Raphael Silva of Toronto Tigers is not intimidated at all by his game against the CSL’s Scarborough SC in the opening match of three at Centennial Stadium Saturday afternoon. Silva is well aware that the CSL 2019 champion and finalist in 2017 and 2018 is a well-balanced side of mostly experienced professionals and now being coached by newly signed Mirko Medic, a former standout defender in Europe and a fixture in recent years with Serbian White Eagles.
“Scarborough is a very good side but we are up to it and confident,” said Silva earlier this week. Silva, and team owner Leandro Madeira are of Brazilian descent which says a great deal about confidence in football skills and attitude.
Their opening game on Saturday will kickoff at 3 pm and will be followed at 5 by BGHC 1 which is at home to FC Vorkuta. BGHC 1 is a team resulting from a merger of Brantford Galaxy and Hamilton City 1 and is under head coach Milan Prpa from the Galaxy.
The third game of opening day competition for the ProSound Cup is Serbian White Eagles vs Atletico Sporting Toronto, a 7 pm start.
The ProSound Cup is played on a league table format of 32 matches at the Etobicoke ground through to October 16. The remaining teams are St. Catharines Hrvat and Euru Academy with Euru playing its first match on Saturday, September 4 at home to BGHC 1, a 7 pm kickoff. The St. Catharines Hrvat opener will be played on Friday, September 10, a 7.45 pm kickoff.
The awarding of the ProSound Cup mid-October will be followed by the CSL Championship playoffs with the four CSL teams FC Vorkuta, Scarborough SC, Serbian White Eagles and BGHC 1 entering the semifinals, followed by the CSL Championship Final late October.
STADIUM REQUIREMENTS
On kickoff day, Saturday, August 28, a limited number of spectators are allowed into the stadium from 2.30 pm until the final whistle of the third game at approx, 9 pm. An opening day pass for all three games is available at the gate for $10.
Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed. Physical distancing is required.
Stan Adamson