Ottawa Intrepid
Encyclopedia
Ottawa Pioneers/Intrepid was the name of the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) entry from the National Capital Region from 1987-1989 Ottawa, Ontario.
The club was a charter member of the Canadian Soccer League in 1987 and was known in its first season of existence as the National Capital Pioneers. Bob Wilson was named the club's President, Tom D'Amico was the Pioneer's first General Manager and Bill Thompson
was the team's first Head Coach.
With the CSL adopting the playing rules of FIFA in which games must be played on natural grass, the Pioneers were forced to play their home games in 1987 across the Ottawa river in Aylmer, Quebec
. Lansdowne Park
, a much larger CFL football stadium in the city of Ottawa, had artificial surface which forced the club to seek a playing surface in Aylmer, QC for the 1987 season.
Key scorers on the Pioneers that inaugural season included F John Roumelis (5 goals), M Ed McNally (4 goals) and M Mark Purdy (4 goals). The midfield was patrolled by captain M Lyndon Hooper
, M Ed McNally, M Allan Spink and M Mark Purdy. In the back the team had a gritty set of defenders in D John Limniatis
, D Iain Baird
, D Tom Panhuyzen and D John Vidovich. Goalkeeper Don Ferguson
started 19 of the 20 Pioneer games.
The Pioneers hosted the 3rd place Toronto Blizzard in the 1987 CSL Eastern Semi-Final and lost a 2-1 decision to the visitors at Aylmer Sports Park. The club averaged 1,537 fans a game in 1987.
Other members of the 1987 Pioneers included GK Mark Stokes (1 gp), D Patrick Diotte
(8 gp), M Sean Holmes
(2 gp), M Jay Johnstone (2 gp), M Fred Juett (3 gp), M Michael Lanos (5 gp), M Marty Lauter (8 gp), M Peter Mackie (16 gp) F Mike Williams (8 gp) and F Frank Agananostopolous (2 gp).
Terry Fox Stadium
, a quaint little athletic field adjacent the Mooney's Bay in Ottawa's south end, would serve as the home stadium for the Intrepid in 1988. The bleachers capacity was approximately 2,000 with some standing room along the track that encompassed the pitch. The club averaged 1,823 fans per game in 1988.
In 1988 the Intrepid finished the season with a 8-11-9 record, finishing 4th in the CSL Eastern Division, however, the club failed to qualify for the post-season - three points behind the third place North York Rockets (10-10-8).
Rookie F Dallas Moen led the Intrepid in scoring that year with 10 markers. Veteran F Ed McNally added 7 goals, while M Paul O'Brien counted 5 in the 1988 campaign. Members of the 1988 Intrepid included national team M Gerry Gray
(23 gp), rookie M Julian Loy (25 gp), D Alex Percy (22 gp), D Tony Panhuyzen
(25 gp) and D Iain Baird. GK Don Ferguson had another solid year in goal for Ottawa starting all 26 games for the Intrepid.
who went onto have a stellar season netting 21 goals in 26 games.
Ottawa featured the acquisition of national team D Paul James as the club's player-coach for the 1989 campaign, however the club struggled with a 7-11-8 mark and finished in 4th place in the east, once again out of the playoff picture.
Key members of the 1989 Intrepid were M Marco Luchetta (23 gp), M Tom Soehn
(16 gp), M Miroslaw Piekos (23 gp), M Neil Wilkinson (Canadian soccer)Neil Wilkinson (22 gp), D John Vidovich (25 gp), D Lino Tomassetti (22 gp), M Fred Juett (25 gp), D John Stewart (26 gp), D Peter Gilfillan
(21 gp) and player-coach D Paul James (24 gp). The goal keepers were import GK Mauro Pippo (16 gp, a mid-season acquisition from North York) and GK Gary Kraft (5 gp).
The club was a charter member of the Canadian Soccer League in 1987 and was known in its first season of existence as the National Capital Pioneers. Bob Wilson was named the club's President, Tom D'Amico was the Pioneer's first General Manager and Bill Thompson
Bill Thompson
Bill Thompson may refer to:*Bill Thompson , 42nd New York City Comptroller and Democratic nominee for New York City Mayor*Bill Thompson , voice actor who played Droopy Dog and in a number of Disney films...
was the team's first Head Coach.
With the CSL adopting the playing rules of FIFA in which games must be played on natural grass, the Pioneers were forced to play their home games in 1987 across the Ottawa river in Aylmer, Quebec
Aylmer, Quebec
Aylmer is a former city in Quebec, Canada. It became a sector of the City of Gatineau on January 1, 2002. Located on the Ottawa River and Route 148 it is a part of the National Capital Region. The population in 2006 was 41 882 — approx. 16% of Gatineau...
