Gus Kouzmanis

Gus Kouzmanis (born 1975) is a former Canadian soccer player who played in the National Professional Soccer League, and the Canadian Professional Soccer League.

Playing career

Kouzamanis began his career in the Canadian National Soccer League in 1996 with the Toronto Supra. In his debut season with the Supra he helped the club finish third in both regular and cup standings.^[1] In the playoffs the Supra faced St. Catharines Wolves in the semi-finals, but were eliminated by a score 2-1 on goals on aggregate. At the conclusion of the season he was awarded the CNSL Rookie of the Year award.^[2] During the winter of 1995, he played with the Wichita Wings of the National Professional Soccer League. He returned to Toronto in 1997, but an injury kept him out the entire outdoor season. During the winter season he signed with the Toronto Shooting Stars, where he appeared in 30 matches and scored 15 goals.

In 1998, he signed with Toronto Olympians of the newly formed Canadian Professional Soccer League.^[3] Kouzmanis had a tremendous debut season with the organization he assisted in the club's undefeated season run, and was rewarded with the CSL Golden Boot as finishing as the league's top goalscorer.^[4] In the Open Canada Cup final match he scored twice to secure the trophy for Toronto in a 3-0 victory over St. Catharines Wolves.^[5] As the Olympians reached the CPSL Championship finals there opponents were once more St. Catharines, but this time history would not repeat itself as the Wolves would go on to win the championship 4-2 on penalties.^[6] The following season, he repeated Toronto's undefeated season and achieved a treble - the first CPSL club to record this milestone.^[7] He finished third as top goal scorer in the league. In 2000, the Olympians finished once more as regular season, and Open Canada Cup champions, but where defeated by Toronto Croatia in the CPSL Championship final.^[8] For the second time in his career he was awarded the CPSL Golden Boot, and thus made history by becoming the only player to have won the award on more than one occasion.^[9]

In 2001, Kouzmanis requested his release from Toronto after not being guaranteed a starting position.^[10] For the remainder of the season he signed with the Glen Shields Sun Devils and played with the franchise for two seasons. In the 2002 season he played with his brother Tom Kouzmanis, but unfortunately the club failed to reach the postseason.

Achievements

Toronto Olympians

• Rogers Cup (1): 1999
• Open Canada Cup (3): 1998, 1999, 2000
• Canadian Professional Soccer League Regular Season Champions (3): 1998, 1999, 2000

References

1. ↑ "CNSL Week 20 FINAL". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-29. 
2. ↑ "November 8, 1996". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-29. 
3. ↑ Glover, Robin. "Mississauga vs Toronto Olympians". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-30. 
4. ↑ Bailey, Dave. "Canada Kicks -- News Story: CPSL Awards Night". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-30. 
5. ↑ Glover, Robin. "Toronto Olympians vs St Catharines Roma Wolves". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-30. 
6. ↑ Glover, Robin. "CPSL October 14, 1998 Toronto Olympians vs St Catharines Roma Wolves". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-30. 
7. ↑ Glover, Robin. "Toronto Olympians vs Toronto Croatia". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-30. 
8. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 1, 2000 Toronto Olympians vs Toronto Croatia". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-30. 
9. ↑ "CPSL (Ontario Division) - Top Goal Scorers 2000". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-11-29. 
10. ↑ Glover, Robin. "CPSL Wednesday July 11, 2001 Toronto Olympians vs North York Astros (part 2)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-11-29.