Mid-Season Report: The Middle of a Crusade is Where the Battle Gets Hard

by Luigi Di Serio

Mid-Season Report: Canadian Crusaders Setting the Pace, Tests Still Ahead

At the midway point of the Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS) season, the Canadian Crusaders sit exactly where every club wants to be — perfect on paper, unbeaten, and firmly in the championship conversation. Yet beneath the spotless record lies a more nuanced and revealing story, one that suggests the second half of the season may be even more defining than the first.

The Numbers: Perfect, But Not Untested

The Crusaders enter mid-season with a 6-0–0 record, having picked up important wins against Chicago (twice),Rockford (twice),Lansing and Pittsburgh while continuing the momentum built from last year’s strong inaugural season and semi-final run. 

On the surface, the results are flawless. In reality, the path hasn’t been without turbulence.

Against Lansing, the Crusaders experienced moments of defensive lapses and momentum swings that briefly exposed vulnerabilities. Similarly, in matches versus Pittsburgh and Cleveland-adjacent competition, stretches of play showed that even an elite indoor side can be punished if concentration dips — particularly in transition and rest-defense situations common in arena soccer.

What separates the Crusaders so far is not perfection, but response. Each time adversity surfaced, they found solutions.

Depth, Experience, and Adaptability

Those solutions have come from a roster that blends experience with composure. The Crusaders have shown an ability to:

  • Win games in different ways

  • Absorb pressure when momentum shifts

  • Adjust tactically within matches

  • Massive spread of scoring amongst the line up

That adaptability was also on display outside league play, when the Crusaders entered a $100,000 Golden Goal, winner-takes-all tournament in Toronto. Playing 6v6 without boards — far from their arena comfort zone — they surprised many by reaching the finals, reinforcing the idea that this group’s competitiveness extends beyond one format.

A Goalkeeper Redefining the Position

No mid-season report would be complete without spotlighting Filip Zendelek, the reigning MLIS Goalkeeper of the Year, whose impact has gone well beyond shot-stopping.

Through five league matches:

  • 2 goals

  • 4 assists

  • 6 out of 6 wins

  • 1 shutout

  • Huge saves and possession control on the backline 

In indoor soccer, goalkeepers initiate attacks. Zendelek finishes them. His distribution, confidence stepping into play, and ability to swing momentum have been central to the Crusaders’ success — often papering over brief defensive breakdowns before they become costly. Every team claims to have a solution to Zendelek, but he remains their biggest problem.

The Elephant in the Room: Cleveland

While the Crusaders remain perfect, they are not alone at the top.

Cleveland currently sits at 4–0–0, matching Toronto’s intensity and efficiency — and notably, the two teams have not yet faced each other. That looming matchup hangs over the league as the most anticipated measuring stick of the season.

Until that meeting happens, the standings remain unresolved. Records suggest parity. Eye tests suggest a collision course. The two teams faced each other three times last season. Every game was tied after regulation. 7-7, 7-7 and 8-8. Cleveland won two out of the three in extra time. If they match up this closely in 2026, this could be the most unspoken about competitive rivalry in North America sport. 

What Needs to Improve

For the Crusaders to turn a perfect start into a championship season, the margins will matter:

  • Cleaning up defensive lapses like those seen against Lansing

  • Managing momentum better in hostile road environments

  • Finishing games with greater control rather than relying on late responses

These are not warning signs — they are championship adjustments.

Mid-Season Verdict

At the halfway mark, the Canadian Crusaders are exactly where contenders should be:

  • Unbeaten

  • Battle-tested

  • Aware of their flaws

They have proven they can win.


The second half will determine how they win — and whether they can do it against the league’s other unbeaten standard in Cleveland.

One thing is certain:
The Crusaders’ toughest test hasn’t arrived yet — and that’s what makes the season compelling.