Windsor TFC opens its League1 Ontario season at home against North Mississauga SC.
The club has a new coach in Zibby Piatkiewicz. He's hoping to build a team that can be perennial winners through youth development but admits he wants to win now too.
"I put a lot of pressure on myself and what I'm looking for is, I want to build a winning team and a winning mentality," says Piatkiewicz. "I'm all about winning, but at the same time I'm looking to develop young players."
Piatkiewicz says he has a strong focus on working in more young players into the squad and it starts in practice.
"Basically we get a good look at them, how they react to playing with much bigger players — physically, some of these players they're not ready. As far as the skill goes, some of these players could play at this level already. I always like to finish on top. I would like to be in first place, but my expectations are to make the playoffs. What's going to happen there? Who knows? Anything can happen in the playoffs."
Windsor TFC Head Coach, Zibby Piatkiewicz, runs practice on April 26, 2017. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Windsor TFC and North Mississauga are the first teams to kick-off in the League1 Ontario season.
Game-time is set for 8:15pm at the University of Windsor's Alumni Field.
League1 Ontario is the only professional-amateur senior league in the province and is meant to help develop young players between the amateur ranks and professional sides.