ONLINE EXHIBIT: The world’s game in Ontario: Soccer, community and belonging

The professional game in Ontario

Soccer in Ontario entered a new stage in the 1960s with the dawn of professional teams. This meant players were now being paid and fans had to pay for tickets. Large crowds came to watch, and interest in soccer was at a new high. Professional soccer saw a rise in competition and the game became increasingly popular.

A legend in town

The NASL brought world-class superstars to Ontario. Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento), considered by some to be the best soccer player of all time, played in Toronto on several occasions in the 1970s. People from all over Ontario had come to see him play — as a member of Santos FC and later, the New York Cosmos — long before the days of famous players like Lionel Messi, Luiz Suarez and Thomas Müller.

Other stars who once dominated the sport came to play in the NASL. Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, Italy’s Giorgio Chinaglia, and Northern Ireland’s George Best all played in the NASL and against the Blizzard. The global recognition of names like these gave soccer a heightened status in Ontario. Players like Pelé playing against Toronto elevated the Toronto Blizzard onto the international soccer stage.

Black-and-white photo of a Black soccer player running out of a tunnel beneath the stands in a stadium, waving his hand in the air. The crowd of people in the stands behind cheer him on.

Black-and-white photo of two hands holding a score sheet from the 1975 game of the New York Cosmos vs. Toronto Metros.

Eusébio has arrived

The arrival of Eusébio da Silva Ferreira in Toronto in 1976 was a huge moment for the Toronto soccer community. Eusébio is considered one of the best forwards in the history of the sport; he brought international attention and excitement to Toronto and the NASL. Eusébio helped Toronto Metros-Croatia win their first and only Soccer Bowl, beating the Minnesota Kicks 3-0. He scored the game-winning goal. The city didn’t see another soccer championship until Toronto FC’s victory in 2017. With Eusébio’s arrival, Toronto was no longer just hosting — they were now attracting big-name talent.

Black-and-white photo of a Black man lifting a large trophy over his head in a room full of people. His teammates and coaches stand by his side and smile at the camera.

Black-and-white photo of a Black soccer player delivering an acrobatic kick, directing the ball towards the goal. The goalie dives to make an attempted save.

The 401 derby begins

The 401 Derby is currently a rivalry between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact. The reason behind the derby’s name is simple — Highway 401 connects the two cities. There was healthy competition between the two cities, carrying over from other sports like hockey. The early days of professional soccer built the foundation for this rivalry, which continues today.

Black-and-white photo of two soccer players vying to get a better position on an incoming ball. There are spectators seated and standing in bleachers in the background.

A controversial final

In 1984, the Toronto Blizzard faced the Chicago Sting in its third NASL final. Late in the game, Chicago was awarded a penalty kick from a contested call. Fans erupted in protest. At the end of the game they rushed the field, creating such a chaotic scene that the Sting had to celebrate their win in their dressing room. The match is remembered as a dark day for the sport. For Toronto fans it also marked the end of local professional soccer for years to come.

Black-and-white photo of a men’s soccer team kicking a ball toward the goal of their opponents, as the defending team tries to clear the ball away from the front of the net. Spectators form a blur in the stands in the background.

Black-and-white photo of an illuminated stadium scoreboard. The score reads 3-2 in favour of the Sting soccer team.

Black-and-white photo of unruly fans in a soccer stadium following the loss of the Blizzard soccer team. Fans raise their hands up in the air in anger as they rush toward the field.

The end of an era

The NASL folded after the 1984 season, with official operations ceasing the following year. The league collapsed from several factors, including unsustainable finances, loss of key media backing, over-expansion and poor management. The Blizzard’s general manager, Clive Toye, announced the team was folding in April 1985, just months after the infamous Soccer Bowl match. The end of the league and its local franchise opened a gap in Ontario’s soccer community that was filled by semi-professional teams.

Black-and-white photo of the general manager of the Blizzard standing at a podium, delivering an announcement to the public and assembled reporters.

Soccer survives locally

The National Soccer League (NSL) was a prominent semi-professional soccer league in Canada, dating back to the 1920s. Local clubs included the Hamilton Steelers, London Marconi, St. Catherines Roma, and the Windsor Wheels. The Toronto Blizzard joined the league in the 1986 season, when the professional team’s former owners purchased and rebranded an NSL franchise with the Toronto Blizzard team name. The NSL kept the local game alive for decades until it folded in 1997. The Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL), formed in 1998 to replace the NSL.

Black-and-white photo of a goalie fully stretched out, attempting to make a save, seen from behind the net of the goal. A large crowd of people in the stands, along with other players on the field, watch the goalie to see if he makes the save.

Two black-and-white photos of two soccer teams with uniformed players arranged in two rows and soccer balls on display. The top picture is identified with the caption “Croatia Toronto,” and the bottom picture with the caption “Concordia Kitchener.”

Back to: Chapter 01

The first kick: Soccer’s early days in Ontario

Next up: Chapter 03

The world comes to play

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