. Lansdowne Park
Lansdowne Park
Lansdowne Park is a historic sports, exhibition and entertainment facility in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, owned by the City of Ottawa. It is located along Bank Street and is adjacent to the Rideau Canal, in central Ottawa...
, a much larger CFL football stadium in the city of Ottawa, had artificial surface which forced the club to seek a playing surface in Aylmer, QC for the 1987 season.
1987 CSL Season
The Pioneers that season were a scrappy club finishing with a 7-9-4 record and second in the CSL's Eastern Division with 23 points - 3 points ahead of the established Toronto Blizzard. The club was a low-scoring, defensive-minded club that finished 3rd in the 8-team league with just 23 goals against in 20 contests.Key scorers on the Pioneers that inaugural season included F John Roumelis (5 goals), M Ed McNally (4 goals) and M Mark Purdy (4 goals). The midfield was patrolled by captain M Lyndon Hooper
Lyndon Hooper
Lyndon Hooper is a former professional Canadian soccer player and former assistant coach of the Toronto Lynx soccer team of the United Soccer Leagues First Division...
, M Ed McNally, M Allan Spink and M Mark Purdy. In the back the team had a gritty set of defenders in D John Limniatis
John Limniatis
John Limniatis is a retired Canadian professional footballer. He played 44 times and scored one goal for the Canadian national soccer team and was formerly the head coach of the Montreal Impact.-Club career:...
, D Iain Baird
Iain Baird
Iain Baird is a former Canadian soccer defender who earned nine caps with the Canadian national soccer team between 1984 and 1986.Baird played for the Victoria Riptides during the 1985 Western Soccer Alliance Challenge Cup...
, D Tom Panhuyzen and D John Vidovich. Goalkeeper Don Ferguson
Don Ferguson (soccer)
Don Ferguson is a retired Canadian soccer player who won 11 caps for the national side.-External links:*...
started 19 of the 20 Pioneer games.
The Pioneers hosted the 3rd place Toronto Blizzard in the 1987 CSL Eastern Semi-Final and lost a 2-1 decision to the visitors at Aylmer Sports Park. The club averaged 1,537 fans a game in 1987.
Other members of the 1987 Pioneers included GK Mark Stokes (1 gp), D Patrick Diotte
Patrick Diotte
-Club career:Born in the Greater Montreal area, Diotte started his professional career with Ottawa side Ottawa Pioneers before moving to Montreal Supra in 1988. He then spent the rest of his career at Supra and Montreal Impact.-International career:...
(8 gp), M Sean Holmes
Sean Holmes
Sean Holmes is a British theatre director and, from spring 2009, artistic director of London’s Lyric Hammersmith.-Early career:Sean Holmes took a masters degree at King's College, London and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in text and performance...
(2 gp), M Jay Johnstone (2 gp), M Fred Juett (3 gp), M Michael Lanos (5 gp), M Marty Lauter (8 gp), M Peter Mackie (16 gp) F Mike Williams (8 gp) and F Frank Agananostopolous (2 gp).
1988 CSL Season
With a restructured ownership and a new home in Ottawa, the club was renamed the Ottawa Intrepid for the 1988 CSL season.Terry Fox Stadium
Terry Fox Stadium
Terry Fox Stadium, also known as the Terry Fox Athletic Facility is an athletic field in Ottawa, Canada, named after cancer research activist Terry Fox. It has a regulation-size natural grass soccer field, surrounded by a 400 metre track. Surrounding the track are bleachers with a capacity of...
, a quaint little athletic field adjacent the Mooney's Bay in Ottawa's south end, would serve as the home stadium for the Intrepid in 1988. The bleachers capacity was approximately 2,000 with some standing room along the track that encompassed the pitch. The club averaged 1,823 fans per game in 1988.
In 1988 the Intrepid finished the season with a 8-11-9 record, finishing 4th in the CSL Eastern Division, however, the club failed to qualify for the post-season - three points behind the third place North York Rockets (10-10-8).
Rookie F Dallas Moen led the Intrepid in scoring that year with 10 markers. Veteran F Ed McNally added 7 goals, while M Paul O'Brien counted 5 in the 1988 campaign. Members of the 1988 Intrepid included national team M Gerry Gray
Gerry Gray
Gerard "Gerry" Gray is a former Canadian national soccer team player who is currently the head coach of Tacoma F.C..-Club career:...
(23 gp), rookie M Julian Loy (25 gp), D Alex Percy (22 gp), D Tony Panhuyzen
Tony Panhuyzen
Tony Panhuyzen is a retired Canadian association football player who earned 4 caps for the Canadian national side between 1987 and 1988. He played club football for the Ottawa Pioneers.-External links:*...
(25 gp) and D Iain Baird. GK Don Ferguson had another solid year in goal for Ottawa starting all 26 games for the Intrepid.
