It will take more than the crystal ball to forecast the winner of the ProSound Cup final between FC Vorkuta and Scarborough SC set for Centennial Stadium this coming Sunday.
No amount of play by play analysis, match statistical data, expert opinions or surveys will give even a hint of how the match will develop and only the very brave will forecast a result.
Both teams ended the regular season undefeated. It was a 1-1 draw when the teams met on September 25.
History might give FC Vorkuta an edge, after the team with a name from a community close to the arctic circle in northern Russia started playing for almost a decade in the comfortable confines of Toronto amateur soccer before in 2017 taking a bold step into the tough professional Canadian Soccer League.
The move, taken by Russian immigrants Samad Kadirov and Toronto lawyer Igor Demitchev, met with unprecedented success. An opening game in the team’s inaugural 2017 season produced a winning 7-0 result, leading a to a season-end First Division title, followed by a CSL Championship victory the following year to cause a distinct buzz in the soccer community. The titles have kept coming and the Vorkuta buzz continues.
Scarborough SC has taken an earlier and different path to success in the CSL since former Waterloo Region player Kiril Dimitrov became the driving force to return professional soccer to the east Toronto community. Dimitrov did that in 2014 after starting his professional career in his native Bulgaria, came to Canada to sign for the CSL’s Serbian White Eagles in 2009 and was transferred to SC Waterloo in 2014. Then came the launch of Scarborough in the CSL.
Scarborough kicked off its new venture in 2015, to make gradual step by step progress which included championship finals in 2017, 2018 and 2020 and winning the CSL Championship in 2019. A First Division league title also came in 2020.
As with FC Vorkuta, these achievements by Scarborough in such a short time span have been remarkable entries in the historic records of a league that stretches back 86 years.
Perhaps coaching, those crucial tactical and player decisions during the match, will decide the winner of the inaugural ProSound trophy. Both clubs have been blessed with good coaching skills and much credit must go to Samad Kadirov, who has now departed from the organization after steering the team through many victories from the touch line.
Denys Yanchuk’s strong role in the FC Vorkuta success story and Sunday’s match should not be underestimated. Victor Raskov may be charged with giving the team direction in the final.
Head coach Ricardo Munguia Perez was prominent early for Scarborough SC, but the successful seasons had Kiril Dimitrov, Krum Bibishkov and Zoran Rajovic all involved in the technical and coaching side of the organization until Mirko Medic assumed the head coach role this season. Medic is recognized for his strong play on defence mostly for Serbian White Eagles in the CSL and was voted CSL Defender of the Year in 2009 and in 2016 was appointed manager. His presence with Scarborough on Sunday is considered a strong factor for the east Toronto side.
It should be spectacular is the only safe forecast.
Stan Adamson
The ProSound Cup Final will be played at Centennial Stadium on Sunday, October 24, a 7 pm kickoff. There will be an admission charge of $10.
Fans are reminded that as an outdoor activity, all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.
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.
