Ross Ongaro is named as CSA Futsal head coach

From CSA website www.canadasoccer.com  

Ross Ongaro is Named Head Coach of National Futsal Team

Ottawa, Ontario (January 14, 2003) – The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) today announced the appointment of former national team player Ross Ongaro to the position of Head Coach of the newly created National Futsal Program, effective immediately.

An Edmonton native, Ongaro’s playing career includes caps with Canada’s Men’s Olympic and Youth Teams, and professional experience in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL), and the American Indoor Soccer League (AISL).

His coaching experience began as a Player Assistant Coach with the CPSL Edmonton Brick Men from 1985 to 1987. From 1996 to 2000, Ongaro served as the head coach of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) Edmonton Drillers where he earned Head Coach of the Year honours two years in a row.

“I am extremely excited to be the named as Head Coach of our National Futsal Program,” said Ongaro. “I look forward to once again work with some of Canada’s finest Soccer Players.”

Over the next few months, Ongaro plans to scout Canadian players in the MISL, A-League, and NCAA as well as across Canada before holding the first National Futsal training camp in December 2003.

In the short term, the goal of the National Futsal Team is to qualify for from the CONCACAF Qualifying Championships which will take place in July/August 2004 in advance of the FIFA World Futsal Championship set for November/December of 2004 (locations of both TBA).

The 2000 FIFA Futsal Championship was played in Guatemala with 16 qualified countries where CONCACAF was represented by Guatemala, Cuba, and Costa Rica. The Championship was ultimately won by Spain defeating Brazil.

Canada participated in the inaugural Futsal Championship staged in Netherlands in 1989. Canada finished third in Group C after defeating Japan but losing to both Argentina and Belgium.

Futsal is the only international form of indoor soccer approved by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The game is frequently referred to as Five-A-Side and is gaining rapid popularity.

For more information check: www.canadasoccer.com

03/04/2002
USA – Canada 1-2

Two friendly matches First International Futsal game for women in american soil

20/3/2002
Baltimore (USA)

USA – Canada 1-2

23/3/2002
Washington DC (USA)
USA – Canada 8-3

MEXICO TO MEET CANADA IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
After their match-up against the USA on Mar. 21, Mexico’s Futsal National Team will meet Canada in an international friendly two days later (Mar. 23) at American University in Washington, D.C. at 8 p.m. ET. Mexico’s last international match came at the Copa Guatemala de Futsal as they dropped a 5-3 decision in the finals to the host Guatemala on Oct. 28, 2001, while Canada is coming off a 5-2 victory over El Salvador in an international friendly played in Montréal on Dec. 1, of last year.

3 Nations Cup Matches Programe:

20/03/2002
Baltimore, Maryland (USA)
USA vs. Canada 10-0

21/03/2002
Washington, D.C. (USA)
USA vs. Mexico 1-1

23/03/2002
Washington, D.C. (USA)
Canada vs. Mexico 1-7

Final Standing
Teams (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
USA (2, 1-0-1, 11:1, 4)
Mexico (2, 1-0-1, 8:2, 4)
Canada (2, 0-2-0, 1:17, 0)

3 Nations Cup Winner:
USA

02/03/2002
St-Jérôme/Québec
CEGEP Gymnasium
Exhibition friendly game

Team Canada vs USA(Vermont Voltage) 8-1

Canada:
Starting five:
#12-Valdis Tomsons(goalkeeper)
#5-Roberto Sorella
#7-Gabriel Gervais(2 goals)(captain)
#9-Kyt Selaidopoulos(2 goals)
#10-Jocelyn Roy(2 goals)

#2-Alvaro Silvan
#4-Russell Shaw
#6-Sam Karaga(1 goal)
#8-Bruno Nué
#13-Allan Popazzi(1 goal)

Coaches:
Sammy Atsaidis and
Jorge Montalvo

—

USA/Vermont Voltage:
Starting five:
#1-Greg Di Gregorio(goalkeeper)
#5-Robert Beall
#8-Jason Allen
#11-Darko Kolic
#24-Bo Vuckovic(1 goal)(captain)

#7-Roldege Arius
#9-Dan Balaguero
#10-Jamie Farrol
#13-Ben Hardy
#14-Mat Cosgriff

Coaches:Jamie Hutchins and
Bo Vuckovic

—

Referees:
#1-Carlos De Sousa(CAN)
#2-Jean-Louis Goyette(CAN)
#3-Patrick Bélisle(CAN)
#4-Daniel Brière(CAN)