSL representative for the second consecutive year, while their opponents were the British Columbia Premier League champions, Vancouver Columbus. New Westminster Blues was the 1972 Challenge Trophy winner, but declined the invitation, which allowed Vancouver Columbus to compete for the title.
References
External links RSSSF CNSL page thecnsl.com - 1972 season