Trois-Rivières Attak

Trois-Rivières Attak was a Canadian soccer team that played three seasons in the Canadian Soccer League. They formally served as a reserve and academy team for the USL First Division side Montreal Impact. The club was an instant success within the league, winning titles in all three seasons when it competed in the CSL. In 2010, when the Montreal Impact founded their own academy the team ceased operating as a farm team, because of the ended cooperation with the Impact; they announced that they would take a one-year absence from the Canadian Soccer League in 2010 and return for the 2011 season.[2][3] The team did not return for the 2011 season.[4]

Attak de Trois-Rivières
Founded2006
Dissolved2010
StadiumStade de l'UQTR
Capacity1500[1]
ChairmanTony Ianitto
Head coachPhilippe Eullaffroy
LeagueCanadian Soccer League
2009Champions

History

On November 15, 2006, the Montreal Impact, along with Laval Dynamites owner Tony Ianitto announced the creation of a feeder team in Trois-Rivières, and that the name would be chosen from the result of a contest. The club's home matches were played at the Stade de l'UQTR located at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres campus.[5]

The name Trois-Rivières Attak FC and the logo were presented to the public on January 17, 2007, together with the first signings of CSL veterans Nicolas Lesage and Jean-Louis Bessé.[6] In the same press conference the new expansion club unveiled their first head coach Marc Dos Santos, who coached previously in the Ligue de Soccer Elite Quebec.[7] For their inaugural season Trois-Riveres received sponsorship from Carlsburg and Puma.[8] While Le Nouvelliste, and Énergie provided media coverage for the team.[9] Dos Santos mobilized a roster with players of CSL and USL experience acquiring the likes of Darko Kolić, Andrew Olivieri, Paul Moran, Sita-Taty Matondo, and Rachid Madkour. The Attak kicked off their season with a 0–0 draw against the Toronto Croatia on May 13, 2007.[10] A week after Elkana Mayard scored the club's first goal in history in a 2–1 defeat to the Serbian White Eagles at Centennial Park Stadium.[11]

The club were a surprise in their inaugural season by being competitive in the CSL right from the beginning. In their first season they contributed significantly to the overall increase in attendance of league matches with Trois-Rivieres and Serbian White Eagles leading.[12] The Attak performed outstandingly in the 2007 Open Canada Cup tournament claiming their first trophy in the club's history – defeating Columbus Clan F.C. in a 3–0 victory.[13] The team concluded the season by finishing second in the National Division enabling them to secure a playoff berth. In the postseason the Attak faced the defending 2006 champions the Italia Shooters in the quarterfinals and advanced to the next round by defeating Italia by a score of 3–0.[14] Their playoff run came to an end in the semi-finals losing to a score of 2–1 to the Serbian White Eagles.[15] At the CSL Awards Banquet, Attak forward Nicolas Lesage was awarded the Canadian Soccer League MVP Award, and the CSL Golden Boot becoming the first person in CSL history to win two individual awards in a season.[16]

Canadian International Karl Ouimette began his career with Trois-Rivières Attak.

In 2008, Dos Santos resumed his coaching duties and maintained the majority of his 2007 team roster, but signed young prospects like Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, Cristian Nuñez, and had at his disposal Montreal Impact reserve players.[17] The Attak had a remarkable start to the season by recording a 13-game undefeated streak.[18] The Attaks persistent performance led to their second piece of silverware the National Division title and finished with the best defense record allowing the fewest goals.[19] The club had an outstanding postseason defeating St. Catharines Wolves in the quarterfinals and thrashing Portugal FC 7–0 in the semi-finals. In the finals they met the Serbian White Eagles, the club which ousted the Attak in the previous playoffs. The match was a 2–2 draw which led to a penalty shootout which resulted in a 2–1 victory in penalties for the White Eagles.[20][21][22] At the conclusion of the season the Attak were awarded the Fair Play and Respect Award and Andrew Olivieri was awarded the CSL Goalkeeper of the Year.[23][24][25]

On March 12, 2009, Marc Dos Santos was appointed the assistant coach for the Montreal Impact and was replaced by Philippe Eullaffroy.[26] Eullaffroy made major changes to the Attak roster replacing the majority of veterans with younger players – only four senior players from the previous season were given contracts.[27] The Attak had another tremendous season defending their National Division title and for the second year in a row allowed the fewest goals throughout the season.[28][29] In the postseason history would repeat itself again as the Attak would face once more the Serbian White Eagles in the finals. The Attak would end up winning their first CSL Championship by defeating the International Division and defending CSL champions the Serbian White Eagles by a score of 3–2 on penalty kicks.[30][31] Head Coach Philippe Eullaffroy was awarded the CSL Coach of the Year, and Reda Agourram was awarded the CSL Rookie of the Year and the CSL Golden Boot.[32]

On March 23, 2010, the Trois-Rivières Attak announced a one-year sabbatical from competition, due to the end of cooperation between the Montreal Impact which acquired a new franchise in the CSL by the name of the Montreal Impact Academy.[33] Team owner Tony Iannitto waived his territorial and players' rights and relinquished the players' rights to the Montreal Impact.[34]

Home stadium

The Attak played their home games at the Stade de l'UQTR on the campus of the Université du Québec and sometimes indoor at Centre Sportif Alphonse-Desjardins in Trois-Rivières.

