SOCCER BACK IN FULL VOICE FOR CIVIC HOLIDAY GAME
The holiday weekend schedule in both divisions
When Serbian White Eagles kickoff against Hamilton City at Centennial Stadium in Toronto’s west end Friday night the immediate vicinity, or perhaps a little beyond, will be well aware a soccer match is taking place.
That’s because the booming, familiar voice of Enio Perruzza will be heard announcing every player taking part and the important statistics and additional information the fans need to know in an event known for many decades as CSL pro soccer.
The game Friday night, August 3, 2018, is number 3,527 for Perruzza since his first time behind the microphone at an official CSL game involving Toronto Blizzard 32 years ago on August 3, 1986.
While the Canadian Soccer League has been Perruzza’s favourite league over the years, announcements and commentary have involved all levels of soccer in southern Ontario. From the academy game to top level professional soccer, from visiting teams such as Benfica from Portugal and Red Star Belgrade from Serbia, to the Italian National Military Team and the Mexican U-20 National Team – which saw many of the players move on to the World Cup – have all been announced locally by the Italian-born Perruzza.
There are dozens of important cup and championship matches, mostly in the CSL, but also 20 Ontario Cup semifinals and 18 finals.
Perruzza, 52, is back in fine voice for Friday’s match following heart by-pass surgery earlier this year. After calling a few warm-up games, the voice of CSL soccer moves into the second half of the season with the playoffs and key championship competition looming large in the coming weeks.
The Serbian White Eagles vs Hamilton City First Division game at Centennial Stadium Friday night, a 7 pm kickoff, starts the Civic Holiday weekend games and will be followed by Real Mississauga vs FC Ukraine United at the Hershey Centre, an 8.30 pm start on Friday. On Saturday it’s SC Waterloo vs CSC Mississauga, a 6.30 pm kickoff at RIM Park and FC Vorkuta vs Scarborough SC at Esther Shiner Stadium. That’s a 7 pm kickoff.
There are three CSL Second Division matches scheduled during the holiday weekend, with Serbian White Eagles B at home to Halton United B, a 9 pm kickoff at Centennial Stadium on Friday, to be followed on Saturday with Scarborough B vs FC Vorkuta B, a 1 pm kickoff at the OSA Soccer Centre Stadium, and on Sunday it’s Brantford Galaxy B vs Milton B at Lions Park, that’s a 6 pm start.