Also, updates on the Muskoka scene: High School Playoffs, Muskoka United FC, Huntsville SC, and Bracebridge SC

Today is the day the Toronto Raptors will retire the legend Vince Carter’s number 15.

In honour of this momentous occasion in my second favourite sport for the icon they call “half man, half amazing,” we’re looking at 15 standout players, teams and moments in Toronto and Canadian soccer history.

These are in no particular order . . .

The 2016 playoff comeback in the 401 Derby. Any Toronto FC fan worth their weight in salt will fondly recall the two-leg MLS Eastern Conference Final between the Reds and Montreal featuring names like Giovinco, Bradley, Altidore, Ricketts, Piatti, Mancosu, Drogba, Ciman, and more. I watched both legs on TV, yelling as if they could hear us, but I could feel the energy from the BMO Field in the second leg. Here’s a recap that sums it up: Remembering the 2016 Eastern Conference Final.

Sebastian Giovinco’s legendary performances. For a while it felt that any time the Atomic Ant stepped up to take a free kick it was going in the net. And any time TFC needed a big goal or assist, he was there. He lit up the MLS for four years with the Reds and became a club legend in the process (73 total goals and 57 total assists in the MLS regular season and playoffs). His impact was so strong, Giovinco was recently brought into the front office staff as a club ambassador.

The 2017 Treble Season for TFC. Also, could be considered a redemption tour having lost the MLS Cup Final in 2016 in penalties at home against Seattle. This time in the same location against the same team Toronto got the job done. They also won the Supporters Shield with a at-the-time best ever MLS regular season record and cruised to the Canadian Championship title that year.

Jonathan Osorio. Toronto’s homegrown captain was a part of the most successful years the club ever had and it’s very worst but is leading the way back again. Always answering the call for club and country, he has spent his whole professional career in his hometown. He has also been a steady national team member during the past several years and played his part in both the World Cup and Copa America sides.

The 2018 CONCACAF Champions League final run. I was at every home game in that tournament, even the 0-0 freezing cold draw against Colorado after TFC had won the first leg away. It was a fantastic tournament and the Reds nearly, so very nearly became the first MLS team to win the tournament. They played to a 3-3 aggregate over the two leg final before falling in penalties to champion Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico.

Alphonso Davies. Likely the best Canadian men’s player ever. He broke the mould when he was signed to one of the world’s foremost clubs, Bayern Munich in 2018, after they paid a then-record MLS transfer fee ($22 million US in base and bonuses) to Vancouver for the up-and-comer. Davies then won the Bundesliga rookie-of-the-year honours in 2019. The next year, he earned a starting spot for Bayern in their 1-0 Champions League win over PSG as the team completed the European treble. Davies became the first Canadian to win a Champions League trophy.

Qualifying for the World Cup in 2022. Canada topped CONCACAF qualifying with room to spare and put on big performance after big performance throughout the campaign. It was the first time our nation qualified since 1986 after coming so close so many times. Enough said.

Jonathan David. The Canadian and Lille striker is a scoring machine for both club and country. He has 78 goals (and counting) for Lille since the start of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season, while adding 30 goals in 57 appearances for Team Canada since 2018.

Canada’s semi-final run at the Copa America. After years of the Canadian women’s team being the headline act for this nation’s soccer programs, the Canadian men’s team has been making huge strides in recent years ahead of co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. The semi-final run at the Copa America ended with a well-played loss to World Cup and Copa champion Argentina was hopefully a sign of more to come. Canada did play in a third-place match against Uruguay, losing 4-3 on penalties.

Bronze, Bronze, Gold. The women’s Olympic football (soccer) tournament has long been considered almost the equal of the Women’s World Cup – note the “almost” – and Team Canada medalled in three straight Olympics from 2012 to 2020, winning gold in the latter. Led by the GOAT Christine Sinclair, Jessie Fleming, Janine Beckie, Ashley Lawrence, Kadeisha Buchanan, and other fantastic players, these teams inspired girls across the nation to take to the pitch.  

The Canadian GOAT’s semi-final hat trick. Okay, so Canada lost the 2012 match 4-3 to the US and ended up winning the first bronze. But it wasn’t for lack of trying from the greatest to do it in women’s soccer. Sinclair’s hat trick performance is still one of the greatest individual efforts of all-time. She is still the world’s top international goal scorer (any gender) with 190 goals for Canada.

Jessie Fleming. Literally I looked at my daughter when I was still coaching her team and said, “learn to play like Jessie Fleming.” The Canadian star can literally do everything on the field and do it with a perfect mix of work ethic and skillful class. All our young players, particularly midfielders should learn to play like Jessie. Scored the only Canadian goal in regulation time as well as the first goal in the shootout in the Gold Medal win.

