2019 Canadian Soccer League season

The 2019 Canadian Soccer League season was the 22nd season under the Canadian Soccer League name. The season started on May 19, 2019, and concluded on October 26, 2019, with the CSL Championship final.[1] Fixtures for the 2019 season were announced on April 30, 2019.[2] The final consisted of Scarborough SC defeating FC Ukraine United at Centennial Park Stadium in Toronto, Ontario to claim their first championship title.[3] The First Division title went to FC Vorkuta along with the Second Division title, and championship.[4] The single new addition to the First Division was Kingsman SC, and the departures occurred in the Second Division with Halton United, London City, and Milton SC becoming founding members of the Canadian Academy of Soccer League (CASL).

Canadian Soccer League
Season2019
DatesMay 19 – October 5 (regular season)
October 12 – October 26 (playoffs)
ChampionsFC Vorkuta (First Division regular season)
Scarborough SC (First Division playoffs, 1st title)
Matches played90
Goals scored374 (4.16 per match)
Top goalscorerMykola Temnyuk (18)
Biggest home winFC Vorkuta 7–2 CSC Mississauga
(June 8, 2019)
FC Vorkuta 7–0 SC Real Mississauga
(June 15, 2019)
Biggest away winReal Mississauga SC 1–8 CSC Mississauga
(August 3. 2019)
Longest winning run8 matches
FC Vorkuta
Longest unbeaten run18 matches
FC Vorkuta
Longest winless run4 matches
Brantford Galaxy
Longest losing run6 matches
Brantford Galaxy
2018
2020

Summary

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Scarborough SC was the highlight of the season as they claimed their first CSL Championship after two previous consecutive attempts at the title.[5][6] Throughout the regular season, the eastern Toronto team were the consistent challengers to Vorkuta and finished as runners-up in the First Division.[7] They retained the services of Zoran Rajović as head coach and continued in the status quo of acquiring imports in maintaining competitiveness with the major clubs.[8]

FC Vorkuta continued in their standard of recruiting talent from Ukraine, and as a result achieved a league milestone of three titles (First & Second division titles, and the DII Championship).[4] The club became the fourth club in CSL history after York Region Shooters in the 2014 season to achieve an undefeated regular season. A surprising early defeat to Kingsman SC in the early round of the postseason eliminated their chance of acquiring a perfect season. Only the Toronto Olympians and York Region Shooters accomplished this feat in the top division.

The third position in the First Division was primarily contested between FC Ukraine United, SC Waterloo Region, and Serbian White Eagles. The White Eagles held the position for fourteen weeks straight before relinquishing in the final three weeks to SC Waterloo and ultimately to Ukraine United. The Etobicoke-based team experienced a tumultuous season as general manager Vladimir Koval, and newly appointed head coach Mykhailo Hurka struggled in coordinating the usage of import players as they were fulfilling their commitments in Europe.[9] Injuries were also a factor in the team's performance, but late in the season, the club acquired several new players with Molham Babouli being the most notable domestic acquisition.[10][11] As a result, Ukraine United secured third place in the division and reached the championship final.[12]

SC Waterloo, and Serbian White Eagles both strengthened their core veteran squad with additional imports from the Western Balkans.[13][14] Throughout the majority of the season, the White Eagles held the third position, but a series of defeats late in the season allowed Waterloo to briefly secure the position until finishing fourth with a higher differential in scoring. Waterloo managed to hold the highly contested third position from Serbia three times throughout the season, and after winning six of its last seven games usurped the position permanently until the final match of the season with Ukraine United firmly securing the spot. Both Waterloo, and Serbia competed in the postseason with the former reaching the second round, and the latter facing an earlier departure in the first round respectively.

The final three playoff berths contended among CSC Mississauga, Hamilton City SC, and Kingsman SC. Kingsman SC an expansion franchise held the sixth position for the majority of the season and enjoyed the benefit of acquiring seasoned imports from FC Vorkuta.[15] After battling Kingsman for the sixth position Hamilton managed to steal the spot in the final stages of the regular season campaign. The town north of Vaughan accomplished a major upset in the postseason after handing Vorkuta its first defeat of the season. Subsequently, Kingsman was eliminated in the second round to Scarborough.[5] CSC Mississauga continued its focus on player development but followed the standard of the league's dominant clubs by attracting some foreign talent to remain competitive.[14] Its efforts were effective as the franchise secured its first playoff berth by finishing seventh with a higher goal differential from Kingsman.

