April 6-12, 2015 - League1 Ontario Week In Review (from League 1 Ontario website)

  
April 6-12, 2015 - League1 Ontario Week In Review
. Mon Apr 13 
Written By: Staff, League1  

It's never a dull week in the land of League1.  

First of all, we have to apologize for not publishing the Men's division schedule last week.  We hit 
a slight bump in the road but, rest assured, it will be released early this week.  

We can tell you that opening weekend is May 2-3 for the Men's Division.   Our Women's division will 
kick off on May 23.

Now, on to the news of the past 7 days:


LARIN, FRANO RECORD THEIR FIRST PRO GOALS
 
Former Sigma FC stars, Cyle Larin and Giuliano Frano, both recorded their first goals as professionals 
this past weekend and both turned out to be game winners for their respective sides.

Larin, the Brampton, Ontario striker who was selected 1st overall in the 2015 MLS Superdraft by expansion 
side Orlando City FC, got the start on Sunday in Orlando's match against Portland Timbers and he promptly 
rewarded his coach's belief in the young rookie by chesting home a cross in the first half to put his side 
ahead 1-0.  That goal proved to be all the scoring Orlando would need on the day, although Brazilian star 
Kaka converted a penalty in the 2nd half to seal a 2-0 win.

One day earlier, Larin's former Sigma FC teammate, Defensive Midfielder Giuliano Frano, scored a beautiful 
goal late in the 2nd half to give USL side Sounders FC 2 a dramatic, come from behind 2-1 win over 
Portland Timbers 2.

Congratulations to both young men on their big accomplishments.


OAKVILLE BLUE DEVILS ANNOUNCE FIRST TWO SIGNINGS

Oakville Blue Devils have confirmed the club's first two player signings this past weekend.

Former Toronto Lynx PDL Captain, Taylor McNamara (pictured left), was the first to put pen to paper. 
McNamara brings two years experience at the Professional level, having played for USL side Dayton 
Dutch Lions. He is a product of the Toronto Lynx Academy program and enjoyed a successful four year 
NCAA career at the University of Albany.

Also signing was Macca Wilde (right), another former captain of the Toronto Lynx in their PDL days.  
He too is a Lynx Academy alumni and recently returned from NCAA school Lincoln Memorial University 
in Tennessee.  Wilde represented Canada at the U20 level and is also a former Oakville Soccer 
Club Junior.    

Oakville expects to announce additional signings throughout the coming week.


FRESENGA SIGNS WITH WOODBRIDGE STRIKERS 

Late on Sunday evening, Woodbridge Strikers, who finished 2nd overall in the 2014 League1 table, 
announced they have signed former Canadian International Andres Fresenga for the upcoming L1 season.

The 22 year old Fresenga featured last year for NASL side Ottawa Fury before injuries cut his 
season short.  The talented defender, who played for Nacional, Danubio and Racing Club in Uruguay 
before returning to Canada, is now back to full fitness and will bring leadership and experience 
to an already talented Strikers side.

Woodbridge will be announcing further signings in the coming week.
 

MEN'S L1 CUP DRAW RESULTS ANNOUNCED

The results of the 2015 L1 Cup Draw for the Men's Division was announced to teams on Sunday 
at league meetings held at The Ontario Soccer Centre.

For 2015, the league's 12 teams will be divided into four equal groups, with each team playing 
the other teams in their group only once each.  The top two teams from each group will advance 
to a single elimintation, quarterfinal round.

League officials confirmed that group stage matches that end in a draw after regulation time will 
proceed directly to penalties.  In the Quarter-Final, Semi-Final and Final Round, matches that end 
in a draw after 90 minutes will proceed to two 15 minute overtime periods before heading to penalties 
in the event the match is still not decided after 120 minutes. 

League officials announced to the teams that the intent is to play the L1 Cup Final during the 1st 
week of August 2015.  Exact date is TBA.

The four Men's Division L1 Cup groups break down as follows:

Group A

Kingston Clippers
Vaughan Azzurri
Master's FA Saints

Group B

ANB Futbol
Sigma FC
Oakville Blue Devils

Group C

Woodbridge Strikers
Durham United FC
Sanjaxx Lions

Group D

Windsor Stars
TFC Academy
Pro Stars FC

The opening round of Group Matches are scheduled to commence in Late May.  The Full L1 Cup Schedule 
for the Men's Division will be announced soon.  

Vaughan Azzurri are the reigning L1 Cup Champions.

The draw for Women's L1 Cup competition will take place this coming week.  Stay tuned for more details. 

back to 2015 League 1 Ontario Men's index

.

.