Ottawa Intrepid
 | |
| Founded | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1990 |
| Stadium | Terry Fox Stadium |
| Capacity | approx. 2,000 |
| Owner | Ottawa Professional Soccer Society |
| 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]
The Pioneers played their home games in 1987 across the Ottawa river in Aylmer, Quebec.[5] With the CSL adopting the playing rules of FIFA in which games must be played on natural grass, the Pioneers were forced to play in Alymer since 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.[citation needed] 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.[6]
The Pioneers hosted the league's inaugural match on June 7, 1987 in Aylmer, Quebec against the Hamilton Steelers in a 1–1 draw, in a steady drizzle, in front 2,500 spectators.[7][8][9] That season they finished with a 7-9-4 record, placing second in the CSL's Eastern Division with 23 points.[10] 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.[11]
The Pioneers were managed into bankruptcy in their inaugural season, but the club was re-structured and renamed as the Ottawa Intrepid.[4][12] They moved into Terry Fox Stadium in Ottawa for the 1988 season, which seated approximately 2000 spectators.[5][13] 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.[12]
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.[12][14]
In 1990, Drew Ferguson and Ted Morawaski became the team's coaches.[15] The club finished with a 2-15-9 record, finishing in sixth.[16] The club ceased operations following the season,[12] marking the end of professional soccer in the city until 2014 when Ottawa Fury FC was founded.[17]
Notable players
Seasons
as National Capital Pioneers
| Season | League | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canadian Soccer League | 7–9–4 | 2nd, East | Quarter-Finals | [18] |
as Ottawa Intrepid
| Season | League | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canadian Soccer League | 8–9–11 | 4th, East | Did not qualify | [18] |
| 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.
- ^ a b Deachman, Bruce (July 14, 2014). "Football and soccer 101: For all you non sports fans". Ottawa Citizen.
- ^ MacDonald, Archie (February 26, 1987). "Soccer rebirth". The Vancouver Sun. p. F3. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Gomez, Boris (May 28, 1987). "Ravens become Ottawa pioneers". The Charlatan. p. 10.
- ^ Lovegrove, Don. "CSL '87 Preview - Toronto-Hamilton Rivalry Renewed on Soccer Pitch". CSL Memories. Hamilton Spectator.
- ^ "Histoire du Championnat et de la Coupe du Canada" [History of the Championship and the Canada Cup]. Impact Soccer (in French).
- ^ 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 Pioneers/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.
