Scarborough SC went undefeated in league play last season and capped off a successful campaign by winning the CSL championship. To consider the east Toronto side’s struggle to achieve a draw against expansion team York Region Shooters in the season opener at Centennial Stadium May 29, might be considered, therefore, a shocker. Scarborough was trailing 3-1 during the second half after being down 2-0 during the first 20 minutes.
To put this in some perspective, eight players in the Scarborough line-up at kickoff were starters in the 2021 championship final which ended in a 4-1 victory over the always impressive FC Vorkuta. Midfielder Lukas Risto, who scored twice in last Sunday’s 3-3 draw was also in the championship final as a substitute.
The answer may well be a sign of things to come, that the Shooters may prove to be a handful, capable of making an early bid for honors and the recently appointed head coach, the highly regarded Sam Madeiros, can move the Shooters into that position.
Toronto Falcons held BGHC 1 to a 1-1 draw, a match which could have gone either way to suggest the Toronto side will be competitive in its professional soccer debut season under head coach Willy Giummarra. Sasa Vukovic was head coach for the experienced Brantford-Hamilton combined BGHC 1 squad in an attractive match that was in doubt until the final whistle.
While Serbian White Eagles took a 1-0 second half lead they appeared to be losing their opener with Continentals FC which overcame the deficit to lead 2-1 during the late stages. A goal by the White Eagles in the final minute of the match for a 2-2 draw was a good reflection of an even contest which included a controversial appeal by Continentals for a penalty kick, leading to a red card for dissent when the match was almost at an end.
The openers suggest a more balanced CSL for 2022.
The CSL has announced a change in the schedule for games to be played at Centennial Stadium on Saturday, June 18 and the revised three-game schedule is now:
Sat, Jun 18 2 PM Continentals FC vs Scarborough SC
Sat, Jun 18 4 PM Serbian White Eagles vs BGHC 1
Sat, Jun 18 6 PM York Region Shooters vs Toronto Falcons
The next games at Centennial Stadium are set for Sunday, June 5:
2:00 PM Toronto Falcons vs Scarborough SC
4:00 PM BGHC 1 vs Continentals FC
6:00 PM York Region Shooters vs Serbian White Eagles
Day admission for all three games is $10 Parking is free.
Stan Adamson