North York Astros
Full nameNorth York Astros Soccer Club
Nickname(s)The Astros
FoundedNovember 23, 1990 (November 23, 1990) (as North York Atletico Argentina Soccer Club)
StadiumEsther Shiner Stadium
Toronto, Ontario
Capacity3,000
LeagueCanadian Soccer League
2014Regular season: 4th
Playoffs: Lost in semi-finals
WebsiteClub website

The North York Astros were a Canadian soccer team that was founded in 1990. The team initially played in the National Soccer League. The team played their home games at Esther Shiner Stadium in North York, a district of the city of Toronto, Canada. The team's colours were orange and black. The club was originally named North York Atletico Argentina Soccer Club, and witnessed instant success in its initial stages. After a merger with North York Talons, and a relocation to Scarborough the team was eventually renamed the North York Astros. The Astros were a founding member of the Canadian National Soccer League's successor league the Canadian Professional Soccer League in 1998.

North York's time in the CPSL (later renamed Canadian Soccer League) was marked with mixed results for example reaching the CPSL Championship finals then going through periods of consecutively failing to secure a postseason berth. In 2013, the Astros merged with Toronto Vasas organization to form Astros Vasas FC. The merger proved a success as the club rebuild itself and became a playoff contender. In 2014, the Canadian Soccer Association De-sanctioned the CSL, and as a result North York withdrew from the league in 2015.

History

Early years (1990–97)

Founded on November 23, 1990, as the North York Atletico Argentina Soccer Club and accepted into membership by the National Soccer League Board to participate in the 1991 NSL season. Lamport Stadium served as the club's first home field. Elio Garro was appointed the club's first head coach. North York tasted success in their debut season as it went on to win the 1991 Peniche Pre-season Tournament over the North York Rockets of the Canadian Soccer League in penalty kicks after a 1–1 tie at Lamport Stadium, the 1991 NSL Ontario Cup over the Toronto Jets (2–0) and the NSL Canadian Cup Championship over the Montreal Dollard (3–2) at Claude Robillard Stadium in Montreal, Quebec.[1]

In 1992, North York lost the Super Shield Cup Championship match to the Scarborough International Soccer Club by a score of 1–0. This NSL trophy was to determine the overall champion between the NSL League Champions and the NSL Canadian Cup Champions. For the second year in a row, the club reached the NSL Ontario Cup Finals but suffered a 2–1 defeat to Toronto Croatia.

In 1993, the NSL Board accepted North York Rockets and Winnipeg Fury of the defunct CSL, renamed itself The Canadian National Soccer League (CNSL) to denote the National Status awarded by the Canadian Soccer Association. As a result, The CNSL Board, decided to relocate North York to Scarborough as part of its realignment. The North York Atletico Argentina Soccer Club Board decided on the name of the Scarborough Astros Soccer Club to associate itself to the new city and selected Birchmount Stadium as their new home field. Changes also occurred with team management as Jorge Armua was named head coach. In 1995, the Astros roster consisted of three CNSL all-stars Paulo Silva, Rene Martin, Roosevelt Angulo, Rick Titus, Patrick Tobo and Iraqi international Basil Gorgis.[2] Throughout the season the club achieved an undefeated run in the Umbro Cup tournament. In the Umbro Cup finals Scarborough faced St. Catharines Wolves, but suffered a loss in a penalty shootout.[3] At the CNSL awards banquet Laszlo Martonfi received the Golden Boot award for finishing as the league's top goalscorer with 12 goals.[4]

Rafael Carbajal coached the Astros from 1999 to 2000, and 2007–2008 until eventually joining the Canada men's national soccer team coaching staff.

Merger and CPSL founding member (1997-98)

In 1997, Scarborough Astros merged with North York Talons and combined both of their rosters together.[5] One notable addition to the roster was the signing of Diego Maradona's younger brother Lalo Maradona.[6] Unfortunately for the club midway through the season the CNSL board suspended North York, and Hamilton White Eagles for the remainder of the 1997 season. The following year the CNSL merged with the stillborn Ontario Professional Soccer League, and formed the Canadian Professional Soccer League. The newly formed CPSL Board accepted into membership as part of this merger, North York Talons, London City, Toronto Croatia and St. Catharines Roma and recognized them as Founding Members.[7][8] The CPSL would operate under the auspices and joint support of the OSA. The CPSL Board then accepted four new clubs namely, Glen Shields, York Region Shooters, Mississauga Eagles and Toronto Olympians. North York later agreed as requested by the CPSL Board to relocate to the North York permanently and take on the name of North York Astros Soccer Club and Esther Shiner Stadium as their home field, to allow the Toronto Olympians to move into Scarborough and use Birchmount Stadium as their home field. In their debut season in the CPSL, the Astros qualified for the postseason by clinching the final playoff spot. In the postseason North York faced Toronto Olympians, but were defeated by a score of 5–1.[9] At the CPSL awards banquet Rene Martin received the CPSL MVP award.[10]

