Guardian-Mirror: Olympians Denied Berth in CPSL Final
by
Winnipeg Fury
Olympians denied berth in CPSL final
By SAM LASKARIS
Special to The Mirror
The Toronto Olympians ended up winning its final
game of the season.
But the common sports belief that winning your last
match often means winning a championship did not come into play for the Canadian
Professional Soccer League team (CPSL).
The Scarborough-based squad,
which plans to move to Mississauga next season, downed the Ottawa Wizards 5-2 in
the consolation final of the CPSL's playoff tournament, which concluded Sunday
in St. Catharines.
The host St. Catharines Roma Wolves captured the
championship final blanking the Toronto Supra 1-0.
The Olympians were
denied the opportunity to challenge for the title after they were edged 3-2 in
overtime by the Supra in the semifinal match Saturday.
David Gee,
Olympians coach and general manager said neither his side nor the Ottawa players
gave it their all in the consolation final.
"It was a real exhibition
type of a contest," he said. "No team really wants to come play in a game like
that when you've lost the chance to go to the championship final the day
before."
Gee said he was also disappointed none of his players picked up
an award at the CPSL's banquet, held in St. Catharines after the championship
final.
"I'm very surprised we didn't take anything," Gee
said.
Three of Olympian players had been nominated for awards. Danny
Sanna was up for the MVP trophy, Tony Marshall was in the running for the top
defender award and Brian Bowes had been nominated for the best goaltender
trophy.
Though the CPSL season is now complete, Gee said he's hoping his
side plays one more game.
That's because he is still protesting the way
the CPSL's Cup tournament was handled earlier this month in Ottawa.
The
host Wizards captured the Cup trophy by beating Toronto Supra 1-0 in the
final.
But Gee is hoping to have that result wiped out saying the Toronto
Supra had apparently used three ineligible players in their 2-1 semifinal
victory over the Olympians.
Gee wants a replay of the Cup final between
his side and Ottawa.
The fiery coach also said CPSL officials rejected
his protest last week, arguing he didn't file it in time and that he didn't
submit the appropriate protest fee.
But Gee is planning to take his case
to the Ontario Soccer Association, the governing body of soccer in the province.
And if need be, he'll plead his case to the Canadian Soccer
Association.
"I will get my day in court," he said. "I will not rest
until it's been dealt with. If the OSA will not hear it, then I will take it to
the CSA. Somebody has got to tell me I'm either right or I'm
wrong."
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