The 1972 National Soccer League season was the forty-ninth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in October with the Canadian Open Cup final. Toronto Croatia successfully defended its regular-season title for the third consecutive season with an undefeated regular season streak.[2][3] Toronto would also defeat the Serbian White Eagles for the NSL Cup.[4] The Croatians would secure a treble by winning the Open Canada Cup against Vancouver Columbus.[5] In the playoffs, Toronto Italia defeated the Serbian White Eagles for the NSL Championship.[6]
Overview
The ownership of the National Soccer League (NSL) was in discussions with the British Columbia Premier League to form a western division, but the project failed to materialize.[7] The membership in the NSL increased to 15 clubs with the return of Toronto Italia, and the acceptance of the Hamilton Italo-Canadians which competed in the Inter-City Soccer League.[8][9] The return of Toronto Italia further intensified the rivalry between the NSL and the Toronto Metros of the North American Soccer League as the Italian diaspora played a decisive factor in the potential increase in match attendance.[10] Another point of contention between the Metros and the NSL was a dispute stemming from a potential player raid on the NSL's youth division.[11] The Hamilton club was granted an NSL franchise and had credentials in the Inter-City Soccer League.[4] After a change in ownership the Kitchener-based club was renamed Maple Leafs.[12]
The league became once more centered in Southern Ontario as it lost its presence in Northern Ontario with the departure of Sudbury City.[13][14] The NSL began to experience an increase in match attendance since its initial decrease and stagnation in the mid-1960s.[15][16]
Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium Attendance: 4237 Referee: Bill Divorski
Canadian Open Cup
The Canadian Open Cup was a tournament organized by the National Soccer League in 1971 where the NSL champion would face the Challenge Trophy winners to determine the best team throughout the country.[33]Toronto Croatia was the NSL representative for the second consecutive year while their opponents were the British Columbia Premier League champions Vancouver Columbus.[34] New Westminster Blues was the 1972 Challenge Trophy winner but declined the invitation which allowed Vancouver Columbus to compete for the title.[35][36]
^"CSL Past Champions"(PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
^Kernaghan, Jim (September 15, 1972). "Croatia's record is remarkable". Toronto Star. p. 20.
^ abJose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. pp. 117, 119.
^ ab"Croatia defeats Vancouver side in controversial Canadian final". The Globe and Mail. October 16, 1972. p. S10.
^ abWaring, Ed (October 6, 1972). "Penalty kick hands Italia soccer crown". The Globe and Mail. p. 41.
^"Summer Circuit with Six Teams". Times Colonist. December 21, 1971. p. 14.
^"Expansion in east and west for National Soccer League". The Globe and Mail. December 8, 1971. p. 44.
^ abcdeLovegrove, Don (28 April 1972). "Apollos open city soccer season". Hamilton Spectator. p. 18.
^Kernaghan, Jim (April 27, 1972). "Soccer battle developing here". Toronto Star. p. 30.
^Kernaghan, Jim (November 24, 1972). "Canada soccer team threatened". Toronto Star. p. 22.
^ ab"Ottawa Tigers set for soccer opener". Ottawa Journal. May 6, 1972. p. 19.
^ abcdefgh"Under-23 all-stars under-staffed in 6-1 loss to Italia: Soccer exhibition raises funds, gives young talent experience". The Globe and Mail. July 17, 1972. p. S3.
^Kernaghan, Jim (May 25, 1972). "Coach really has soccer bug". Toronto Star. p. 23.
^ ab"Kitchener's NSL Entry - Soccer Leafs not ethnic club". Waterloo Region Record. 12 April 1972. p. 18.
^ abWaring, Ed (May 1, 1972). "Blaskovic broke ice then leg in '72 soccer season opener". The Globe and Mail. p. S4.
^Jose, Colin (1998). Canadian Encyclopedia of Soccer - Keeping Score. Vaughan, Ontario: Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 121. ISBN0-9683800-0-X.
^"Croatia gets alternative foe". Toronto Star. October 7, 1972. p. 130.
^Kernaghan, Jim (October 3, 1972). "National League champs to play New Westminster". Toronto Star. p. 24.
^Kernaghan, Jim (October 5, 1972). "New Westminster win protested by San Fili". Toronto Star. p. 21.