Decline & rebuilding period (1999–06)

In 1999, the Astros hired the services of Rafael Carbajal as head coach. For the two seasons which he coached he assembled a roster of players with European and NPSL experience. The acquisitions were O'Neil Brown, Platon Krivoshchyokov, Piotr Libicz, Ivan Jurisic, Sam Medeiros, Andrei Malychenkov. The signings were of no avail as the Astros failed to clinch a postseason berth in both seasons. One notable achievement went to Libicz as he was awarded the CPSL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2000.[11] In preparations for the 2001 season the Astros brought in Tony LaFerrara to coach the team. LaFerrara brought in former Montreal Impact striker Dejan Gluscevic, Luciano Miranda and appointed veteran Alex Nardi as team captain.[12][13] After a mediocre performance LaFerrara was replaced by assistant coach Sam Medeiros. Though North York's performance improved from the previous season it was still not enough to secure a playoff berth.[14] Luciano Miranda received the CPSL Goalkeeper of the Year, and Kurt Ramsey the CPSL Defender of the Year.[15]

Former Astros striker Dejan Gluscevic along with Pavel Zaslavski were appointed the co-head coaches for the 2002 season.[16] Added to the squad were Guillermo Compton Hall, Gabriel Salguero. During the regular season the Astros performed poorly and finished fifth in the Western Conference. They received a playoff wild card match due to hosting the competition. Their opponents in the Wild Card Game were league powerhouse Mississauga Olympians, and out played them by a score of 3–0.[17] Their fairy tale continued in the semi-finals were they faced Western Conference champions Toronto Croatia, and once more beat the odds by winning on goal from Hall to cap off the match with a 1–0 victory.[18] In the CPSL Championship finals North York faced Eastern Conference champions Ottawa Wizards, but fell short in capturing the title by losing by a score of 2–0.[19][20][21] At the conclusion of the season Compton Hall received the CPSL Championship MVP, and Bruno Ierullo was awarded the CPSL President's award.[22][23]

For the 2003 season Zaslavski received full head coach responsibilities, and signed former Toronto Lynx forward Francisco Dos Santos, Vitaliy Mishchenko, and Boris Krimus.[24] The season concluded in another mediocre performance with the club finishing fifth in the Western Conference, and failing to secure a postseason berth. The 2003 season marked a rebuilding period for the club. Notable achievements which occurred during their rebuilding stage were Ierullo receiving his second President's award in 2004.[25] In 2005, Gluscevic returned to coach the Astros once more, and managed to secure a postseason wild card match. In the match North York faced Toronto Croatia, but were eliminated from the competition by a score of 1–0.[26] At the CPSL awards ceremony Gluscevic received the CPSL Coach of the Year, and North York was awarded the CPSL Fair Play Award.[27]

Carbajal period (2007–08)

The 2007 season marked the return of Rafael Carbajal as head coach. His signings included former USL veteran David Diplacido, Haidar Al-Shaïbani, Selvin Lammie, and Diego Maradona (son of Lalo Maradona).[28] Carbajal succeed in improving the team's performance, as the Astros qualified for the postseason for the first time since the 1998 season without the assistance of a bye to the playoffs. Their opponents in the first round of the playoffs were Toronto Croatia, after a 2–0 lead Croatia bounced back with four goals to eliminate North York from the competition.[29] Team owner Ierullo was awarded the Harry Paul Gauss award for the third time in his career.[30] In preparation for the 2008 season Carbajal reinforced his roster with the signings of Bahamian international Happy Hall, Go Nagaoka, Franco Lalli, Carlos Zeballos, and Anthony Bahadur. North York produced a fruitful season finishing as runner's up in the National Division, the club's highest finish in the CSL regular season. In the quarterfinals the Astros faced the Serbian White Eagles, but suffered a 2–1 defeat.[31] CSL Coach of the Year went to Carbajal, and Zeballos received the Defender of the Year.[32]

Postseason drought & merger (2009–14)

After the departure of Carbajal the Astros went through a difficult rebuilding era. North York went through the services of Uğur Çimen, Vladimir Klinovsky, Michael Ridout, and Gerardo Lezcano as head coaches.[33] For four straight seasons the Astros finished at the bottom of the table. In 2010, the Astros reached an agreement with North York Hearts SC to serve as a feeder club.[34][35] In May 2013 the club merged with Toronto Vasas organization to form Astros Vasas FC.[36][37][38]László Kiss with experience in European soccer was appointed the new head coach. The Astros received additional reinforcements after acquiring the player rights from the Mississauga Eagles. Kiss assembled a roster of which consisted of Joey Melo, Igor Pisanjuk, and Erik Ľupták.[39] In the initial stages of the season the team struggled to achieve results, which resulted in the replacement of Kiss with Lezcano as head coach. Lezcano managed to achieve enough results in order to make one last bold attempt at a postseason berth. Unfortunately the Astros fell short by one point in order to secure the final playoff berth.

