Virtually Canadian
New Member
Ottawa, Ontario - 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.
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.
