Oakville Blue Devils qualifies for Canadian Championship
Oakville Blue Devils have clinched their spot in the 2018 Canadian Championship after winning the 2017 League1 Ontario championship final. Oakville clinched the title on Friday 20 October after winning with 4-3 on kicks over Woodbridge in the final at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan.
Woodbridge and Oakville played to a 1:1 draw through 90 minutes before the match went to kicks from the penalty mark. Marco Nunes had given Woodbridge the 1-0 lead in the 11th minute before Brandon Duarte equalised for Oakville in the 66th minute.
Next year will be the first time that the League1 Ontario champions are entered into the Canadian Championship. In 2017, the Championship featured five clubs across three rounds, with Toronto FC winning the Voyageurs Cup and qualifying for CONCACAF Champions League. In 2018, the Championship will feature seven teams including the League1 Ontario and PLSQ winners.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to work themselves over the winter and come back at professional fitness level—otherwise this is pointless,” said head coach Duncan Wilde. “We’ve got a lot of work. We’ve got a lot of training all winter and get ready. The opportunity to play some of the pro teams is exciting.”
League1 Ontario made history last night. @OakBDevils advanced to the 2018 Canadian Championship. Relive the action https://t.co/GfWYOC4LRh pic.twitter.com/S81J0OrEtN
— League1 Ontario (@League1Ontario) October 21, 2017
In the final, Oakville’s starting XI featured Matt George (goal), Brendan Duarte, Anthony Novak, Al James, Hitesh Joshi, Taylor McNamara, Mathew Santos, Filipe Vilela, Judah Hernandez, Victor Gallo, and Connor McNamara. Braden Culver, Khody Ellis, and Stephen Ademolu featured as substitutes.
Throughout the 2017 season, Oakville has also featured Spencer Barber, Adrian Becic, Nolyn Do Nascimento, Anthony Doran, Colin Edwards, Brett Goold, Mason James, Blake Jones, Christian Kusiewicz, Steven Lovell, Stephen Malcolm, Glen McMahon, Christopher Mitchell, David Monk, Logan Podrebarac, Dane Roberts, Junior Roserie, Rahim Thorpe, Gurjot Uppal, Shamar Wright, Christian Young, and Roman Young.