# 1996 Canadian National Soccer League season

The 1996 Canadian National Soccer League season was the seventy-fourth season for the Canadian National Soccer League. The season began on May 31, 1996, and concluded on October 27, 1996, with Toronto Italia defeating St. Catharines Wolves in a two-game series for the CNSL Championship. St. Catharines managed to secure their fourth league cup title after finishing first in the tournament standings.

## Overview

The membership in the league increased to seven teams with three new entries. The league expanded to the Oakville territory with the addition of the Oakville Canadian Westerns, and the acceptance of Toronto Supra from the Canadian International Soccer League (Puma League). While the North York Talons represented the Caribbean Community in the Greater Toronto Area. The Hamilton White Eagles departed to join the Canadian International Soccer League, and the Toronto Jets merged with Toronto Italia.
Toronto Italia under new ownership transferred their home venue to Rainbow Creek Stadium in Woodbridge, Vaughan. Italia also managed to recruit Diego Maradona for the CNSL All-Star match. In the league's executive branch Peter Li Preti served as president, and Michael Di Biase as commissioner.

### Teams

| Team | City | Stadium | Manager |
| London City | London, Ontario | Cove Road Stadium | Steve Roney |
| North York Talons | North York, Ontario | Esther Shiner Stadium | Trevor Dennis |
| Oakville Canadian Westerns | Oakville, Ontario | Sheridan College | Mike Palmiotta |
| Scarborough Astros | Scarborough, Ontario | Birchmount Stadium | Jorge Armua |
| St. Catharines Wolves | St. Catharines, Ontario (Vansickle) | Club Roma Stadium | Mark Konert |
| Toronto Italia | Vaughan, Ontario | Rainbow Creek Stadium | Peter Pinizzotto |
| Toronto Supra | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | |

## Final standings

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Toronto Italia (C, O) | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 51 | 7 | +44 | 32 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 2 | St. Catharines Wolves | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 36 | 4 | +32 | 26 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 3 | Toronto Supra | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 25 | 12 | +13 | 22 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 4 | Oakville Western Canadians | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 18 | +8 | 17 | Qualification for Playoffs |
| 5 | London City | 12 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 41 | −31 | 10 | |
| 6 | Scarborough Astros | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 23 | −21 | 3 | |
| 7 | North York Talons | 12 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 53 | −45 | 2 | |

## Playoffs
### Semifinals

St. Catharines won the series 2–1 on aggregate.
Toronto won the series 6–4 on aggregate.

### Finals

| GK | 1 | Joe Ciaravino | |
| RB | 2 | John Annisi |
| CB | 5 | Tom Perks |
| CB | 4 | Richard Alexander |
| LB | 3 | Franco Spadafina |
| RM | 20 | Nick Maxwell | |
| CM | 6 | Jack Zomparelli | |
| LM | 7 | Miguel Ferreira | |
| ST | 12 | Anthony Zanini | 72' |
| ST | 10 | Lalo Maradona | |
| ST | 8 | Ryan Gamble | 72' |
| Substitutes: ||
| DF | 18 | Lou Fiaccola | 72' |
| MF | 11 | Marco Antonucci | 72' |
| MF | 16 | Garvin Houston | |
| MF | 23 | Phil Caporella | |
| Manager: ||
| Peter Pinizzotto ||
| GK | 1 | Dino Perri |
| RB | 3 | McIver Broomes |
| CB | 2 | John McNeil |
| CB | 9 | Peyvand Mossavat |
| LB | 15 | Jerry Cipriani |
| RM | 20 | Tom Bernardi |
| CM | 19 | Anton Skerritt |
| LM | 8 | Rick Titus |
| ST | 9 | Paul Moore |
| ST | 14 | Gary Bryan |
| ST | 25 | Carlo Arghittu |
| Manager: ||
| Dino Perri ||
* Assistant referees:
* Bill Teeuwen
* Norma Clark
Toronto won 11–0 on aggregate.

## Cup

The cup tournament was a separate contest from the rest of the season, in which all seven teams took part. All the matches were separate from the regular season. Teams played each other once home and away in the Cup competition, and the first-place team would win the Cup competition. One match involving Toronto Italia and London City failed to materialize, but was of no consequence as St. Catharines Wolves accumulated enough points to secure the title.

