Ottawa Intrepid
 | |
| Founded | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1990 |
| Stadium | Terry Fox Stadium |
| Capacity | approx. 2,000 |
| League | Canadian Soccer League |
Ottawa Intrepid (formerly the National Capital Pioneers) was the name of the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) entry from the National Capital Region from 1987-1990 in Ottawa, Ontario.[1][2]
History
The club was an original member of the original Canadian Soccer League in 1987.[3] In their inaugural season they were known as the National Capital Pioneers.[4]
With the CSL adopting the playing rules of FIFA in which games must be played on natural grass, the Pioneers were forced to play their home games in 1987 across the Ottawa river in Aylmer, Quebec.[citation needed] Lansdowne Park, a much larger CFL football stadium in the city of Ottawa, had artificial surface which forced the club to seek a playing surface in Aylmer, QC for the 1987 season. Aylmer offered the club 51% of the park plus concession rights for the ability to have a club in the national league play in the city.[5]
The Pioneers hosted the league's inaugural match on May 26, 1987 in Aylmer, Quebec against the Hamilton Steelers in a 0–0 draw, in a steady drizzle, in front 2,500 spectators.[citation needed] That season they finished with a 7-9-4 record, placing second in the CSL's Eastern Division with 23 points.[6] The Pioneers hosted the 3rd place Toronto Blizzard in the 1987 CSL Eastern Semi-Final and lost a 2-1 decision to the visitors at Aylmer Sports Park.[7]
The Pioneers were managed into bankruptcy in their inaugural season, but the club was re-structed and renamed as the Ottawa Intrepid.[4][8] They moved into Terry Fox Stadium in Ottawa for the 1988 season, which seated approximately 2000 spectators.[9] In 1988, the Intrepid finished the season with an 8-11-9 record, finishing 4th in the CSL Eastern Division, failing to qualify for the playoffs.[8]
For the 1989 season, the club brought in national team player Paul James as the club's player-coach signed US national team forward Ted Eck who led the league in scoring with 21 goals. The club finished with a 7-11-8 record, once again finishing fourth in the Eastern Division and missing the playoffs.[8][10]
In 1990, Drew Ferguson and Ted Morawaski became the team's coaches.[11] The club finished with a 2-15-9 record, finishing in sixth.[12] The club ceased operations following the season,[8] marking the end of professional soccer in the city until 2014 when Ottawa Fury FC was founded.[13]
Notable players
Seasons
as National Capital Pioneers
| Season | League | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canadian Soccer League | 7–9–4 | 2nd, East | Quarter-Finals | [14] |
as Ottawa Intrepid
| Season | League | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canadian Soccer League | 8–9–11 | 4th, East | Did not qualify | [14] |
| 1989 | 7–8–11 | 4th, East | Did not qualify | ||
| 1990 | 2–9–15 | 6th, East | Did not qualify |
References
- ^ "National Capital Pioneers Franchise History (1987)". Stats Crew.
- ^ "Ottawa Intrepid Franchise History (1988-1990)". Stats Crew.
- ^ Litterer, Dave. "The Year in American Soccer - 1987". Sover. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009.
- ^ a b "Intrepid Still Kicking". The Ottawa Citizen. July 13, 1989.
- ^ MacDonald, Archie (February 26, 1987). "Soccer rebirth". The Vancouver Sun. p. F3. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Holder, Gord (March 2, 2019). "Ottawa's Fury Road: Five years in, can pro soccer find its footing in the capital?". Ottawa Citizen.
- ^ "National Capital Pioneers". Canada Soccer History Archives.
- ^ a b c d "National Capital ioneers/Ottawa Intrepid (1987-90)". CSL Memories.
- ^ Crossley, Andrew (August 29, 2015). "1988-1989 Ottawa Intrepid". Fun While it Lasted.
- ^ "1989 Ottawa Intrepid Statistics". Stats Crew.
- ^ "Ottawa Intrepid Rosters". NASL Jerseys.
- ^ "1990 Ottawa Intrepid Statistics". Stats Crew.
- ^ "Fury FC Home Opener". Ottawa Citizen. April 21, 2014.
- ^ a b "Canadian Soccer League Standings Archive". Canada Soccer History Archives.