The playoffs have now been cut from eight teams to the final four, it was an eventful Quarterfinal round and two teams are one step closer to reaching the 2011 CSL Championship Final and lifting the Givova Cup (formerly known as the Rogers Cup). Unlike the Quarterfinal round that is a two-legged affair the semis are a one-match playoff at the venue of the higher seed, the winners will then play the final on a neutral site.
Here are the Semifinal matches:
#3 Capital City FC Vs. #5 Serbian White Eagles
The new boys from Ottawa have made a massive impression on the league, not only by how they finished the season but in their Quarterfinal tie against Montréal Impact Academy which they won 3-2 on aggregate; 1-1 in the first leg and 2-1 in the second leg. The standout player for them in the second leg was midfielder Mahir Hadziresic with a goal and an assist, however over the course of the tie this was mainly down to coach Shaun Harris and his tactical adjustments.
Their opponents are Serbian White Eagles, used their experience and grinding style to dispatch of Brampton City United 8-0 on aggregate, 2-0 in the first leg and 6-0 in the second leg. The standout players over the course of the tie were forward Alex Braletic and midfielder Milos Scepanovic. Both players scored the goals in the first leg and both added a goal each in the return leg, that being said beyond their finishing ability they had great movement and were constant threats both in the wide areas and centrally on crosses into the box.
The style of each team is drastically different, Capital City likes to pass the ball, make runs and use their speed to create space while Serbian White Eagles impose themselves with a physical yet calculated approach, they prefer the tempo at a slow pace so they can leave their mark both literally and mentally.
Key Players for Capital City FC: FWD Will Beauge, MID/FWD Junior Ellis,
and DEF Joel Bagby
Key Players for Serbian White Eagles: FWD Alex Braletic,
MID Milos Scepanovic
The one deciding factor will be how well Capital City FC cope with the physical play and how effective they can be in possession. Serbian White Eagles won’t get nervous if goals are scored but become impatient and at times reckless when opposition have long spells of possession. I’ll take Capital City FC for a few reasons, they will be the home side which means Serbian White Eagles will have to make the four/five hour trip and they are the more technically proficient side between the two.
Prediction: Capital City FC
#2 Toronto Croatia Vs. #8 York Region Shooters
The “upset of the round” was made by York Region Shooters in what turned out to be an epic tie, the first leg ending 1-0 to York Region while the second leg ended 4-3 to SC Toronto and resulted in extra time and eventually penalties with York Region Shooters winning 4-2.
To beat the top seed is a great accomplishment but their prize comes in the form of an experienced Toronto Croatia squad, who themselves defeated Mississauga Eagles FC 8-1 on aggregate winning 4-0 in the first leg and 4-1 in the second leg. The standout players for them were forward Tihomir Maletic and midfielder Hayden Fitzwilliams, Maetic scored 17 regular season goals and continued his good form into the first leg scoring two goals while Fitzwilliams scored two goals in the second leg.
It would be quite a playoff run for York Region Shooters if they can knock off the top two seeds and make it to the final, in order to do so they will need all hands on deck especially without forward Kadian Lecky who is not eligible for this match due to suspension. Lecky was is the biggest threat for York Region and was the teams leading scorer in the regular season with 15 goals, much of the load will now be on Desmond Humphrey to give the team similar production.
Key Players for Toronto Croatia: FWD Tihomir Maletic,
MID Hayden Fitzwilliams, MID Halburto Harris
Key Players for York Region Shooters: FWD Desmond Humphrey,
GK Camilo Benzi, MID Dino Gardener
Toronto Croatia has experience on their side and is looking to add their fourth CSL Championship to the trophy cabinet, however York Region Shooters will be confident having knocked off top seed SC Toronto. That being said they have never won the CSL Championship in their 13-year history. As Vaughn Shooters they made it to the final on three consecutive occasions from 2003-2005, losing at every opportunity. In 2004 these two teams meet in the final with Toronto Croatia winning by a 4-0 score line, their most recent playoff meeting was last seasons Quarterfinal stage, where the Croatians were victorious 3-1 on aggregate. I think the trend continues and I’m going with Toronto Croatia in this one.
Prediction: Toronto Croatia
In these four teams we have the chance to see either a new champion crowned in their inaugural season (Capital City FC), a team break a curse and win their first title in a 13 year history after failing at the final hurdle at three consecutive attempts (York Region Shooters), another team looking to add a forth league title to the trophy case (Toronto Croatia) and another team looking to add a second trophy to the collection (Serbian White Eagles). The potential of a rivalry match in the final between Toronto Croatia and Serbian White Eagles is also exciting, those two teams dislike each other on the best of days so with a trophy on the line there are bound to be fireworks.
I will have a detailed article on the final to come, breaking down both teams and giving my prediction on the 2011 CSL Champion.
Kamal Hylton is Owner/Freelance Soccer Writer at Hylton Sports Media,
he specializes in covering Youth Development in Canada and the
CONCACAF Region as well as European leagues such as Bundesliga, Serie A and UEFA Champions League. Follow him on Twitter to view all
his work.
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