He knew he needed their help if the league was to survive.

"In the beginning, the older ones were taking part," he said. "But when the youth of the community started to take interest it (the league) took off."

The league he founded is the first and only sporting association in the 15,000 strong Goan community in Toronto. Goa, an Indian province most known to be a premier travel destination for psychedelic hippies since the 1960s, also has been a soccer hot spot.

Cyprian D'Cruz, vice-president of the league, likes to point out Goa consistently finishes in the top echelon in the widely popular inter-provincial tournaments in India.

In Toronto, it is apparent that for second generation Goans, soccer is the No. 1 sport.

"Field hockey used to be the sport when our parents first came here, since it was more traditionally Indian," said Conrad Collaco who has been playing in the league for five years. "But soccer is more accessible and now far more Goan men are into it."

Collaco said the league is starting to bring the community together and give Goans a sense of culture. The 11 teams are named after villages in Goa, symbolizing their identity.

For Justin D'Silva, whose team is also family (seven of the 11 starters are part of the D'Silva clan), game day is not all soccer.

"All the wives come out ... it's about meeting all the different families," he said. "What spawns from that is barbecues, dinners, golf games. It's an excuse to plan social events."

The teams play every Sunday, each game attracting spectators lugging lawn chairs.

"It's a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon," said Ron Montero, while having a barbeque with teammates and family. "It has become a community thing"

Although it is only a recreational league, the talent level has increased.

Now stars like Elton Fernandez, who is on the under-20 Canada national team, are participants and the league runs all summer.