It’s been two years and 41 games since London City defeated Portuguese Supra on August 10, 2007 and while there have been many ties and near misses, a victory has been elusive until Friday night.
“My team is celebrating in the dressing room and it’s such a load of their shoulders and mine,” said Ryan Gauss, the CEO and general manager of London City immediately following the final whistle of the 6-3 victory over TFC Academy.
Ryan Gauss took over at the most difficult time since the club was launched in 1973 when the driving force, Harry Gauss, fell seriously ill. The younger Gauss pledged to bring London City back to being a winning team.
London defender Brian Abidakun opened the scoring at six minutes and Patrick Bueno made it 2-0 at the 13th minute mark.
Forward Allando Matheson scored the first of three goals for TFC Academy at the 15 minute mark to make it 2-1, but London’s Kuba Waszkowski increased the lead to 3-1 at 18 minutes.
Matheson struck his second goal and TFC’s second for a 3-2 score at 20 minutes, Patrick Bueno scored his second for London City from the penalty spot for a 4-2 score at 29 minutes, forward Gentian Buzali made it 5-2 for London at 36 minutes, Zheger Hassan increased London’s lead to 6-2 at 40 minutes and Matheson completed his hat-trick for TFC Academy with seconds remaining to the final whistle, a 6-3 final.
Sasa Viciknez scored from his patented free kick from 30 yards, a picture goal at the 30th minute mark to put Serbian White Eagles into a 1-0 lead over North York Astros at Centennial Stadium and the goal was enough to give Serbia their 8th win in the last 9 games and assurance of a playoff spot.
It was an even contest most of the time with the Astros once again showing strong play that did not reflect a team struggling to make the playoffs.
Trois-Rivieres Attak were also officially entered into the playoffs following the 0-0 tie with Portugal FC at Lamport Stadium.
Three players were shown the red card in that game by referee Justin Tasev, who first ejected Selmir Sehic of Portugal FC and Guillaume Héroux of Trois-Rivieres when their altercation deteriorated just before half-time and Attak’s Diderot Nana was ejected following an untidy tackle that appeared to be Serious Foul Play.at the 91st minute.
Toronto Croatia was the third team to officially make the playoffs as a result of Friday night’s games.
The remaining games in the CSL this weekend are:
Sat. Aug 15 Maple 5 pm TFC Academy vs. Italia Shooters
(previously scheduled for for Sunday, Aug 16)
Sat. Aug 15 Centennial Stadium 5 pm Toronto Croatia vs.Trois-Rivieres Attak (Rogers TV – tape delayed to 8 pm)
(Previously listed for 3 pm)
Sun. Aug 16 Victoria Park 3 pm Brampton Lions vs. St. Catharines Wolves