In 2014, Josef Komlodi was appointed the head coach, and brought in CSL veterans like Gabe Gala, Boris Miličić, Mark Jankovic, and Jason Lopes. Midway through the season Komlodi resigned, and Igor Pisanjuk served in the capacity of player-coach. Pisanjuk managed the Astros to a postseason berth by finishing fourth in the overall standings. In the postseason the club faced Burlington SC, and advanced to the semi-finals by a 4–0 victory.[40] In the second round of the playoffs North York faced York Region Shooters, but suffered a 1–0 defeat.[41][42] On February 28, 2015, the CSL announced that North York, and Kingston FC were not returning for the 2015 season.[43]

Awards

  • 1991 Peniche Pre-season Champions
  • 1991 NSL Ontario Cup Champions
  • 1991 Canada Cup Champions
  • 1992 NSL Ontario Cup Runners Up
  • 1992 NSL Super Shield Runners Up
  • 1995 CNSL Ontario Cup Runners Up
  • 2002 CPSL Rogers Cup Runners Up

Kit

The colours in the kit have changed over the years. Yellow and Navy Blue where prominent and in 2010 the Club added Orange and Black to commemorate its 20th anniversary.

Notable players

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season (Position, W-L-D, Pts) Playoffs
1991 First (as North York Atletico Argentina) NSL 3rd, 24 Pts ONTARIO & CANADA CUP CHAMPIONS
1992 First (as North York Atletico Argentina) NSL ONTARIO CUP FINALIST & NSL SUPER SHIELD FINALIST
1993 First (as Scarborough Astros) CNSL
1994 First (as Scarborough Astros) CNSL
1995 First (as Scarborough Astros) CNSL ONTARIO CUP FINALIST
1996[44] First (as Scarborough Astros) CNSL 7th, 0–10–2, 2 Pts did not qualify
1997[45] First (as North York Tallons) CNSL
1998[46] First (as North York Astros) CPSL 4th, 6–7–1, 19 Pts Semi-Finals
1999[47] First CPSL 8th, 2–11–1, 7 Pts did not qualify
2000[48] First CPSL 6th, 3–9–2, 11 Pts did not qualify
2001[49] First CPSL 9th, 7–3–12, 24 Pts did not qualify
2002[50] Western CPSL 5th, 4–6–9, 18 Pts ROGERS CUP FINALIST
2003[51] Western CPSL 5th, 4–5–9, 17 Pts did not qualify
2004[52] Eastern CPSL 4th, 3–13–4, 13 Pts did not qualify
2005[53] Eastern CPSL 5th, 8–10–4, 28 Pts Wild Card Round
2006[54] National CSL 6th, 3–11–8, 17 Pts did not qualify
2007[55] National CSL 3rd, 5–12–5, 20 Pts First Round Play-offs
2008[56] National CSL 2nd 10–3–9, 33 Pts First Round Play-offs
2009[57] National CSL 5th did not qualify
2010[58] First CSL 11th did not qualify
2011[59] First CSL 14th did not qualify
2012[60] First CSL 16th did not qualify
2013[61] First CSL 9th did not qualify
2014[62] First CSL 4th Semifinals

Head coaches

Years Name Nation
1991–1992Elio Garro Argentina
1993–1998Jorge Armua Uruguay
1999–2000Rafael Carbajal  Uruguay
2001Tony Laferrara Canada
2001Sam Medeiros Portugal
2002Pavel Zaslavski & Dejan Gluščević Belarus &  Serbia
2003Pavel Zaslavski Belarus
2004Vittorio Villacis Ecuador
2005Dejan Gluščević  Serbia
2006Pavel Zaslavski Belarus
2007–2008Rafael Carbajal Uruguay
2009Uğur Çimen Turkey
2009Volodymyr Klynovskyi Ukraine
2010Michael Ridout Canada
2010–2012Gerardo Lezcano Canada
2013László Kiss (manager)  Hungary
2013Gerardo Lezcano Canada
2014Josef Komlodi Hungary
2014Igor Pisanjuk  Canada

