March 2, 2011 CSL Update While Counting Down to Kickoff (from CSL news release)
CSL UPDATE WHILE COUNTING DOWN TO KICKOFF
North York Astros have taken a number of players to Argentina for tryouts, Brantford Galaxy president Bosko Borjan has more than a championship team to be proud of, and a service for Ruben Toro will be held this coming Friday, March 4, some of the pre-season news in the Canadian Soccer League while teams count down to kickoff early May
The CSL's North York Astros have taken a number of players to Argentina where they will take part is showcase events at Buenos Aires. The players will be mostly from the CSL team's developmental roster and are expected to be in South America until late March.
Bosko Borjan was one of the principals in launching Brantford's first ever journey into professional soccer when he entered his Brantford Galaxy into the CSL to kickoff the 2010 season. He then astounded the soccer community by delivering an encore – the CSL championship in the team's inaugural year - the Galaxy defeated Hamilton Croatia 3-0 for the CSL title last October 31
The proud, but unassuming Borjan is showing even more pride after his son, Milan Borjan, was selected and decided to play for Canada. The outstanding goalkeeper, with club experience in South America, had an opportunity to represent Serbia, a more prominent team in world soccer. Milan Borjan, 23, played his first senior international for the Canadian national team against Greece at Larissa, Greece on February 9, 2011.
Following the death of Ruben Toro in his native Colombia on February 15, it has been announced that a service for the popular member of the York Region Shooters team staff will be held this coming Friday, March 4. The service for Rueben, who was a member of the CSL championship-winning Brampton Hitmen in 2003, will be held at the Andrews Community Funeral Centre, 8190 Dixie Road, Brampton on Friday between 7 and 9 pm. That's just north of Steeles Avenue.
There is a growing list of CSL players being selected for one of Canada's national teams with five players from TFC Academy and four players Montreal Impact Academy in the squad for the 2011 CONCACAF Men's Under 17 Championship in Montego Bay, Jamaica on February 27. Canada was defeated 3-0 by the USA, but that meant a silver medal after qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico June 18 to July 10. The players selected were Parker Seymour, Keven Aleman, Jay Chapman, Michael Petrasso and Dylan Carreiro of Toronto FC, and Maxime Crepeau, Ismail Benomar, Marco Lapenna, Shadrack Mmunga of Montreal Impact Academy. Players from North York Astros, Portugal FC (now SC Toronto), Toronto Croatia, Serbian White Eagles, Milltown FC, Trois-Rivieres Attak and Brampton City Utd have been recent selections from the CSL, to mention just part of a more complete list to be published on the CSL website soon.
Brampton City Utd reserve team goalkeeper Adam Janssen training at Los Angeles with Canada's Under 23 team reports to coach Michael DiMatteo recent games against the USA Men's Team and LA Galaxy, all part of the camp.
Back to the current CSL champions, Brantford Galaxy continues to be busy in their community when on February 23 they sponsored Pink Shirt Day to help create an awareness in school about the seriousness of bullying. Galaxy players Ranko Golijanin and Jake Simmons told hundreds of pupils how strong they were by coming out against bullying in an enormous display of pink shirts, scarves, pants and signs.
The Galaxy took a further step in community player development by releasing plans to interface local youth soccer to the CSA's Long Term Development Plan (LTPD). Bosko Borjan introduced the Galaxy technical team to move the program, including head coach Lazo Dzepina and player Ranko Golijanin, who is UEFA Certified. Others in the technical team are coaches Brad Hammill, Tomo Dancetovic, Tennyson Ulysse and Brendon Ulysse, Peter Pomponio and Carmine Romano. Present at the recent meeting were president Drew Campbell and David Wray of Brant County Recreational Soccer and Galaxy's Andrew Pilkington, who is the chairperson for the Brantford Galaxy Youth Soccer Club.
“The Galaxy has now connected a program that will see the development of players from tots to teens,” said Gerry Crnic, managing director of the Galaxy. “Identified players will join the Galaxy youth program and then will have the opportunity to excel in the Canadian Soccer League youth development program.”
2011 Canadian Soccer League
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