Soccer notebook: Western Mustangs shine, FC London men moving up

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London has long been a soccer city and that reputation is growing.

The Western women’s team is ranked a post-COVID high of No. 4 in the country heading into a home-and-home set with McMaster starting Friday in Hamilton and wrapping up Sunday, 1 p.m. at Western Alumni Stadium. The Mustangs are usually in the mix and had a great run as consolation champs at nationals last year in Kingston.

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The early rankings for the unbeaten 3-0-1 crew reflects its ascent.

“There’s some strong veteran pieces,” Martin Painter, the head coach of both the men’s and women’s squads, said. “If you look through the spine of the team, you’ve got an all-Canadian centre-back in Avarie Thomas (who also plays for the university’s basketball team) and Mackenzie Bilotta in the centre midfield. Those are very experienced top players (along with third-year Tessa Dubois-Phillips, who is scoring a lot early). The leadership group is really strong.”

Painter brought in a new associate head coach in Onkar Dhillon, who has made a positive impact on the women’s side of the program. He was with Canada Soccer’s National Development Centre and complements the existing staff well.

“It’s given me more time to focus on the men’s team, which I’m enjoying,” Painter said. “Our women’s team is strong. The culture is good and I think we’ve enhanced it. The men’s team is moving in the right direction.”

MOVING UP: Last month, the FC London men clinched its spot in the League1 Ontario premier division in an unconventional way. The team finished second in the championship behind TFC Academy, who has opted to leave the league. That departure elevated London up a rung without having to contest a play-in game.

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“We found out with four games left in the season,” FC London director of soccer Dave DeBenedictis said. “We had a few transition years and we’re very proud to be up there. We hold ourselves to a standard and we have to be where we should be.”

The women’s team finished second in the premier division, but won the League1 Cup.

“Great accomplishment and another trophy for the case,” DeBenedictis said.

TO THE TOP: Both Western and FC London were part of the development of 24-year-old Belal Halbouni, who has broken through with the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer this season.

Halbouni switched to centre back while at FC London and the position change was a big spark to his pro career. He played in Germany and with the Syrian national team, but tore his anterior cruciate ligament two years ago.

He is in the Canadian pipeline now and in the national men’s team mix. The women’s side, of course, has Londoner Jessie Fleming as its captain.

“Belal battled to get the minutes he’s getting and every time he plays, he does well,” Painter said. “There is the national team ahead of World Cup 2026 and I think he can do it. He’s worked extremely hard to get where he is.”

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There are more on the rise. St. Thomas native and University of Nebraska midfielder Sadie Waite was part of Canada’s entry at the FIFA under-20 women’s World Cup in Colombia. FC London’s keeper Lucie Duffy has made great strides in goal at the under-17 level.

“Winning is great, but we’re a stepping stone,” DeBenedictis said. “We want the world to take notice of what’s going on in this city.”

It’s starting to happen. Jovan Ivanisevic, who went through the Alliance FC system, signed at age 19 in the spring with NK Istra of Croatia’s first division. Last week, FC London academy member Ben Collucci signed with Estoril Praia’s under-16 squad in Portugal.

NATIONALS BOUND: The London Alliance under-17 girls beat Union Bradford 3-0 in the Ontario Cup final and qualified for the national championships in Sydney, N.S., starting Oct. 9. Make it back-to-back appearances for Abe Hadzic’s team.

rpyette@postmedia.com

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