Toronto Blizzard (1986–93)

This article is about the second Toronto Blizzard that played from 1986–1993. For the original team of the NASL, see Toronto Blizzard.

The Toronto Blizzard emerged from the folding of the North American Soccer League. It played in the Canadian soccer league from 1986-1992 before the CSL folded in 1992. The Blizzard attempted to play in the American Soccer League, but folded the very next season in 1993 after poor financial perspectives and lack of attendance.

National Soccer League

In 1985, less than one year after the Toronto Blizzard ceased operations due to the failure of the North American Soccer League (the club had never actually folded), Blizzard owners York-Hanover purchased Dynamo Latino of the semi-professional Ontario-based National Soccer League (established 1926) with the intention of renaming them the Toronto Blizzard. While NSL regulations did not permit the name change in the midst of the season, the name Toronto Blizzard was part of the NSL in 1986.

Under former assistant coach Dave Turner, the club won the "League Championship" and the "NSL Cup" while Toronto Italia won the "Play-Off Championship". The Blizzard roster featured former NASL stars Paul Hammond, Randy Ragan, and Paul James.

The Blizzard played only one season in the NSL in preparation to join the fledgling Canadian Soccer League in 1987.

Canadian Soccer League

Toronto Blizzard
Founded	1987
Dissolved	1993
League	Canadian Soccer League

The Toronto Blizzard joined the Canadian Soccer League in its inaugural season of 1987.

In 1990, despite finishing the regular season on top of the CSL's Eastern Division standings, the Blizzard were eliminated in the first round of the play-offs. In 1991, the Blizzard lost in the Championship Final to the Vancouver 86ers despite two world class long range goals by Canadian International Branko Segota. It was the 86'ers fourth straight league championship.

Prominent players for the CSL Blizzard included Scott Landry, Carl Fletcher, Iain Fraser, Pat Onstad, Pat Harrington, Edhino, Petr Rada, John Fitzgerald, Stevie Gill, Trevor McCallum, Tony Pignatiello, David "Budgie" Byrne, Luis Lufi, Marco Abascal and Paul Peschisolido who would be sold to Birmingham City of the English First Division at the conclusion of the 1992 season.

The CSL folded after the 1992 campaign when the Toronto Blizzard and Vancouver 86'ers left the league to join the American Professional Soccer League (then down to only four franchises).

American Professional Soccer League

The CSL Toronto Blizzard joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1993 playing out of their old North American Soccer League home, the University of Toronto's Varsity Stadium. Due to financial difficulties and abysmal attendance, the team was forced to move to the city of Toronto owned Lamport Stadium roughly three quarters of the way through the season.

The 1993 Blizzard finished fifth in the regular standings (10 wins and 14 losses), failing to make the play-offs. The team featured Fernando Aguiar, Julio Vieira, Lyndon Hooper, Eddy Berdusco, Paolo Ceccarelli, Stevie Gill, Ian Carter, Carl Fletcher, Juan Carlos Ramirez-Gaston, Amadeo Gasparini, Kevin Holness, Frank Lofranco, Frank Cardona, Hector Marinaro, Sean Samuels, Nigel Sparks and was coached by Pedro Kozak.

Blizzard owner Karsten Von Wersebe had taken the club from the CSL to the APSL in hopes that the league would be awarded USA Division One status as FIFA had demanded that a national Division One quality soccer league exist in the USA as a condition of being awarded the 1994 FIFA World Cup. When the U.S. Soccer Federation instead decided to create a new league, Major League Soccer, it was a heavy blow to Von Wersebe and the struggling Blizzard. The club folded immediately at the conclusion of the 1993 season.

Resurrecting the Blizzard

When plans for a Canadian United Soccer League made the news in 2001, the Toronto Blizzard (with a new group of owners) were rumoured to be in the running for a franchise. When the CUSL concept faded away, so did any thoughts of a Blizzard resurrection. When Toronto was awarded a Major League Soccer franchise in 2005, some thought that the team might be named the Blizzard. However, the team ended up choosing to be called Toronto FC.

Founded 1970 Based in Toronto, Ontario

Club History	Toronto Metros (1970–1975) Toronto Metros-Croatia (1975–1979) Toronto Metros-Croatia (1975–1976) (indoor) Toronto Blizzard (1979–1985) Toronto Blizzard (1980–1982) (indoor) Toronto Blizzard (1985–1986) Toronto Blizzard (1987–1992) Toronto Blizzard (1992–1993)

Sports Facilities	Varsity Stadium Lamport Stadium

Important Figures	Eusébio Ivair Ferriera Ivan Lukačević Jomo Sono Clyde Best Roberto Bettega John Paskin Clive Toye

Other topics	Related articles

Honors

NASL Championship (3)	1976 (Champions) 1983 (Finalist) 1984 (Finalist)

NASL Division titles (2)	1973 (Northern Division) 1977 (Northern Division)

NSL Championship (1)	1986 (Champions)

Seasons

North American Soccer League (1966–85)	1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984

North American Soccer League Indoor (1975–84)	1975 1976 1980–81 1981–82

National Soccer League (1926–present)	1986

Canadian Soccer League (1987–92)	1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

American Professional Soccer League (1990–96)	1993

Canadian National Soccer League

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Miscellaneous	Rogers Cup Open Canada Cup CSA CSL Reserve Division

Seasons	1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Toronto Blizzard (1986–93)

National Soccer League

Canadian Soccer League

American Professional Soccer League

Resurrecting the Blizzard

See also