Honours
Winners (1): 2009
Runners-up (1): 2008
2007
Winners (2): 2008, 2009

Year-by-year
Year League Regular season Overall Playoffs Open Canada Cup
2007[35] CSL 2nd, National 5th Semi-Finals Champions
2008[36] CSL 1st, National 1st 2nd no competition held
2009[37] CSL 1st, National 1st Champions no competition held

Former coaches
YearsNameNation
2007–2008Marc Dos Santos Canada
2009Philippe Eullaffroy France

All-time leaders

Most appearances
Mo. Name Career Appearances
1 Canada Olivier Brett 2007–2008 65
2 Tunisia Essafi Amir 2007–2008 32
3 Ivory Coast Jean-Louis Bessé 2007–2009 30

Most goals scored
No. Name Career Goals
1 Canada Nicolas Lesage 2007–2009 24
2 Serbia Darko Kolić 2007 13
3 Canada Pierre-Rudolph Mayard 2007–2008 8

Notable players

References
  1. "Les Principales installations sportives de Trois-Rivières" (PDF) (in French). Office du tourisme et des congrès de Trois-Rivières. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 31, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2008.
  2. "L'ATTAK PREND UNE ANNÉE SABBATIQUE". attak.com (in French). Trois-Rivières Attak. March 23, 2010. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  3. http://www.canadiansoccerleague.ca/news_archive.php?news_id=258671%5B%5D
  4. "Attak Trois-Rivières - L'ATTAK FC NE SERA PAS DE RETOUR À TROIS-RIVIÈRES". 2011-01-20. Archived from the original on 2011-01-20. Retrieved 2016-09-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. Adamson, Stan (November 15, 2006). "MONTREAL IMPACT FARM TEAM IN CSL". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release.
  6. "The Trois-Rivières Attak FC is born". impactmontreal.com. Impact media. January 17, 2007.
  7. Adamson, Stan (January 17, 2007). "January 17, 2007 CSL announces Quebec based team (from CSL news release)". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release.
  8. Ng Yuen, Tanya (May 10, 2007). "ATTAK ANNOUNCE MAJOR SPONSORSHIPS". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  9. "Attak FC". 2008-11-18. Archived from the original on 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2017-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. Adamson, Stan (May 13, 2007). "OPENERS AT TROIS-RIVIERES AND BIRCHMOUNT". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release.
  11. Glover, Robin (May 18, 2007). "Result of the Friday May 18, 2007 CSL game between Serbian White Eagles and Trois Rivieres Attak played at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke at 8:00pm". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  12. "July 16, 2007 CSL news—League Attendance Increases (from CSL media release)". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. July 16, 2007.
  13. Glover, Robin (September 3, 2007). "Result of the Monday September 3, 2007 CSL Open Canada Cup Final between Columbus Clan and Trois-Rivieres Attak played at Cove Road in London at 4:00pm". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  14. "DEFENDING CHAMPIONS ITALIA ELIMINATED". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. October 13, 2007.
  15. Glover, Robin (October 21, 2007). "Result of the Sunday October 21, 2007 CSL game between Serbian White Eagles and Trois-Rivieres Attak played at Esther Shiner Stadium in North York at 5:00pm. This was the second semi-final of the CSL Championship playoffs". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  16. Glover, Robin (November 2, 2007). "Winners at the CSL Awards Banquet held Sunday November 4th, 2007 at La Contessa Banquet Hall in North York at 2:00pm". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  17. "February 6, 2008 CSL Trois-Rivieres Attak news (from CSL media release)". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. February 6, 2008.
  18. "TFC ACADEMY BLANK LONDON 4–0 SUNDAY...DIVISION LEADERS TROIS-RIVIERES AND ITALIA SCORE SATURDAY VICTORIES.....Astros, Serbia and St. Catharines win Friday". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. August 11, 2008.
  19. "October 5th, 2008 CSL League Standings Week 21 Final". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. October 5, 2008.
  20. Glover, Robin (October 26, 2008). "Result of the Sunday October 26, 2008 CSL game between Trois-Rivieres Attak and Serbian White Eagles played at Esther Shiner Stadium in North York at 5:45pm. This was a one game Final". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  21. Lavoie, Alexandre. "Une défaite crève-coeur de l'Attak | Alexandre Lavoie | Sports". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  22. Lavoie, Alexandre. "Marc Dos Santos déçu mais réaliste | Alexandre Lavoie | Sports". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  23. Glover, Robin (October 26, 2008). "In an on-field ceremony before the CSL Final game on Sunday October 26th, 2008 awards were given out in a number of categories". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  24. "On a roll Trois-Rivieres Attak meet attractive Serbian White Eagles in CSL championship Sunday". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. October 22, 2008.
  25. Lavoie, Alexandre. "Olivieri gardien de l'année | Alexandre Lavoie | Sports". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  26. "More top coaches join the CSL". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. March 12, 2009.
  27. Martin, Robert. "L'Attak prend le virage jeunesse | Robert Martin | Sports". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  28. "September 21st, 2009 CSL League Standings Week 19". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. September 21, 2009.
  29. Gauthier, Louis-Simon. "La force des jeunes | Louis-Simon Gauthier | Sports". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  30. Glover, Robin (October 24, 2009). "Result of the Saturday October 24th, 2009 CSL Final between Trois-Rivieres Attak and Serbian White Eagles played at BMO Field in Toronto at 5:00pm". Rocket Robin's Home Page.
  31. GAUTHIER, LOUIS-SIMON. "L'Attak champion | Louis-Simon Gauthier | Sports". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  32. "October 27, 2009 CSL Award Winners (from CSL media release)". Rocket Robin's Home Page. CSL media release. October 27, 2009.
  33. "Le départ de l'Attak était devenu inévitable | Sports". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  34. "March 23, 2010 CSL Trois-Rivieres Attak will take one year of absence from the CSL (from attakfc.com)". Rocket Robin's Home Page. attakfc.com. March 23, 2010.
  35. "October 8, 2007 Canadian Soccer League Week 22 Standings". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  36. "October 5th, 2008 CSL League Standings Week 21 Final". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  37. "September 21st, 2009 CSL League Standings Week 19 End of Regular Season". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
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