JUMPING AROUND: Vaughan Italia Shooters' Jason De Thomasis heads the ball away while jumping between two Toronto Croatia players during preseason Canadian Soccer League action. Photo courtesy Vaughan Italia Shooters
Vaughan Italia Shooters are ready for kickoff.
The Shooters begin their 2008 Canadian Soccer League regular season this Monday against 2007 CSL finalist Serbian White Eagles. Game time is 4 p.m. at Vaughan’s new turf field at St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Maple.
If a near-flawless 3-0-2 preseason record is any indication, the Shooters look to be a force this summer. Vaughan beat Brampton Lions 3-1, Portugal FC 5-0 and North York Astros 3-0, while drawing 1-1 with the White Eagles and 0-0 with the 2007 CSL champion Toronto Croatia.
The White Eagles, Portugal FC and Toronto Croatia join Vaughan in the International division. The remaining seven teams, including Toronto FC’s senior academy squad, make up the National division.
A new home field is not the only change for the Shooters. Carmen Isacco is the squad’s new head coach.
Isacco was an assistant coach for Toronto FC last summer and was named Ontario University Athletics Coach of the Year for the West division, leading York University to an 11-1-2 regular season record this past fall.
Anthony Capotosto, head coach at the University of Toronto, will be Isacco’s assistant.
The Shooters hope to improve upon last year’s quarter-final exit at the hands of Trois-Rivieres Attak.
Here is the Shooters 2008 schedule. All home games start at 4 p.m. except for July 18, which starts at 8 p.m
