With the 2019 outdoor season concluded, both FC LONDON and London TFC Academy are celebrating. As leagues wrapped up for the season, the club was counting the hardware … and the tally was impressive, with teams taking home gold and silver medals at the elite League1 Ontario level.
The FC LONDON women’s team ended a solid regular season with an incredible playoff run culminating in a 1-0 defeat over the Oakville Blue Devils in the playoff final – with the winning goal scored by none other than Jade Kovacevic. The shutout belonged to Emily Gillet. No less impressive was the involvement of the multiple Academy players who made their way into the League 1 roster, as well as the various players who were selected for 1st and 2nd team All-Star teams. Julia Benati, Marissa Oliviera, Daniela Strano and Kovacevic were all named to those teams, while Kovacevic, for the 4th year in a row, also earned the Golden Boot award.
The men’s performance was no less impressive, as the team squeaked into the playoffs and then mounted an impressive run to the finish line with style. A heartbreaking loss for Mike Marcoccia’s squad in the final vs Master’s Futbol was the end result, as the team came away with the silver medal. In similar fashion, FC LONDON’s men’s players earned various honours, as Connor Wilson, Mohammed Reza Nafar and Ethan Gopaul were each named All-Star team selections. The men’s League 1 Reserve team, meanwhile, also tied for top spot in their league, losing only by goal-differential.
The club’s Academy program (London TFC Academy) participated in the highest leagues in the province and enjoyed success at all ages – in both the OASL and OPDL leagues. Hats off to the U17 boys team that came home with a silver medal in the OASL Cup Final (coached by Paulo Sousa).
Looking ahead to 2020, FC LONDON is continuing to expand, with National level coach Jon Hasson taking the helm as the Youth Technical Director. Meanwhile, 2020 will represent the start of a new era in London soccer, with the building of Tricar Field. This full-sized field, which will be equipped with lights, is scheduled for operations in the spring of 2020, and it will serve as the training facility for the club. The field is the concept of the Carapella family, who are making a significant impact in London sports and recreational athletics with their constant community support.
For more information about London TFC Academy, visit www.FCLONDON.ca.
Submitted by FC LONDON