While the two remaining clubs were Brantford Galaxy, and SC Real Mississauga finishing in the tenth, and ninth positions.[16] Brantford retained their veterans for the season, but struggled in making an impact and primarily was situated at the bottom of the standings the entire season.[17] Real Mississauga produced a similar result as Brantford finishing just three points ahead in the standings.

First Division

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Changes from 2018

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During the off-season former SC Toronto founder and league equity owner Isac Cambas died on March 1, 2019, from cancer.[18] The season commenced with all nine teams from the 2018 season returning with the approval of a single expansion team from five applicants.[19] The changes confirmed at the 2019 annual general meeting of team owners was the introduction of professional soccer to King, Ontario with Kingsman SC fielding teams in the First & Second divisions.[20][21] Originally the league released a press release announcing the return of professional soccer to Niagara Falls, Ontario under the name Niagara FC with former league veteran Timotej Zakrajsek, and Tamara Samardzija as the driving forces behind the bid.[22] Unfortunately, the project failed to materialize as the club didn't make its debut.

Changes occurred in the CSL executive committee and staff with Serbian White Eagles president Dragan Bakoc serving as the league's president.[18] Meanwhile, the Second Division fielded six teams for the 2019 season.[23] Several departing clubs became founding members of the Canadian Academy of Soccer League (CASL) a new professional league centered in Milton, Ontario, with Milton SC owner Jasmin Halkic initiating the operation along with the additions of Halton United, and London City.[24]

Teams

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Team City Stadium Manager
Brantford Galaxy Brantford, Ontario Heritage Field Turf Milan Prpa[25]
CSC Mississauga Mississauga, Ontario Paramount Fine Foods Centre Fields Josip Raguz[26]
FC Ukraine United Toronto, Ontario (Etobicoke) Centennial Park Stadium Mykhailo Hurka[27]
FC Vorkuta Vaughan, Ontario (Woodbridge) Ontario Soccer Centre
Hamilton City SC Hamilton, Ontario (Stoney Creek) Heritage Field Turf Sasa Vukovic[28]
Kingsman SC King, Ontario Esther Shiner Stadium Oleg Kalyadin[29]
Real Mississauga SC Mississauga, Ontario Huron Park Soccer Field Krum Bibishkov[30]
Scarborough SC Toronto, Ontario (Scarborough) Birchmount Stadium Zoran Rajović[31]
Serbian White Eagles Toronto, Ontario (Etobicoke) Centennial Park Stadium Uroš Stamatović[32]
SC Waterloo Region Waterloo, Ontario (Eastbridge) RIM Park Radivoj Panić[33]

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 FC Vorkuta (C) 18 15 3 0 66 15 +51 48 Playoffs
2 Scarborough SC (O) 18 12 3 3 50 18 +32 39
3 FC Ukraine United 18 10 2 6 43 22 +21 32
4 SC Waterloo Region 18 10 1 7 41 25 +16 31
5 Serbian White Eagles 18 9 4 5 42 33 +9 31
6 Hamilton City SC 18 6 3 9 26 39 −13 21
7 CSC Mississauga 18 6 1 11 38 47 −9 19
8 Kingsman SC 18 6 1 11 30 48 −18 19
9 SC Real Mississauga 18 3 2 13 20 62 −42 11
10 Brantford Galaxy 18 2 2 14 18 65 −47 8
Source: Canadian Soccer League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners


Positions by round

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Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920
Brantford Galaxy789101010101010101091010101010101010
CSC Mississauga10101067889887778887767
FC Ukraine United55554564644654544543
FC Vorkuta22211111111111111111
Hamilton City SC99776777778887778886
Kingsman SC86689656465566666678
SC Real Mississauga678989989991099999999
Scarborough SC41122222222222222222
SC Waterloo Region14345445556445455334
Serbian White Eagles33433333333333333455
Updated to match(es) played on October 6, 2019. Source: [1]

