Bayete Smith

Bayete Smith (born April 11, 1972) is a Canadian former soccer player who played in the Canadian Professional Soccer League, and the USL A-League.

Playing career

Smith began his career in the Canadian Professional Soccer League with the Toronto Olympians. Throughout the 1998 CPSL season, he achieved an undefeated season with the Olympians - the first club within the league to achieve this milestone.^[1] As well as winning the double by winning the regular season and the Open Canada Cup. The club reached the playoff finals but where defeated by St. Catharines Wolves by 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout. He re-signed with the Olympians the following season where he contributed in the club's second consecutive undefeated season which allowed them to claim the regular season championship; the first club to reach that milestone in the league's history. Within that year he managed to win a Treble with the club by claiming the Open Canada Cup, CPSL Championship, and the League championship.^[2]

During the 2000 season, Smith was again instrumental in Toronto's successful campaign where he led the Olympians to a 10-game undefeated streak, as well as claiming the Open Canada Cup in the process. The victory in claiming the Open Cup marked the first time in the league's history a club winning the trophy three consecutive years in a row. Though he did manage to lead his team to the playoff finals, they were defeated by Toronto Croatia by a score of 2-1.^[3] For his efforts he was awarded the CPSL Defender of the Year award for his contribution for helping the club achieve the best defensive record.^[4] In 2002, when the Olympians relocated to Mississauga Smith signed with the Toronto Lynx of the USL A-League. He made his debut for the Lynx on May 3, 2002 in a 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Silverbacks.^[5] The next day Toronto faced Charlotte Eagles and Smith scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 defeat.^[6] Shortly after he was released from his contract with Toronto.

Following his release he returned to the CPSL to sign with Vaughan Sun Devils.^[7] Smith best season with Vaughan came in 2003, where he assisted the club in placing third in the Eastern Conference allowing a playoff berth for the club. In the postseason Smith recorded goals in both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches and helped the Vaughan reach the finals.^[8][9] Unfortunately Smith was absent from the match due to a family baptism, while his team lost 1-0 to the Brampton Hitmen.^[10] In 2004, he signed with Brampton Hitmen and helped the club reach the postseason by finishing fourth in the Western Conference. They were eliminated early on in the semi-finals to eventual champions Toronto Croatia.^[11]

Honors

Toronto Olympians

• CPSL Championship (1): 1999
• Open Canada Cup (3): 1998, 1999, 2000
• Canadian Professional Soccer League Regular Season Champions (3): 1998, 1999, 2000

References

1. ↑ "1998 CPSL Standings Week 18". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18. 
2. ↑ Glover, Robin. "Toronto Olympians vs Toronto Croatia". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18. 
3. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 1, 2000 Toronto Olympians vs Toronto Croatia". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18. 
4. ↑ RUMLESKI, Kathy. "LFP Sports: Croatia bags Primus Cup by upsetting Olympians". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. The London Free Press. Retrieved 2015-04-18. 
5. ↑ Michalko, Eric. "http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02lynx20.htm". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Toronto Lynx Game Report. Retrieved 2015-04-18.  External link in |title= (help)
6. ↑ Michalko, Eric. "http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02lynx21.htm". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Toronto Lynx Game Report. Retrieved 2015-04-18.  External link in |title= (help)
7. ↑ Glover, Robin. "June 2, 2002 CPSL Brampton Hitmen vs Vaughan Sun Devils (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18. 
8. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 1st, 2003 CPSL Playoff Toronto Supra vs Vaughan Sun Devils". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18. 
9. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 4, 2003 CPSL Rogers Cup Semi-Final Hamilton Thunder vs Vaughan Sun Devils". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18. 
10. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 5th, 2003 CPSL Rogers Cup Playoffs Final Vaughan Sun Devils vs Brampton Hitmen". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18. 
11. ↑ Glover, Robin. "October 8, 2004 CPSL Rogers Cup Wildcard game Brampton Hitmen vs Toronto Croatia (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18.