1995 Canadian National Soccer League
Preview
Before the season started the league dropped the two Montreal franchises, Croatia and Ramblers, in order to reduce travelling costs. The league added the Hamilton White Eagles. Returning teams were London City, Scarborough Astros, St. Catharines Roma, Toronto Italia and Toronto Jets.
The league started using the three points for a win, one point for a draw system for the first time.
Star player – ‘Lalo’ Maradona (Toronto Italia)
The big headline before the start of the season was the signing of Raul Alfredo ‘Lalo’ Maradona by Toronto Italia. The brother of Diego, Lalo had a bright start in soccer with Boca Juniors in Argentina and was later signed by Spanish club Granada. He later played in Japan, Venezuela, United States and he also played futsal.
1995 NSL Most Valuable Player – Chris Handsor (St. Catharines Wolves)
Defender Chris Handsor started his career at the University of Akron. In 1995 he was picked as the Most Valuable Player in the Canadian National Soccer League.
1995 CNSL Leading Goalscorer – Laszlo Martonfi (Scarborough Astros)
| No. | Player | League | Cup | Total |
| 1. | Laszlo Martonfi (Scarborough Astros) | 4 | 8 | 12 |
1995 CNSL Leading Goalkeeper – Joe Ciaravino (Toronto Jets)
18 year old goalkeeper Joe Ciaravino started his career with North York Azzuri. In 1995 he was picked as the leading goalkeeper in the Canadian National Soccer League.
Clubs and players
Other noticeable signings in the NSL before the season were Iraqi midfielder Basil Gorgis Hanna by the Scarborough Astros and Cameroon sweeper Patrice Tobo by Toronto Italia. Hanna played in Iraq’s three matches in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Patrice Tobo had played in Cameroon’s first division.
Review of the season
The CNSL opened what they said was its 73rd season on Friday May 26, 1995 at the Cove Road Field in London. The season opener, played between London City and Scarborough Astros ended in a 1-0 win for City. Toronto Italia opened its season against the Hamilton White Eagles on May 29. Lalo Maradona had a goalscoring debut getting Italia’s final goal in the 3-1 win.
Mark Konert led the St. Catharines Wolves to all three titles. Wolves winning the league championship, the league play-offs and the Umbro Cup final. Konert won the NSL Coach-of-the-Year award and Chris Handsor was voted league MVP. The awards night was held on November 17th at the City of North York Council Chambers. Other winners were Rookie-of-the-Year John Bottineau (London City) and Goalie-of-the-Year Joe Ciaravino (Toronto Jets)
The highlight of the season was the exhibition match between the CNSL All-Stars and Parma of Italy. Parma had won the 1994-95 UEFA Cup and featured world class stars like Dino Baggio, Gianfranco Zola, Hristov Stoickov and Inzhaghi. The match was played at Varsity Stadium and was watched by more than 17,000 fans, with Parma winning 5-0. Rocket Robin in his summary of the match on his website in 1995 considered Lalo Maradona to be the only CNSL player to be world class. As he ”constantly set up De Leon with passes at midfield. Parma had the finishing touches needed though”.
After the season the Hamilton White Eagles joined the Puma League that had been formed in Toronto in 1995. Toronto Jets merged with Toronto Italia.
1995 CNSL All Stars
Final standings
Goalkeeper – Dino Perri (St Catharines Wolves)
Defender – Rene Martin (Scarborough Astros)
Defender – Jeff Brown (London City)
Defender – Shawn Taggart (London City)
Defender – Tom Perks (Toronto Jets)
Midfielder – Chris Handsor (St Catharines Wolves)
Midfielder – Jack Zomparelli (Toronto Jets)
Midfielder – Orlando Rizzo (Toronto Jets)
Midfielder – Lucio Ianiero (St Catharines Wolves)
Forward – John Bottineau (London City)
Forward – Gary Deleon (Scarborough Astros)
| GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
| Toronto Jets | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 13 | 20 |
| St. Catharines Wolves | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 12 | 19 |
| Toronto Italia | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 16 | 15 |
| London City | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 15 | 13 |
| Scarborough Astros | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 15 | 10 |
| Hamilton White Eagles | 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 27 | 4 |
NSL Playoff Finals
October 30, 1995 St. Catharines
St. Catharines Wolves 1
Toronto Jets 1
November 2, 1995 Esther Shiner Stadium, North York
St. Catharines Wolves 2
Toronto Jets 1
St. Catharines Wolves won the series
1995 CNSL League Results
| Date | Home | Visitors | Att. |
| 26/05/1995 | London City 1 | Scarborough Astros 0 | |
| 29/05/1995 | |||
| 30/05/1995 | |||
| 02/06/1995 | |||
| 08/06/1995 | |||
| 03/07/1995 | Toronto Italia | St. Catharines Wolves | 1-4 |
| 20/07/1995 | |||
| 01/08/1995 | |||
| 04/09/1995 | |||
| 06/09/1995 | |||
| GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
| Scarborough Astros | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 21 | 8 | 22 |
| St. Catharines Wolves | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 17 |
| Toronto Jets | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 15 |
| Toronto Italia | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 20 | 21 | 14 |
| Hamilton White Eagles | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 25 | 8 |
| London City | 10 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 23 | 6 |
Umbro Cup Finals
October 10, 1995 St. Catharines
St. Catharines Wolves 0
Scarborough Astros 0
October 15, 1995 Birchmount Stadium, Scarborough
Scarborough Astros 0
St. Catharines Wolves 0
After two 0-0 draws St. Catharines Wolves won 3-0 on a shootout in the last game.
Exhibition game
August 13, 1995 Varsity Stadium, Toronto
Attendance: 18,000
Canadian National Soccer League All-Stars 0
Parma (Italy) 5
CNSL: Paulo Silva, Rene Martin, Franco Spadafina, Richard Alexander, Chris Handsor, Brown, Jack Zomparelli, Lucio Ianierio, Peyvand Mossavat, Lalo Maradona, Gary DeLeon
Parma: Luca Bucci, Benarrivo, Apolloni, Minotti, Alberto, Sesini, Dino Baggio, Pripa, Hristo Stoichkov, Gianfranco Zola, Filippo Inzhagi
Sources:
newspapers.com
Toronto Star Archives
CNSL Programs
www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com