Mirror-Guardian:
Supra Aim to Regain Stride
Supra aim to regain stride
Etobicoke
Hans Niedermair,
Guardian Sports
Jul. 17, 2002
Toronto's municipal strike could not
come at a worse time for the Toronto Supra of the Canadian Professional Soccer
League.
Not only did it force the Etobicoke-based team to postpone its
games, it also grounded its confidence levels as well.
"Our momentum
died when the strike came," said Supra head coach Carmine Isacco.
Isacco
said his team's last game before the strike, a 2-2 tie against the St.
Catherine's Roma Wolves on June 19, was the team's best game of the season.
The coach said the Supra, whose record stands at 1-2-1, could have
easily won the game, were it not for quite a few bad bounces.
In
addition, the team has dealt with a lot of player changes since last season.
"We've picked up quite a number of new players this season, so the team
hasn't really gelled together yet," said Supra general manager Victor Cameira.
"Having not played in three weeks hasn't helped. In St. Catherine's we really
started to play well as a unit. It's still going to take a little while for the
team to come together."
Cameira said that the team has had its share of
bad luck as well, as in the 3-2 loss against the Mississauga Olympians on June
7, where the Supra were dealt four red cards.
"The officiating hasn't
been very helpful so far," Cameira said.
Still, first-year coach Isacco
has confidence that his lineup can take the Supra all the way this year. The
Supra lost 1-0 in the Rogers Cup Final last season against St. Catharines.
"I think we just need to find a system that everyone is comfortable with
and have everyone know their role," Isacco said. "If we compete with the team
and the individuals we have and just organize it on the field, we should be able
to win every game."
"The skill and the experience on this team on paper
is by far better than anyone else in the league. A lot of our players have
earned respect over the years, but they have to keep earning that respect.
You're only as good as your next game."
Isacco said that some of the
standout players this season include defender and team captain Jason Farias, who
he said has been "the Rock of Gibraltar" with his consistent play, as well as
striker Ryan Gamble, who the coach said has earned plenty of scoring chances so
far.
The Supra will try to regain their groove when they play on Friday
against the Vaughan Sun Devils at Etobicoke's Centennial Stadium at 8:30 p.m.
For ticket information call 416-251-6680.
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