### Standings

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | St. Catharines Wolves (C) | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 9 | +24 | 31 |
| 2 | Toronto Italia | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 8 | +23 | 26 |
| 3 | Toronto Supra | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 13 | +19 | 26 |
| 4 | Oakville Canadian Westerns | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 21 | −1 | 17 |
| 5 | London City | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 22 | −8 | 11 |
| 6 | Scarborough Astros | 12 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 31 | −19 | 7 |
| 7 | North York Talons | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 43 | −38 | 0 |

### Matches
## All-Star game

The all-star team assembled by the league was limited in its selection of players due to St. Catharines, and Oakville protesting the allowance of their players. As St. Catharines earlier on participated in a European tour, and their players required the necessary rest. Toronto Italia were selected as the opposition, and managed to attract Diego Maradona to play alongside his brother Lalo Maradona. The match was commemorated as the 75th anniversary of the league, and advertised as one of Diego Maradona's final matches. The reported payoff to Maradona was $40,000 with Boca Juniors receiving a share due to ownership of player rights. An additional $15,000 was charged if reporters wished to conduct an interview, and the league insured Maradona for five million dollars.
| GK | 1 | Paulo Silva | 65' |
| RB | 2 | Leonardo Simon |
| CB | 3 | Rene Martin |
| CB | 4 | John DiBuono | 64' |
| LB | 17 | Paul Hillman | |
| RM | 5 | Leo Lopez | 64' |
| CM | 7 | Tony Tavares | 64' |
| CM | 8 | Alex Nardi | 45' |
| LM | 10 | Adolfo Mella |
| ST | 16 | John Bottineau | 45' |
| ST | 14 | Gus Kouzmanis | |
| Substitutes: ||
| GK | 12 | Milan Popov | 65' |
| DF | 24 | Tonino Commisso | 45' |
| DF | 25 | Gerald Gallacher | 64' |
| MF | 11 | Lincoln Williams | 64' |
| MF | 6 | Ian Bryan | 64' |
| FW | 9 | Luan Jonuzi | |
| FW | 13 | Anthony Dominique | 64' |
| GK | 1 | Joe Ciaravino | 86' |
| RB | 3 | Franco Spadafina |
| CB | 4 | Richard Alexander |
| CB | 5 | Tom Perks |
| LB | 2 | John Annisi | 45' |
| RM | 11 | Marco Antonucci | 57' |
| CM | 9 | Lalo Maradona | |
| CM | 10 | Diego Maradona | 85' |
| LM | 6 | Jack Zomparelli | |
| CF | 22 | Michele Gioia | 57' |
| CF | 23 | Phil Caporella | 78' |
| Substitutes: ||
| GK | 00 | Mike Ivancescu | 86' |
| DF | 7 | Miguel Ferreira | |
| DF | 18 | Lou Fiaccola | 85' |
| MF | 16 | Garvin Houston | 78' |
| MF | 20 | Nick Maxwell | 45' |
| FW | 12 | Antony Zanini | 57' |
| FW | 8 | Ryan Gamble | 57' |
| Manager: ||
| Peter Pinizotto ||

## Individual awards

The annual Canadian National Soccer League awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Princess Banquet Hall in Vaughan, Ontario with an attendance of 400 people. The majority of the awards were received by Toronto Italia with eight recipients. After leading Toronto to an undefeated streak, the double head coach Peter Pinizzotto was given the honor of Coach of the Year. Michele Gioia was named both the MVP, a Golden Boot winner consequently the following season he was signed by the Montreal Impact in the USISL A-League. For the second consecutive season Joe Ciaravino received the Goalkeeper of the Year, and also later was given a contract with the Toronto Lynx. The administrative branch of Toronto Italia was recognized with honors with Joe Mallozzi winning the Manager of the Year, and Pasquale Fioccola being awarded the President of the Year.
Toronto Supra came in second with two awards with Gus Kouzmanis being named the Rookie of the Year. The Best Public Relations Director award was given to Sergio Giancola, who notably later was instrumental in acquiring a Major Arena Soccer League franchise in the GTA as the Mississauga MetroStars. The remainder of the awards went to North York Talons as the Most Improved, and London City as the Most Disciplined team. The Referee of the Year went to match official Manuel Orellana.
| Award | Player (Club) |
| CNSL Most Valuable Player | Michele Gioia (Toronto Italia) |
| CNSL Golden Boot | Michele Gioia (Toronto Italia) |
| CNSL Goalkeeper of the Year Award | Joe Ciaravino (Toronto Italia) |
| CNSL Rookie of the Year Award | Gus Kouzmanis (Toronto Supra) |
| CNSL Coach of the Year Award | Peter Pinizzotto (Toronto Italia) |
| CNSL Manager of the Year Award | Joe Mallozzi (Toronto Italia) |
| CNSL President of the Year Award | Pasquale Fioccola (Toronto Italia) |
| CNSL Best Public Relations Director Award | Sergio Giancola (Toronto Supra) |
| CNSL Referee of the Year Award | Manuel Orellana |
| CNSL Most Improved Team Award | North York Talons |
| CNSL Most Disciplined Team Award | London City |