The 2000 Gold Cup. The tournament that made headlines in Canada, while cementing the legacies of a couple other people still to come on this list. It was supposed to be the jump-off point to a sustained period of excellence, but for various reasons, this tournament was the highlight of the men’s program until they qualified for the 2022 World Cup. Still, it was a great tournament where they beat Mexico in the quarterfinals and Colombia in the final.

Craig Forrest. The goalkeeper is one of the most famous Canadian footballers of all time both for his efforts on the pitch in England with Ipswich Town and Team Canada, and also off of it with some stellar commentary as a TV Pundit. Forrest had 16 clean sheets in the 1991-92 season for Ipswich, helping them win the first division in 1991-92 and gain promotion to the Premier League. He then became the first Canadian to ever play in the Premiership. He was a stalwart in goal for Canada and was named the CONCACAF Gold Cup MVP in 2000 when Les Rouges beat the odds to win the regional title.

Paul Stalteri. Another member of the 2000 Gold Cup winning team, Stalteri spent most of his pro career in Germany, winning the domestic double with Werder Bremen in the 2003-04 season. A consummate professional, Stalteri was renowned in Canadian soccer circles (particularly in Ontario) for being a strong Canadian player making strides in Europe before it was a common occurrence. He also spent time in the Premier League later in his career, while he now is a part of the Team Canada staff.

Honourable Mentions:

Dwayne De Rosario – One of the best Canadians to ever step foot on a pitch, was on the 2000 Gold Cup team, scored 28 goals for Toronto FC in 66 games with the club.

Jason DeVos – Scored the 2000 Gold Cup winning goal versus Colombia. Had a solid career overall, has been a tremendous contributor in a variety of forms for Canadian soccer, and is an assistant coach for TFC.

Richie Layrea – one of my favourite players for his efforts on both TFC and Canada. Also was super cool to my son’s team when I brought them for a pre-game meet-and-greet back in 2019.

Danny Dichio and TFC’s first ever MLS goal – the Scotsman scored TFC’s first ever goal in the 24^th minute of a 3-1 win over Chicago on May 12, 2007.

There are other fantastic players, teams, and moments that I could have go on and on about, but we had to stick with 15 main ones and the mentions.

Hoyas at Regionals

The Huntsville Hoyas travelled to Bradford on Wednesday to compete in the GBSAA regional playoffs.

Hosted by perennial regional champion Holy Trinity, the event determined who will qualify for OFSAA (the provincial championships) to be held in spring 2025.

The Hoyas started the day off with a come from behind win over St. Thomas in the semi-finals. Trailing 2-1 at half and 3-1 shortly after the second half began, the Huntsville boys then stormed back to win 4-3.

In the final, they faced the hosts and perennial GBSAA champion Holy Trinity. The Hoyas fell 5-1, but still qualified for OFSAA as the top AA division team in the region as Holy Trinity will compete in the AAA division at the provincials.

Muskoka United FC

The Muskoka United FC U17 Boys Team takes on Newmarket on November 2 at the Hangar in Toronto in PISL action.

They hope to replicate or even approve upon their PISL season opener, a 5-2 win over Pickering.

Huntsville Soccer Club

Adult Indoor Soccer programs are close to full with games beginning on Monday, November 4.

There are two options available at the moment: a more experienced players pick-up night on Mondays and an open skill level pick-up night on Wednesdays.

Both nights take place at Spruce Glen Public School with various times. Learn more at: www.huntsvillesoccer.ca or register at: https://huntsvillesoccer.sportngin.com/register/form/496057901

The proper indoor soccer league with distinct teams and standings will start play in January. Registration for that will be up as soon as a few more details are confirmed.

There is also an indoor training program for the Huntsville FC Women’s Team. Those interested in that can email the coordinator at womensleague@huntsvillesoccer.ca

The club is always looking for volunteers to fill a variety of roles – both big and small – and those interested in helping should email administrator@huntsvillesoccer.ca

Bracebridge Soccer Club

The Bracebridge Soccer Club’s impromptu adult co-ed fall pick-up program filled up quickly, but those who missed out can take solace that the winter league registration will be happening soon.

Registration for the club’s winter youth indoor program that begins in January will be available soon as well.

As well, Bracebridge is hosting their AGM on Monday, November 18th at 7 p.m. in the Bracebridge Sportsplex.

The club is looking for some more board members and the following positions are open: sponsorship coordinator, social media coordinator, adult recreational coordinator, vice president of programs, and a U9 to U12 house league coordinator.

For more information on the club, visit: https://www.bracebridgesoccer.ca/

That’s all for this week! Ciao For Now Everyone!