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As we look ahead to Scrosoppi versus Vaughan Azzurri, we’ve profiled four players who could play starring roles in tonight’s final.

The 2025 Men’s L1 Cup Final is taking place on Wednesday, August 20 between Scrosoppi and Vaughan Azzurri, with both clubs looking to add to their League1 Ontario trophy cabinets.

Despite being serial champions in this competition, Vaughan Azzurri have – so far – never successfully retained their crown the following year. A stern Scrosoppi side will be doing their part to ensure that tradition continues, and that they keep alive their own chances of a league and cup double.

Vaughan Azzurri: Ryan Robinson

Ryan Robinson played less than half of Vaughan’s L1 Cup minutes last season, but when it comes to the 2025 campaign he’s been a key figure and will likely start for Carmine Isacco’s side right from kick-off in the final.

The 24-year-old has been a star of Vaughan’s attack in the Men’s Premier Division this season, collecting 19 appearances and 10 goals – leading the charts for his team. He even netted six goals in the space of five games late in the spring.

Regularly praised by coaches, he earned spots in the men’s Team of the Month for May and June, and with his peak likely not reached yet he can still go a long way in his career.

After a breakout season for Vaughan in 2021, he spent a year soaking up the professional game with Patrice Gheisar at HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League. Will we see him back at that level soon?

Vaughan Azzurri: Jacob Begley

Similarly to Robinson, Jacob Begley has been constantly praised by coaches in another season which has seen him at the heart of the Vaughan Azzurri midfield.

Standing at 6’5”, Begley is head and shoulders above most of the league in stature and skill. He played every minute of Vaughan’s Men’s Premier campaign last year as his side finished second in the standings and won the Men’s L1 Cup, earning him the Midfielder of the Year accolade.

This season he’s only missed 24 minutes, meaning he is one of the highest-appearing players once again. This pressure isn’t something he shies away from; he shone in five years at Ontario Tech Ridgebacks and was a U SPORTS All-Canadian in 2022.

Back in November, he returned to Ontario Tech to commentate on the Ridgebacks as they competed on the national stage, and he’ll no doubt be a big voice on the field this Wednesday.

Scrosoppi: Orlendis Benitez Hernandez

Orlendis Benitez Hernandez knows the Men’s L1 Cup, and his opponents Vaughan Azzurri, all too well.

After beginning his career in Cuba, his home country, the exciting talent made his first impressions in League1 Ontario in 2021 with eight regular-season matches. He doubled his tally a year later as he helped Vaughan win the Men’s Premier Division title.

Between two stints with Forge in the Canadian Premier League, which gave him a taste of the professional game, he became a star for Simcoe County Rovers. He won the Men’s Premier with the Barrie side in 2023, and played the full 90 in last year’s Men’s L1 Cup Final against Vaughan.

Now he’s back for more. Another trophy game, another against former club Vaughan, and while attention will certainly be on the likes of Omari Cotterell and reigning Men’s Premier MVP Tomasz Skublak, do not take your eyes off Scrosoppi’s number 10.

Scrosoppi: Nathaniel Susnik

Nathaniel Susnik played five times for Scrosoppi in the Men’s Premier last season, in addition to six matches in League2 and a further two in the U20 Fall Reserve League. But his year has seen his workload increase considerably.

The defender has managed more than 1,000 minutes in the League1 Ontario top flight in 16 games, and scored four goals in his last three matches as Scrosoppi chased league leaders Woodbridge Strikers.

He’s been recognized for his recent form, earning a spot in the Team of the Week for Matchweek 16 and 18. The 20-year-old has been a star in the making, having helped Scrosoppi partner club SC Vianense to a U19 title back in 2023.

He’s yet to play in the Men’s L1 Cup during his career, but with Scrosoppi looking to shut down the likes of Ryan Robinson and Chris Campoli, could we see an MVP performance in Susnik’s competition bow?