1989 CSL Season
The 1989 season saw the Intrepid sign US National F Ted EckTed Eck
Ted Eck is a retired American soccer player who played for numerous clubs in the United States and Canada over a thirteen year professional career. He also earned thirteen caps with the U.S. national team between 1989 and 1996.He coached the Ogden Outlaws in the USL Premier Development League...
who went onto have a stellar season netting 21 goals in 26 games.
Ottawa featured the acquisition of national team D Paul James as the club's player-coach for the 1989 campaign, however the club struggled with a 7-11-8 mark and finished in 4th place in the east, once again out of the playoff picture.
Key members of the 1989 Intrepid were M Marco Luchetta (23 gp), M Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn
Tom Soehn is an American former soccer player and manager, who is currently the Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
(16 gp), M Miroslaw Piekos (23 gp), M Neil Wilkinson (Canadian soccer)Neil Wilkinson (22 gp), D John Vidovich (25 gp), D Lino Tomassetti (22 gp), M Fred Juett (25 gp), D John Stewart (26 gp), D Peter Gilfillan
Peter Gilfillan
Peter Gilfillan is a former professional Canadian soccer defender.-Club career:After leaving Wilfrid Laurier University in 1990 he joined Ottawa Intrepid of the Canadian Soccer League....
(21 gp) and player-coach D Paul James (24 gp). The goal keepers were import GK Mauro Pippo (16 gp, a mid-season acquisition from North York) and GK Gary Kraft (5 gp).
Famous players
- Ted EckTed EckTed Eck is a retired American soccer player who played for numerous clubs in the United States and Canada over a thirteen year professional career. He also earned thirteen caps with the U.S. national team between 1989 and 1996.He coached the Ogden Outlaws in the USL Premier Development League...
- Gary Kraft
- Mauro Pippo
- Paul James
- Peter GilfillanPeter GilfillanPeter Gilfillan is a former professional Canadian soccer defender.-Club career:After leaving Wilfrid Laurier University in 1990 he joined Ottawa Intrepid of the Canadian Soccer League....
- John Stewart
- Marco Luchetta
- Tom SoehnTom SoehnTom Soehn is an American former soccer player and manager, who is currently the Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
- Miroslaw Piekos
- Neil Wilkinson
- Lino Tomassetti
- Fred Juett
- John Vidovich
- Dallas Moen
- Ed McNally
- Paul O'Brien
- Gerry GrayGerry GrayGerard "Gerry" Gray is a former Canadian national soccer team player who is currently the head coach of Tacoma F.C..-Club career:...
- Julian Loy
- Alex Percy
- Tony PanhuyzenTony PanhuyzenTony Panhuyzen is a retired Canadian association football player who earned 4 caps for the Canadian national side between 1987 and 1988. He played club football for the Ottawa Pioneers.-External links:*...
- Iain BairdIain BairdIain Baird is a former Canadian soccer defender who earned nine caps with the Canadian national soccer team between 1984 and 1986.Baird played for the Victoria Riptides during the 1985 Western Soccer Alliance Challenge Cup...
- Mark Stokes
- Patrick DiottePatrick Diotte-Club career:Born in the Greater Montreal area, Diotte started his professional career with Ottawa side Ottawa Pioneers before moving to Montreal Supra in 1988. He then spent the rest of his career at Supra and Montreal Impact.-International career:...
- Sean HolmesSean HolmesSean Holmes is a British theatre director and, from spring 2009, artistic director of London’s Lyric Hammersmith.-Early career:Sean Holmes took a masters degree at King's College, London and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in text and performance...
- Jay Johnstone
- Michael Lanos
- Marty Lauter
- Peter Mackie
- Mark Purdy
- Mike Williams
- Frank Agananostopolous
- John Roumelis
- Ed McNally
- Mark Purdy
- Lyndon HooperLyndon HooperLyndon Hooper is a former professional Canadian soccer player and former assistant coach of the Toronto Lynx soccer team of the United Soccer Leagues First Division...
- John LimniatisJohn LimniatisJohn Limniatis is a retired Canadian professional footballer. He played 44 times and scored one goal for the Canadian national soccer team and was formerly the head coach of the Montreal Impact.-Club career:...
- Alan Spink
- Pierre GroulxPierre GroulxPierre Groulx became in 2009 the new goaltender coach of the Montreal Canadiens. On July 6, 2009, general manager Bob Gainey made the official announcement. He supplements the personnel of head coach Jacques Martin and assistants Kirk Muller and Perry Pearn...
- Don FergusonDon Ferguson (soccer)Don Ferguson is a retired Canadian soccer player who won 11 caps for the national side.-External links:*...
- Mark WatsonMark WatsonMark Stewart Watson is a professional soccer player who has earned the second most caps in the history of the Canadian national team.-Playing career:...