Fri June 17, 2016 League 1 Ontario--Previews for weekend June 17-19th (from League 1 Ontario website)

Eight Key Matches In League1 Ontario's Matchweek Eight
06/17/2016, 5:45pm EDT
By League1 Ontario staff

Matchweek seven of the League1 Ontario 2016 season produced several 
performances and results that amazed spectators, and brought further 
focus to the race for first place in all divisions. 

For matchweek eight, a variety of match-ups are set to tantalize, 
with several teams looking to regain ground and others simply 
trying to keep ambitions alive.

Below are eight matches for matchweek eight to keep a close eye on...

FC London v Woodbridge Strikers (Fri June 17, 7:30 p.m. 
@ German Canadian FC Stadium, London)

Second place in the west division after their 1-0 loss to Sigma FC 
last weekend, FC London heads home to the natural grass surface 
and consistently large home support to play host to the third place 
team in the east division - Woodbridge Strikers. 

Strikers will be looking to rebound from a 2-0 loss at the hands 
of Durham United FA in matchweek seven - a first home loss in many, 
many weeks. 

This match should be a tactical showcase as well, with Woodbridge's 
typically stingy defence sure to provide a difficult defensive block 
to breach for FC London's possessive focused game. 

Summary: If Woodbridge can hold tight defensively, they should 
be able to entice FC London forward and open up space for 
the counter. However, if FC London can bring back the tempo and 
command in possession that evaded them in their performance last 
week, an exhausted Woodbridge may begin to leave gaps defensively 
and lose the energy needed to go forward. 

Windsor Stars v Toronto Skillz (Fri June 17, 8 p.m. 
@ University of Windsor, Windsor)

Currently in third place in the west division, Windsor Stars had 
a huge announcement mid-week with their new satellite status and 
affiliation with Toronto FC Academy. One would expect the squad 
and local supporters will be on an all-time high, and bolstered 
into a weekend performance to match their new status. 

However, coming off their first point in League1, visitors 
Toronto Skillz will be happy to play spoiler on the day. 
In fairness, Skillz has shown an ability to play with the best 
in the league, only dropping points due to mid-match dips in focus 
and a weakness to set pieces. 

Summary: If Toronto Skillz head coach "Tiger" Fitzpatrick has 
improved his players' mental presence over the course of a full 
ninety minutes - mainly their focus on set pieces - this pacey 
and talented Skillz side could come home with a first win at the 
expense of the west division's third place holder. 

Kingston Clippers v Darby FC (Sun June 19, 4 p.m. 
@ Queen's University, Tindall Field, Kingston)

Kingston Clippers women took a week off in matchweek six for 
the women's division, and got some much needed rest after 
a strong start for this 2016 expansion side. An away point against 
division powerhouses Woodbridge Strikers, as well as a home win 
against 2015 L1 Cup holders North Miss, showed this Kingston 
team has got game. 

Darby FC may have wished they'd taken last weekend off, suffering 
a heavy loss to Woodbridge Strikers on a day when the wind 
made it impossible for the yong Durham region team to build 
from the back - a stylistic hallmark of the team in the 
season's early going. 

Summary: A rested Kingston has games in hand on teams ahead 
of them in the table, and a win would go a long way to solidifying 
the team's strong start. Darby FC players have one of the biggest 
challenges in the game in front of them - can they get back 
into action with even more determination and resolve, putting 
last week's result behind them, or will they bring the mental 
hangover into this match?  

North Miss v Vaughan Azzurri (Sat June 18, 6 p.m. 
@ Hershey Centre 2, Mississauga)

Two strong teams in the women's division, North Miss and 
Vaughan Azzurri have put in encouraging performances thus far 
in 2016 but have not been able to get the number of results 
needed to move them into position. 

Vaughan is arguably the in-form side of the two, showing very 
well last week in a 3-0 result over Sanjaxx Lions, two 0-0 
draws with Woodbridge Strikers and Durham United FA, 
a narrow 2-1 loss to FC London, and an opening weekend comeback 
draw with Aurora United FC.

Meanwhile, after two draws and a win in their opening three 
matches, North Miss has posted three straight losses in recent 
weeks. However, in last weekend's tilt against a well-tuned 
Durham United side, North Miss showed their quality in the 
late going, pinning Durham back and controlling play, but 
unable to get a goal.

Summary: If North Miss can pick up where they left off with 
Durham last week, Vaughan will be forced to defend for long 
periods and will not enjoy their typical dominance 
of possession. On a bouncy pitch at Hershey, Vaughan may 
find it difficult to settle the ball and find a rhythm, but 
if they come out dynamically and set the tone - they should 
be able to turn the performance into another win.