Playoffs

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Quarterfinals

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October 12, 2019 FC Vorkuta 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 p)
Kingsman SC Vaughan, Ontario
18:00 Temnyuk  
Volchkov  
Report Oleksandr Alieksieiev  
Bortnik  
Stadium: Ontario Soccer Centre
October 12, 2019 Scarborough SC 2–1 (a.e.t.) CSC Mississauga Toronto, Ontario
18:00 Gonzalo Matias Cabrera Celis  ,   Report Berezovyi   Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
October 12, 2019 SC Waterloo Region 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Serbian White Eagles Waterloo, Ontario
19:00 Miodrag Kovacevic   55' Report Tadic   71' Stadium: RIM Park
October 13, 2019 FC Ukraine United 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)
Hamilton City SC Toronto, Ontario
16:00 Babouli   7' Report Stojanović   48' Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium
Referee: Tony Amaral

Semifinals

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October 19, 2019 Scarborough SC 4–2 Kingsman SC Toronto, Ontario
16:00 Gonzalo Matius Cabrera Celis  
Radakovic  
Rajovic  
Simpson  
Report Belmokhtar  ,   Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
October 20, 2019 FC Ukraine United 5–3 SC Waterloo Region Toronto, Ontario
16:00 Milishchuk   20'
Ihor Sorotoskyi   34'
Nuno Ponte   64'
Babouli   75'
Rick Di Vincenzo   90'
Report Žugelj   39'
Petar Dordevic   47'
Dado Hadrovic   53'
Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium

Finals

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Season statistics

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Goals

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Rank Player Club Goals[34]
1   Mykola Temnyuk FC Vorkuta 18
2   Aleksander Stojiljkovic Scarborough SC 13
3   Vladimir Strizovic[35] Serbian White Eagles 10
4   Molham Babouli FC Ukraine United 9
  Miodrag Kovacevic[36] SC Waterloo Region
  Dmytro Polyuhanych Kingsman SC
5   Said Belmokhtar Kingsman SC 8
  Gonzalo Matias[37] Scarborough SC
  Marko Stajic[38] Serbian White Eagles
6   Kavin Bryan Scarborough SC 7
  Yaroslav Solonynko FC Vorkuta
7 Aleksander Bozovic SC Waterloo Region 6
  Taras Kryvyi FC Ukraine United
  Pero Menalo CSC Mississauga
  Zoran Rajovic Scarborough SC
  Serhiy Ursulenko FC Vorkuta

Hat-tricks

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Player Club Against Result Date
  Taras Kryvyi FC Ukraine United CSC Mississauga 3–0 (A) 31 May 2019
  Yaroslav Solonynko FC Vorkuta Brantford Galaxy 6–0 (H) 1 June 2019
  Gonzalo Matias Scarborough SC SC Real Mississauga 5–1 (A) 8 June 2019
  Mykola Temniuk FC Vorkuta SC Real Mississauga 7–0 (H) 15 June 2019
Matthias Garcia CSC Mississauga Kingsman SC 4–0 (A) 16 June 2019
  Mykola Temniuk FC Vorkuta SC Waterloo Region 5–1 (H) 22 June 2019
  Aleksandar Bozovic SC Waterloo Region SC Real Mississauga 4–3 (A) 29 June 2019
  Pavlo Lukyanets FC Ukraine United CSC Mississauga 5–2 (H) 14 July 2019
  Vladimir Strizovic Serbian White Eagles Brantford Galaxy 6–3 (H) 26 July 2019
  Said Belmokhtar Kingsman SC Serbian White Eagles 4–2 (H) 3 August 2019
  Aleksander Stojiljkovic Scarborough SC Kingsman SC 3–3 (A) 10 August 2019
  Molham Babouli FC Ukraine United Brantford Galaxy 5–0 (H) 8 September 2019
  Aleksander Stojiljkovic Scarborough SC Brantford Galaxy 6–1 (A) 14 September 2019
  Molham Babouli FC Ukraine United SC Real Mississauga 5–2 (H) 1 October 2019

Second Division

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The Second Division remained the same as the previous season with six teams. The new additions were the reserve teams of CSC Mississauga, Hamilton City SC, and Kingsman SC. The departing clubs were Halton United, London City, and Milton SC to become inaugural members of the Canadian Academy of Soccer League (CASL), thus making the Second Division primarily a reserve division for its senior clubs. FC Vorkuta B successfully defended its championship and division title for the second consecutive season.

