June 16, 2017 League 1 Ontario--Men's West Teams Looking To Dominate East Side In Crossover Phase Of Schedule (from League 1 Ontaro website)
Men's West Teams Looking To Dominate East Side In Crossover Phase Of Schedule 06/16/2017, 6:15pm EDT By League1 Ontario staff With the advent of Matchweek Eight, League1 men's teams have reached an important milestone of the season - the first round of competition played exclusively within their own division has concluded, and the beginning of an eight match crossover period played against opponents from their counterpart division will begin. With only the champion of each respective men's division moving on to play a one-match season final for the League1 Ontario Championship at the end of the season, the performance of teams in the first two phases of the season is crucial to determining title contenders. Several teams in both the east and west divisions have shown strong form in the early going, and a quick look at the top five is warranted. West Division: With what appears to be a return to the form that brought them the 2015 League1 Ontario title in only their first season, Oakville Blue Devils are currently top of the men's west division after a run of 6 wins - 1 loss and 0 draws. The Blue Devils started their season with a home loss against powerhouse side Sigma FC, but quickly recovered their footing with a tough 1-0 away result in Windsor, a 3-2 comeback victory over TFC III and then a solid run of 3-0, 1-0, 1-0, 6-1 defeats of FC London, North Miss, Sanjaxx and Pro Stars. The Devils have shown consistency both on the road and at home, but with four matches of their first seven played at home ground Sheridan College the club is well set up for continuity in the crossover set of matches that also has them home for four of seven. Visitors Durham United (July 2), Woodbridge Strikers (July 16) and a resurgent Masters Saints (July 30) sides will need to be managed very carefully, as well difficult away trips to North Toronto Nitros (June 25) and Vaughan Azzurri (July 23), if the Devils are to come out of the middle phase of the season with title hopes intact. Devils' forward Felipe Vilela set a club record with four goals in the team's match against Pro Stars, and if this means the 2015 Golden Boot winner is gathering form - the Devils will be very good money for results in the upcoming frame. A dramatic two goal set from young striker Mathew Santos in their 3-2 comeback win over TFC III, and the regular good play of Anthony Novak, has also shown the club can pull goals from a variety of sources. If the club can ensure their attacking pieces fire on all cylinders, the team's league leading defensive record (only five goals conceded in league play) should ensure the Devils are on track for the late season drive to the west division title. Although second in the west division, Sigma FC is currently the only undefeated team in League1 with a record of 5 wins - 0 losses and 2 draws. Sigma can also boast the most potent offence in the league with 21 goals for. Combined with only 8 goals against, Sigma has produced the league's best goal difference as well. Two draws have marred the Mississauga academy's perfect start to the season - a 3-3 result away to Windsor TFC and a scoreless draw with FC London in their most recent match. Oakland University's Kadell Thomas leads the team with six goals, while former professionals and Canada national team products Jonathan Grant (four goals) and Giuliano Frano (three goals) are not far behind in the scoring race. Sigma had the season off to a great start with four wins on the road comprised of a 2-1, 4-1, 4-1, 6-1 set of results against Oakville, TFC III, Pro Stars and Sanjaxx, before the team dropped points with a final three match pattern that included their two draws and a 2-1 result over derby rivals North Mississauga. If one is to go simply by the position of opponent's in the table, Sigma will have a mixed start to the crossover phase of matches that begins with an in-form Masters FA (home on June 17), Toronto Skillz (away on June 25), Vaughan Azzurri (away on July 2), Aurora FC (away on July 8) and finally OSU Force (home on July 15). However, Sigma must retain their current run of form in this period if they are to challenge for the 2017 title as the set of matches that comes next is intimidating. Six back-to-back matches to bridge the crossover phase and the return to inter-divisional play will see Sigma up against North Toronto Nitros (July 23), Durham United (July 29), Oakville Blue Devils (Aug 3), Woodbridge Strikers (Aug 12), TFC III (Aug 19) and FC London (Sept 8). TFC III currently sit in third position in the west division with 13 points from a record of 4 wins - 2 losses and 1 draw. After pummelling FC London on their 2017 debut, the Junior Reds dropped points to Sigma FC (4-1 home) and Oakville Blue Devils (3-2 away) in their second and third matches and to Windsor TFC in their final match with a scoreless draw. TFC III showed a run of scoring and defensive form in their middle section with three emphatic wins over North Miss (2-1), Sanjaxx (5-0) and Pro Stars (3-0), but head coach Danny Dichio will be concerned with the mentality of his young charges when facing some of the top-ranked sides in the league at present. As one would expect with the professional club, TFC III have some outstanding individuals and in forward Ethan Beckford the team has the current top scorer in the league with a goal nearly every fifty minutes. However, in terms of goals the team is in need of supply from elsewhere. Only three other players have more than a goal to their name. Three key dates stand out in TFC III's crossover phase of matches, with back to back contests against Durham United FA (away June 23), OSU Force (away July 1) and Vaughan Azzurri (home July 8) sure to test the Junior Reds versatility. This period will set the stage for a very tough run of seven matches that overlaps the crossover phase of play and the return to inter-divisional competition: Masters (away July 22), Woodbridge (away July 30), North Toronto (home Aug 13), Sigma (away Aug 19), FC London (away Aug 27), Windsor (home Sept 10) and Oakville (home Sept 17). FC London currently ranks fourth in the west division with 11 points and a record of 3 wins - 2 losses - 2 draws. A very difficult 6-0 away loss to TFC III was quickly surmounted by wins and clean sheets against Sanjaxx Lions and North Miss, as well as a difficult 3-2 away win over Pro Stars, but a 3-0 loss to Oakville and back to back draw to finish the first phase has left the Londoners looking for consistency across the board. The southern Ontario club has found it difficult going at both ends of the park. Their ten goals for is ninth in the league overall, while their 13 goals against puts them eighth in the league on the defensive side of the game. Four players currently sit on a pair of goals each, but with only one other player with a goal to his name the team is desperately in need of a goal source. The crossover phase will have a difficult start for London also, with Vaughan Azzurri (home June 17), Woodbridge Strikers (away June 25) offering the first combination punch, and Durham United (away July 15), North Toronto (home July 28) and Masters (away Aug 12) finishing it out. With a spread of seven points separating them from the top in the west, London will need a strong return to the type of form that took them to the top of the west division and the League1 Ontario Championship Final in 2016. A scoreless draw in their last match against Sigma is something to build upon, and one expects that much will be determined in the match-up against the east division's top sides in the initial stage of the crossover phase.
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