1982 National Soccer League
President: Joe Piccininni
Preview
Toronto alderman Joe Piccininni returned as president.
Clubs and players
The new South American team Dinamo Latino were strengthened by players from Argentina. They also imported Peruvian Carlos Lazon.
First Portuguese brought in former Toronto Metros coach Artur Rodrigues as general manager. The club operated six teams, including one girls’ team. Led by the goalscoring of Hildeberto Ponte the First Portuguese team finished fifth.
Hamilton Steelers finished second this season with a team that included former Blizzard players Graham Hatley and Gordon Wallace. After the season Hamilton Steelers joined the new Canadian Professional Soccer League that would operate for the first time in 1983.
Panhellenic star player Leon Voudouris helped his team to a fourth place finish.
Review of the season
The league started what was said to be its 57th season with 1981 league champions Hamilton Steelers meeting Toronto Italia at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton on Sunday May 16th. Italia won the game 3-1.
The very strong Toronto Italia team would go undefeated through their league season.
The struggling Detroit Besa team withdrew from the league during the season. After the season Bradford Marshlanders took a one-year leave of absence, but never returned to the league.
Leading goalscorer – Carlos Salguero
National Soccer League final standings
| GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
| Toronto Italia | 18 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 43 | 10 | 32 |
| Hamilton Steelers | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 31 | 21 | 23 |
| St. Catharines Roma | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 33 | 33 | 19 |
| Panhellenic | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 22 | 19 |
| London City | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 33 | 29 | 18 |
| First Portuguese | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 27 | 17 |
| Bradford Marshlanders | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 24 | 29 | 16 |
| Dinamo Latino | 18 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 20 | 23 | 14 |
| Toronto Falcons | 18 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 19 | 39 | 12 |
| Toronto Croatia | 18 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 29 | 9 |
| Leading goalscorers: | Goals |
| 1. Carlos Salguero (Toronto Italia) | 16 |
| 2. Hildeberto Ponte (First Portuguese) |
National Soccer League Playoffs
Semi-finals
1. Leg
Hamilton Steelers 2
London City 0
2. Leg
Hamilton Steelers 3
London City 2
Hamilton Steelers qualified for finals
1. Leg
Toronto Italia
First Portuguese
2. Leg, October 10, 1982 Centennial Stadium, Etobicoke, Toronto
Toronto Italia 2 (Cosimo Comisso, David Crabb)
First Portuguese 1 (Stewart Miller)
After overtime
Toronto Italia qualified for finals
NSL Championship Finals
1. Leg, October 20, 1982 Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton
Hamilton Steelers 2
Toronto Italia 1
2. Leg, October 24, 1982 Centennial Stadium, Etobicoke, Toronto
Toronto Italia 1 (Joao Moniz 22:00)
Hamilton Steelers 1 (Emil Rehak 58:00)
Hamilton Steelers won the 1982 NSL Play-off Championship.
National Soccer League Cup
NSL Cup Final First Leg
September 19, 1982 Centennial Stadium, Toronto
Toronto Italia 3 (Fred Ferrara, John Moniz, Eddie McNally)
St. Catharines Roma 0
NSL Cup Final Second Leg
September 22, 1982 St. Catharines
St. Catharines Roma
Toronto Italia
Toronto Italia won the 1982 NSL Cup
Labatt’s international soccer tournament
July ??, 1982 Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Greek Panhellenic
Dynamo Zagreb
July 16, 1982 Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Attendance:
Toronto Italia 4
Glasgow Celtic 1
Read about the match here
Final
July 18, 1982 Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Attendance: 11,552
Toronto Italia 0
Dynamo Zagreb 2 (Snješko Cerin 2)
Concellation final
July 18, 1982 Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Greek Panhellenic 0
Glasgow Celtic 7
Exhibition games
June 9, 1982 Hale Stadium, Tennessee State, Nashville
Nashville Diamonds
London City 0