PICTURE: Milos Kocic going down in CONCACAF Champions League play quarterfinal match won 2-1 by Toronto FC over LA Galaxy. Photographer: Michael Janosz
Former England goalkeeper Joe Corrigan was holding a coaching session for about 40 young would-be goalkeepers on a warm Sunday afternoon at Keelsedale Park in Toronto’s west-end some years ago, and made a loud declaration “If you are not brave, you should stop trying to be a goalie now.”
The subject of bravery returned a few days ago when a Serbian White Eagles fan commented that goalkeeper Milos Kocic was a brave goalkeeper years ago, always ready to go down in the path of a speedy forward determined to get there first in a 50-50 ball situation, often at the end of a breakaway.
Kocic was one of Canada’s better goalkeepers, last played competitively in 2015 before retiring at 30 after making his mark with a promising career in Europe, then impressively in North America.
Unexpectedly, Kocic entered the field for Serbian White Eagles in the team’s last game of the regular season played at Centennial Stadium on October 2 and explained some days later following an indoor session: “I retired from playing back in 2015 to spend more time with my family, but I still enjoy the game and was encouraged to come back,” said the Serbian-born Kocic.
A youth international with Serbia and Montenegro, Kocic moved to the United States in 2005 and excelled in college soccer at Maryland where in 2008 he was named to the All-American Second team. He was drafted by DC United of Major League Soccer, while at the same time he was contacted by Red Star Belgrade where there was serious interest in a signing.
Kocic decided to stay in North America and in 2009 was signed by Toronto FC making his debut against Vancouver Whitecaps on June 2, 2010. Following a period on loan to Serbian White Eagles in the CSL, Kocic played 37 games for Toronto FC through to the 2012 season. A stint with Portland Timbers of MLS followed, then a signing by ETO FC Gyor, a top club in Hungary.
An imposing 6’ 4” in height, Kocic is anxious to be involved in the playoffs but a shoulder injury puts in doubt his appearance for Serbian White Eagles in the quarterfinal match against SC Waterloo at RIM Park on Saturday, while SC Waterloo GM Vojislav Brisevac reports his squad is healthy and looking forward to the match.
Samad Kadirov, general manager of CSL defending champions FC Vorkuta, says key player Pavlo Chornomaz has fully recovered from a groin injury and his crew is fit and ready for the quarterfinal against Kingsman.
CSL Championship – Quarterfinals
Saturday, October 12 Ontario Soccer Centre 6 pm FC Vorkuta vs Kingsman A
Saturday, October 12 Birchmount Stadium 6 pm Scarborough SC vs CSC Mississauga
Saturday, October 12 RIM Park 7 pm SC Waterloo vs Serbian White Eagles
Sunday, October 13 Centennial Stadium 4 pm FC Ukraine United vs Hamilton City
Second Division Championship – Quarterfinals
The two top teams in the regular season standings, FC Vorkuta B and Serbian White Eagles B, gain a bye to the semifinals
Quarterfinal games:
Tuesday, October 15 Hershey Centre 9 pm CSC Mississauga B vs Brantford Galaxy B
Tuesday, October 15 Esther Shiner Stadium 9 pm Kingsman B vs Hamilton City B