Bobby Graham of the CSL Second Division new entry Winstars Shooters is celebrating these days after having one of his earlier players dress for Benfica in the Europa Cup Final played May 14. Toronto-born Steven Vitoria played for Woodbridge Strikers 2004 and 2005 before signing for FC Porto of Portugal and following a series of loans the centre back signed a four-year contract for Benfica on June 16, 2013. Vitoria was a substitute for Benfica in their penalty kick loss to Sevilla in the final and was the second player coached by Graham to play for the Portuguese team. Fernando Aguiar played for the Winston Academy director who coached the Wexford team in 1987. Aguiar went on to sign for Toronto Blizzard, then Maritimo of Portugal and eventually, Benfica.
Former CSL player Atiba Hutchinson, has been selected to play against Bulgaria in Ritzing on May 23 and Muldova in Mauer, Austria on May 27. The talented midfielder was born in North York, played most of his early soccer in Brampton and eventually played for the CSL’s York Region Shooters organization before being selected for Canada and has since made 69 appearances for his country.
Thiago Freire is a young Brazilian who just graduated from the Sport Management Program at Humber College in Toronto and as part of the program worked his internship at the CSL office during 2013. While at CSL headquarters he said his dream is to one day be appointed president of the Brazilian Football Federation. Thiago Freire has made a good start in being accepted to work for the Marketing Team at the upcoming 2014 World Cup and leaves for Brazil on May 28. Thiago has just completed a term with the Local Organizing Committee of the 2015 Pan American Games. “I was able to use the skills I learned with the Canadian Soccer League, so I would like to thank you guys once again for giving me the opportunity to work in the CSL and work with my passion sport, it taught me many things and I’m collecting the benefits today,” he explained recently.