Canadian Soccer League
Second Division
Season2019
ChampionsFC Vorkuta B (Second Division regular season)
FC Vorkuta B (Second Division playoffs, 2nd title)
Matches played45
Goals scored251 (5.58 per match)
Top goalscorerMarko Stajic (13)
Biggest home winFC Vorkuta B 11–1 Serbian White Eagles B
(June 22, 2019)
Biggest away winKingsman SC B 2–12 FC Vorkuta B
(September 25, 2019)
Longest winning run9 matches
FC Vorkuta B
Longest unbeaten run9 matches
FC Vorkuta B
Longest winless run4 matches
Brantford Galaxy B
Longest losing run6 matches
Hamilton City SC B
2018
2020

Teams

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Team City Stadium Manager
Brantford Galaxy B Brantford, Ontario Cardinal Newman S.S. Field (Stoney Creek, Hamilton)
CSC Mississauga B Mississauga, Ontario Ontario Soccer Centre (Woodbridge, Vaughan)
FC Vorkuta B Vaughan, Ontario St. Robert S.S. Field
Hamilton City SC B Hamilton, Ontario Cardinal Newman S.S. Field (Stoney Creek, Hamilton)
Kingsman SC B King, Ontario Ontario Soccer Centre (Woodbridge, Vaughan)
Serbian White Eagles B Toronto, Ontario Iceland Sports Complex (Mississauga)

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 FC Vorkuta B (C, O) 15 13 0 2 74 19 +55 39 Playoffs
2 Serbian White Eagles B 15 8 1 6 56 57 −1 25
3 CSC Mississauga B 15 7 2 6 38 45 −7 23
4 Kingsman SC B 15 4 4 7 27 41 −14 16
5 Hamilton City SC B 15 3 4 8 28 36 −8 13
6 Brantford Galaxy B 15 3 3 9 28 48 −20 12
Updated to match(es) played on October 3, 2019. Source: http://canadiansoccerleague.ca/2019-second-division-standings/
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners


Positions by round

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Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415
Brantford Galaxy B556666666666666
CSC Mississauga B443342333333333
FC Vorkuta B122111111111111
Hamilton City SC B234555555444555
Kingsman SC B311234444555444
Serbian White Eagles B665423222222222
Updated to match(es) played on October 4, 2019. Source: [2]

Playoffs

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Quarterfinals

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October 15, 2019 Kingsman SC B 2–3 Hamilton City SC B Toronto, Ontario
21:00 Pitel   75',   85' Report Arsen Platis   30'
Marco Serlez   50'
Illija Bajcetic   70'
Stadium: Esther Shiner Stadium

Semifinals

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October 19, 2019 FC Vorkuta B 5–1 Hamilton City SC B Toronto, Ontario
13:30 Kristijan Kezic   58',   70'
Oleksandr Yaremchuk   63'
Borovskyi   66',   80'
Report Haris Osmanagic   50' Stadium: L'Amoreaux Sports Complex
October 19, 2019 Serbian White Eagles B 2–0 CSC Mississauga B Toronto, Ontario
14:00 Vladimir Strizovic   22'
Luka Milidragovic   37'
Report Stadium: Centennial Park Stadium

Finals

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Top Goal Scorers

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Rank Player Club Goals[39]
1   Marko Stajic[40] Serbian White Eagles B 13
2   Matthaus Garcia[41] CSC Mississauga SC B 11
  Vladimir Strizovic Serbian White Eagles B
3   Fadi Salback FC Vorkuta B 9
4 Pat Wilson Brantford Galaxy B 6
5   Bohdan Borovskyi FC Vorkuta B 5
6   Donart Beqiri Brantford Galaxy B 4
  Bogdan Bortnik Kingsman SC B
  Kristijan Kezic[42] FC Vorkuta B
  Misel Klisara Serbian White Eagles B
7 Marko Dzaric Hamilton City SC B 3
  Serhiy Ivlyev FC Vorkuta B
Vukasin Kovacevic Hamilton City SC B
  Danylo Lazar FC Vorkuta B
  Ihor Melnyk FC Vorkuta B
Marko Milanovic Serbian White Eagles B
  Yaroslav Solonynko FC Vorkuta B
  Dorde Vukobrat Hamilton City SC B