Masters FA Saints v Oakville Blue Devils (Sat June 18, 9 p.m. 
@ L'Amoreaux, Scarborough)

In what should be an extremely action-packed fixture, fourth 
in the west Oakville Blue Devils meets seventh in the east 
Master's FA Saints at L'Amoreaux in Scarborough.

The current L1O title-holders, Oakville has had a on-again 
off-again beginning to the season, but after coming off a 2-0 
win over Pro Stars last weekend the Blue Devils have reason 
to be optimistic. The club has moved into fourth position, 
and although there is considerable ground to be made 
up on the top two - it is within sight. 

Masters has been a difficult team to pin down, as a number 
of the top teams have found out. Despite losing six of their 
first seven league matches, Masters has come-back to within 
a goal of taking points in three of them. The Saints have 
also toppled Sigma FC in L1 Cup action. 

Summary: A puzzling combination of exceptionally talented 
individuals and a losing record may define Masters on paper, 
but the academy has shown it has enough in the tank to give 
any team reason for worry. Oakville's physical presence and 
attack-minded style will serve to make this one a high-octane 
affair, and with 2015 Golden Boot winner Felipe Vilela 
getting his third of the season last week - the Blue Devils 
have their biggest threat hinting at a run of form. 
Expect fireworks if Masters come to play from the opening 
whistle, or a blowout if Oakville do the same. 

North Miss v North Toronto Nitros (Sat June 18, 9 p.m. 
@ Hershey Centre 2, Mississauga)

North Miss and North Toronto have more than a name in common.

Both can brag a deep panel of young, talented players, 
with North Miss still retaining a core of players that 
won a junior national title in recent years, and 
North Toronto full of University of Toronto varsity players 
due to the club's affiliation agreement.

Further, both teams are coming off decent starts to their 
first League1 Ontario seasons. Although Nitros have managed 
three wins and one draw, North Miss have two wins and 
two draws. Both sides have played the sides with the best 
early season records in their respective divisions as well. 

Summary: North Miss had a big 3-1 win over the ever dangerous 
Toronto FC Academy last weekend, while North Toronto were 
forced to share points after a last minute goal from 
Kingston Clippers. The question will be if the Nitros 
lingering disappointment has more of an impact than 
North Miss' confidence after last week's win. A mental 
challenge for both, and guaranteed high-paced entertainment 
for the neutral.

Aurora United FC v Woodbridge Strikers (Sat June 18, 4 p.m. 
@ Sheppard's Bush, Aurora)

Aurora United women lost 4-1 to division leaders FC London 
last weekend in London, but the scoreline did not indicate 
their quality. Levelling the score just before the hour mark 
was Canada U20 midfielder Sarah Stratagakis, and it was only 
in the very late stages that Aurora lost energy and succumbed 
to London on their home grounds.

Woodbridge Strikers decided to make a lot of noise last week, 
running up an astounding 14-0 result over newcomers Darby FC. 
Striker and 2015 Golden Boot winner Jessica Lisi posted seven 
goals in the rout, while Canada WNT pool player 
Alyscha Mottershead ran up a hat-trick.

Summary: Back on home grass, Aurora will look to improve 
their final twenty minutes to a complete match performance. 
If they can do so, such a performance should result 
in a point at least. After such a massive win last weekend, 
it's hard to say which Woodbridge will come out - one with 
a hunger to add even more goals to their column, or one 
complacent from a match where everything went their way.

Toronto FC Academy v Durham United FA (Sat June 19, 1 p.m. 
@ Kia Training Grounds, Toronto)

Finally, second place in the east meets sixth place in the 
west as Durham United men travel to Downsview to take 
on Toronto FC Academy. 

Toronto FC Academy has been inconsistent in terms of getting 
results, but their performances have inspired optimism 
from all quarters. The usual rank and file of quality young 
prospects certainly have the talent, but the question 
remains week to week if Stuart Neely's young charges will 
implement the lessons learnt the week before.

Durham United has been one of the stories of the season, 
only dropping points against Vaughan Azzurri in matchweek 
five, and toppling FC London, Woodbridge, Oakville, 
among others, in either L1 Cup or league competition. 
The team has experience together, talent throughout, 
and the physicality and maturity to go the distance. 

Summary: With a weather forecast suggesting stifling heat 
and humidity, look for the team that has the most comfort 
in possession to dominate. It will be a hard day for the 
team playing too much defence. Durham's average player age 
and maturity is greater than Toronto FC Academy's, but past 
history has suggested that when the Junior Reds figure out 
how to play with high tempo and defend with 
character - watch out!  

back to 2016 League 1 Ontario Men's index

.

.