References

  1. ↑ "CPSL - North York Astros". August 1, 2001. Archived from the original on August 1, 2001. Retrieved May 7, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ↑ "CNSL Rosters and Alumni". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  3. ↑ Glover, Robin. "Cup Playoffs". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  4. ↑ Glover, Robin. "CNSL Awards Night". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  5. ↑ Glover, Robin. "type_Document_Title_here". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  6. ↑ Glover, Robin. "June 22, 1997". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  7. ↑ Da Costa, Norman. "Canada to kick off pro league in May".
  8. ↑ Bailey, Dave. "Canada Kicks -- News Story". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  9. ↑ Glover, Robin. "North York Astros vs Toronto Olympians". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  10. ↑ Bailey, Dave. "Canada Kicks -- News Story: CPSL Awards Night". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  11. ↑ Rumleski, Kathy. "LFP Sports: Croatia bags Primus Cup by upsetting Olympians". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  12. ↑ Ross, Matt. "North York Astros gear up for winning season". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. North York Mirror. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  13. ↑ "2001 - May 25 - Astros Announce Roster; Supra Wins Opener". June 17, 2002. Archived from the original on June 17, 2002. Retrieved November 16, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  14. ↑ LASKARIS, Sam. "Astros Weather Ups and Downs". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. North York Mirror. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  15. ↑ Glover, Robin. "CPSL Awards 2001". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  16. ↑ Laskaris, Sam. "CPSL May 7th, 2002 Astros preSeason story from the Mirror-Guardian". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  17. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 18, 2002 CPSL North York Astros vs Mississauga Olympians (by Rocket Robin)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  18. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 19, 2002 CPSL North York Astros vs Toronto Croatia (by Rocket Robin)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  19. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 20, 2002 CPSL North York Astros vs Ottawa Wizards (by Rocket Robin)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  20. ↑ Baines, Tim. "October 21, 2003 CPSL Final North York Astros vs Ottawa Wizards article from Ottawa Sun". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  21. ↑ Reynolds, Orville. "October 21, 2003 CPSL Final North Astros vs Ottawa Wizards story by Orville Reynolds". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  22. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 20, 2002 CPSL Awards Dinner (by Rocket Robin)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  23. ↑ Laskaris, Sam. "October 21, 2003 CPSL Playoffs North York Astros performance from The Mirror". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. North York Mirror. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  24. ↑ LASKARIS, Sam. "August 6, 2003 CPSL North York Astros story (from Mirror-Guardian)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  25. ↑ "October 9, 2004 CPSL Award Winners (from CPSL website)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  26. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 7, 2005 CPSL North York Astros vs Toronto Croatia (by Rocket Robin)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  27. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 9th, 2005 CPSL Awards Banquet (by Rocket Robin)". rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  28. ↑ "May 18, 2007 North York Astros new player signings (from CSL media release)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  29. ↑ "October 14, 2007 CSL details of Sunday's games (from CSL media release)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  30. ↑ Glover, Robin. "November 4, 2007 CSL Awards Banquet (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  31. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 11, 2008 CSL Quarterfinal Serbian White Eagles vs North York Astros (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  32. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 26, 2008 CSL Finals Pregame Award Ceremony (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  33. ↑ "January 7th, 2012--People In The News (from CSL website)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  34. ↑ "North York Astros Soccer Club Powered by Goalline Sports Administration Software". September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on September 10, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  35. ↑ "Astros are kicking it up to the pro ranks". InsideToronto.com. May 10, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  36. ↑ "CSL home opener for merged Astros May 26". InsideToronto.com. May 22, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  37. ↑ Világa, Kanada (August 8, 2013). "Kell egy csapat? De hiszen már van! 10 éves a Toronto Vasas". Kanada Világa hírportál. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  38. ↑ "May 2, 2013 CSL--Burlington an Addition While Astros Strengthen for Upcoming Seasons in the Canadian Soccer League (from CSL web site)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  39. ↑ László, Remzső (August 17, 2013). "13-1 -re nyert a torontói Vasas csapata – Pisanjuk és Lupták is bemutatkozott". Kanada Világa hírportál. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  40. ↑ "York Region, Astros Through to Semis…… Shooters still unbeaten | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  41. ↑ "York Region Marches On…… Kingston and Waterloo in Second Division final | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  42. ↑ "North York Astros fall one game short of CSL final". InsideToronto.com. October 20, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Expansion Clubs Boost CSL First Division | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 1996". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  45. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 1997". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  46. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 1998". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  47. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 1999". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  48. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2000". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  49. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2001". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  50. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2002". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  51. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2003". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  52. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2004". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  53. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2005". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  54. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2006". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  55. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2007". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  56. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League 2008". RSSSF. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  57. ↑ Archived August 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  58. ↑ "October 13th, 2010--Canadian Soccer League First Division Week 23". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  59. ↑ "October 10, 2011 CSL--Week 23 Standings (from CSL web site)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  60. ↑ "October 11, 2012 CSL--Week 23 Standings [end of Regular season] (from CSL web site)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  61. ↑ "October 7, 2013 CSL--CSL Week 23 Standings Final Standings Regular Season (from CSL web site)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  62. ↑ "First Division 2014 Standings | Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
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