References

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  1. ^ Adamson, Stan (October 22, 2019). "Scarborough on Top... Vorkuta B wins Second Division Championship". Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  2. ^ Adamson, Stan (April 30, 2019). "CSC Mississauga vs SC Waterloo in Opener". Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  3. ^ источники, Внешние (2019-10-29). "Українська команда стала фіналістом Канадської футбольної ліги" [The Ukrainian team became a finalist in the Canadian Football League]. www.ua-football.com (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  4. ^ a b Adamson, Stan (November 4, 2019). "Let's Pay Tribute to Scarborough... and not forget Vorkuta's Troika achievement". Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  5. ^ a b Stanchev, Stancho (October 26, 2019). "Играещият мениджър К. Димитров пропуска най-важния мач на "Скарбъро" в Канада" [Playing manager K. Dimitrov misses the most important match of "Scarborough" in Canada]. Вестник Струма (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  6. ^ Stanchev, Stancho (October 28, 2019). "От Третия Огит! Брежанецът К. Димитров триумфира с шампионската титла в Канада" [FROM THE THIRD EXPERIENCE! Brezhanets K. Dimitrov triumphed with the championship title in Canada]. Вестник Струма (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  7. ^ Adamson, Stan (29 September 2019). "Vorkuta Completes Regular Season Unbeaten". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
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  9. ^ Adamson, Stan (December 12, 2019). "The CSL Season in Retrospect – Highlights of the 2019 Campaign – Part 2". Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  10. ^ Adamson, Stan (September 9, 2019). "New Arrival Babouli Strikes Four for Ukraine UTD". Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  11. ^ Davidson, Neil (August 7, 2020). "Former Toronto FC forward Mo Babouli finds new home with CPL's Forge FC". The Canadian Press.
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  13. ^ Adamson, Stan (November 26, 2019). "The CSL Season in Retrospect – Highlights of the 2019 Campaign – Part 1". Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  14. ^ a b Adamson, Stan (May 14, 2019). "Opening Match Will Start Waterloo Challenge". Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  15. ^ "Roster – Kingsman Soccer Club". www.kingsmansc.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  16. ^ Kostadinov, Simeon (5 April 2020). "Екснападател на орлетата от Марикостиново се прочу в Канада - struma - Онлайн вестник" [An ex-striker of the Eagles from Marikostinovo became famous in Canada]. struma.news (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  17. ^ Adamson, Stan (May 24, 2019). "Attractive Weekend Games in the CSL". Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  18. ^ a b Adamson, Stan. "Isac Cambas Brought Soccer to the Portuguese Community". Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  19. ^ Adamson, Stan. "CSL Kickoff Has the Big Picture in Mind". Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  20. ^ Adamson, Stan. "CSL Owners Upbeat at Annual Meeting". Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  21. ^ "Kingsman in the CSL". Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  22. ^ Adamson, Stan (2019-01-25). "Niagara FC and Kingsman in the CSL – Pro soccer returns to the Falls". Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  23. ^ Adamson, Stan. "It's CSC Mississauga vs. SC Waterloo in CSL First Division Opener... Six teams will kickoff Second Division". Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  24. ^ "Home". aofs. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
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  27. ^ "2019 Team Roster". fcukraineunited. Archived from the original on 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  28. ^ "2019 Hamilton City roster". Canadian Soccer League. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
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  32. ^ "2019 Serbian White Eagles roster". Canadian Soccer League. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  33. ^ "2019 SC Waterloo Region roster". Canadian Soccer League. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  34. ^ "2019 First Division Stats". archive.ph. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  35. ^ "Vladimir Strizovic - Polet Ljubic". www.footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  36. ^ "Miodrag Kovacevic - Igalo". www.footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  37. ^ "Брежанецът К. Димитров влиза и бележи в Канада, привлечен от него чилиец се отпуши с хеттрик" [Brezhanets K. Dimitrov enters and scores in Canada, a Chilean attracted by him unlocks with a hat trick]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  38. ^ Adamson, Stan (February 11, 2020). "Goal Scorer Marko Stajic Joins European Procession". CanadianSoccerLeague.ca.
  39. ^ "2019 Second Division Stats". Canadian Soccer League. Archived from the original on October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  40. ^ Adamson, Stan (February 11, 2020). "Goal Scorer Marko Stajic Joins European Procession". CanadianSoccerLeague.ca.
  41. ^ "New Additions to the Kia TFC Academy". Toronto FC. Archived from the original on 2018-09-26. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  42. ^ "Kristijan Kezic – FC Vorkuta". fcvorkuta.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2018-09-26.