Prostars FC is a Canadian soccer team based in Brampton, Ontario. The organization was founded in 2013. The club plays in the semi-professional League1 Ontario, part of the third division in the Canadian soccer league system in both the men's and women's divisions. The team play their home games at Victoria Park Stadium in Brampton, Ontario. The team's colours are blue for home games and white for away games.[1][2]
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| Full name | Prostars FC | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | PFC | |||
| Founded | 2013 | |||
| Stadium | Victoria Park Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 2,000 | |||
| Coach | Sam Medeiros (men) Josef Komlodi (women) | |||
| League | League1 Ontario | |||
| 2023 | League, 18th; Playoffs, DNQ (men) League, 19th; Playoffs, DNQ (women) | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
History
editProStars FC was founded as Pro Stars Soccer Academy in 2013. The key philosophy for ProStars is to develop, teach and promote Academy and Professional soccer to all ages, in a safe and healthy environment. Integrated in this is the building of self-esteem, self-confidence, teamwork, respect for self and others, and the inherent benefits of physical exercise.[3][4][5]
Successes of the academy did not go unnoticed as a steady stream of players were invited to try-outs for professional soccer teams in Europe.[6]
They added teams in the men's and women's divisions of League1 Ontario in 2015.[7] They departed the women's division after only one season, but re-joined for the 2022 season.[8]
The three Mississauga-based League1 Ontario teams—ProStars FC, Sigma FC, and North Mississauga SC—compete annually for the Credit River Cup, awarded by the Sauga City Collective supporters group, with the team's matches against each other during the L1O deciding the victor.[9] However, in 2021, ProStars committed to having their home in Brampton, they were removed from the Credit River Cup.[10] They returned to the competition in 2022,[11] winning their first Credit River Cup that season.[12] They also qualified for the League1 Ontario playoffs for the first time in 2022.
In September 2023, the club partnered with Milton Youth Soccer Club (who were previously affiliated with Scrosoppi FC) to co-ordinate their women's team, including player registration, management, and gameday operations, also providing opportunities for male players from Milton to trial with the men's team.[13]
Squad
edit- As of 16 April 2023[14]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Seasons
editMen
| Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | League Cup | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | League1 Ontario | 12 | 4–3–15 | 10th | – | Quarter-finals | [15] |
| 2016 | 16 | 4–3–15 | 8th, Western (13th overall) | did not qualify | Round of 16 | [15] | |
| 2017 | 16 | 1–1–20 | 8th, Western (16th overall) | did not qualify | Round of 16 | [15] | |
| 2018 | 17 | 2–4–10 | 16th | did not qualify | Quarter-finals | [15] | |
| 2019 | 16 | 5–2–8 | 11th | did not qualify | – | [15] | |
| 2020 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[16] | ||||||
| 2021 | 15 | 4–2–6 | 6th, West (10th overall) | did not qualify | – | [15] | |
| 2022 | 22 | 14–1–6 | 6th | Quarter-finals | – | ||
| 2023 | 21 | 5–4–11 | 18th | did not qualify | – | ||
Women
| Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | League Cup | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | League1 Ontario | 7 | 2–3–13 | 7th | – | Group stage | [17] |
| 2016–2021 | on hiatus | ||||||
| 2022 | League1 Ontario | 20 | 1–3–15 | 19th | Did not qualify | – | |
| 2023 | 19 | 0–1–17 | 19th | Did not qualify | – | ||
Notable former players
editThe following players have either played at the professional or international level, either before or after playing for the League1 Ontario team:
Men
edit
Women
edit
Dana Bally
Kyra Dickinson
Vital Kats
Martina Lončar
Oshay Nelson-Lawes- Gabriella Salvadore
- Ashlee Savona
References
edit- ^ "League1". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on August 2, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ "Pro Stars FC - Northern Starting XI". Northern Starting XI. Archived from the original on November 1, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ "Meet the coaches at Pro Stars Soccer Academy". Mississauga News. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ Schaeffner, Mariecel (May 6, 2015). "League 1 Ontario Soccer Season has started". Brampton Guardian.
- ^ Hayakawa, Michael (January 30, 2015). "Semi-pro women's soccer team comes to Vaughan". Vaughan Citizen.
- ^ "News". Pro Stars Soccer Academy.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Colpitts, Iain (February 10, 2015). "Semi-pro soccer team launches in Mississauga". Mississauga News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ^ "Pro Stars FC joins L1O Women's division for 2022 season". League1 Ontario. February 7, 2022. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ Raza, Ali (August 14, 2019). "Credit River Cup announced for Mississauga-based soccer clubs". Mississauga News. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ @CreditRiverCup (August 12, 2021). "NEWS: We're excited to announce the 2021 Credit River Cup returns this Friday!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Bates, Matt (April 29, 2022). "A Bluffer's Guide to ProStars Football Club". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ @CreditRiverCup (July 13, 2022). "Credit River Cup Champions - Congratulations to ProStars FC on claiming their first Credit River Cup!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Milton Youth Soccer Club partner with ProStars to develop women's teams". League1 Ontario. September 21, 2023.
- ^ "ProStars FC". League 1 Ontario. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "League1 Ontario Historical Standings Men's Division". Canadian Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ "League1 Ontario cancels Fall season plans for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions". Canadian Premier League. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "2015 Women's Standings". League1 Ontario. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016.