# 1982 National Soccer League (Canada) season

The 1982 National Soccer League season was the fifty-ninth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May, 1982 and concluded in late October 1982 with the NSL Championship final where Hamilton Steelers successfully defended their title against Toronto Italia in a two-legged series final. Toronto Italia would still achieve a double by producing an undefeated streak to claim the regular-season title and the NSL Cup by defeating St. Catharines Roma.
The season also marked the final time when the NSL would operate a franchise in the United States.

## Overview

As reports of a potential Canadian national soccer league were becoming more imminent as an alternative to the American based North American Soccer League (NASL) two rival parties the Canadian Major Soccer League (CMSL) and the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) were attempting to receive sanctioning from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and were competing for national sponsorship. The CMSL attempted to recruit the Ontario-based National Soccer League (NSL) to the discussions to deploy the NSL as the league's eastern affiliate. In December, the CPSL was officially announced and set to debut for the following season with two NSL clubs Hamilton Steelers and Toronto Croatia under the name Mississauga Croatia being granted franchises. The CMSL on the other hand received provisional sanctioning from the CSA in January 1983. After failing to secure any national sponsorship the CMSL failed to make its debut.
The number of teams within the NSL remained the same as the previous season except for the departure of Toronto Ukrainia. The amount remained as ten teams as a new entry that represented the Latin American community in the Greater Toronto Area known as Dinamo Latino was granted an NSL franchise. Near the conclusion of the season, the league lost its presence in the United States when Detroit Besa withdrew from the competition. A notable friendly tournament sponsored by the Labatt Brewing Company featured European teams such as Celtic F.C. and Dinamo Zagreb against Toronto Italia and Toronto Panhellenic. Toronto Italia managed to upset Celtic with a defeat but ultimately was defeated by Zagreb in the finals. Former league president Joe Piccininni returned to his former post and attempts of a television deal with MTV were announced in hopes of broadcasting league matches.

### Teams

| Team | City | Stadium | Manager |
| Bradford Marshlanders | Bradford, Ontario | | |
| Detroit Besa | Detroit, Michigan | Keyworth Stadium | |
| Dinamo Latino | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | Pedro Kozak |
| Hamilton Steelers | Hamilton, Ontario | Brian Timmis Stadium | Kevin Grant |
| London City | London, Ontario | Cove Road Stadium | |
| St. Catharines Roma | St. Catharines, Ontario | Club Roma Stadium | |
| Toronto Croatia | Etobicoke, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | |
| Toronto Falcons | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | |
| Toronto First Portuguese | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | |
| Toronto Italia | Etobicoke, Ontario | Centennial Park Stadium | Carlo Del Monte |
| Toronto Panhellenic | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | |
* ↑ Detroit withdrew from league midway through the season

#### Coaching changes

| Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming coach | Date of appointment |
| Dinamo Latino | Artigas Cruz | resigned | July 21, 1982 | | Pedro Kozak | July 21, 1982 |

## Final standings

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Toronto Italia (C) | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 43 | 10 | +33 | 32 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 2 | Hamilton Steelers (O) | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 31 | 21 | +10 | 23 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 3 | St. Catharines Roma | 18 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 19 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 4 | Toronto Panhellenic | 18 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 22 | −2 | 19 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 5 | London City | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 33 | 29 | +4 | 18 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 6 | Toronto First Portuguese | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 28 | 27 | +1 | 17 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 7 | Bradford Marshlanders | 18 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 24 | 29 | −5 | 16 | |
| 8 | Dinamo Latino | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 23 | −3 | 14 | |
| 9 | Toronto Falcons | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 39 | −20 | 12 | |
| 10 | Toronto Croatia | 18 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 29 | −14 | 10 | |