Guelph United misses playoffs, finished seventh

GUELPH – As expected, the defending champion Guelph United finished as the odd man out among the six teams battling for the final five playoff berths in the League1 Ontario Men’s Premier soccer league.

United, who finished their regular season more than a week ago, didn’t receive the help they needed in the final week of league play to qualify for the playoffs.

The locals finished seventh at 13-5-3, a point behind ProStars FC (9-8-4) of Brampton who posted a 4-3 victory over Burlington SC Sunday night at Burlington. Top six qualify for the playoffs.

United had also hoped for some help from Hamilton United Saturday afternoon, but that United squad was edged 2-1 by the Simcoe County Rovers at Tim Hortons Field.

The Rovers and North Toronto Nitros finished tied for fourth with identical 13-3-5 records, two points ahead of Guelph United.

The Nitros lost 2-1 to Darby FC in Whitby Friday night, but had already clinched a playoff berth by then.

Vaughan Azzurri finished first in the 22-team league at 18-0-3 while Blue Devils FC of Oakville were second at 14-2-5 and Alliance United FC of Toronto was third at 13-2-6.

Guelph United finished 11 points ahead of Hamilton United (10-10-1) and Sigma FC (9-8-4) of Mississauga who were tied for eighth with 31 points apiece.

Since the completion of United’s regular season, goalkeeper Svyatik Artemenko has joined York United of the Canadian Premier League.

• Guelph Sports Journal