Name: Denzil Antonio

Position: Head Coach

Date of Birth: 2/12/64

Hometown: London, England

Antonio would lead the expansion Vortex to a respectable 8-8 record during the 2009-2010 PASL-Pro season. The club now hopes to build off the strong finish of last season in order to contend for the Eastern Division crown. The London, England native returns for his second year at the helm, working with a mix of youth and experience for the Canton, OH based professional team.

Antonio, a highly respected member the soccer community, was a four-year starter at the University of Akron from 1981 to 1984. He was named All-Ohio in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984. Antonio would receive All-Midwest honors in 1984. He would contribute 12 goals and 20 assists in 84 regular season and 8 NCAA playoff matches.  

Antonio would go on to enjoy a decorated career as a professional soccer player and coach. He currently ranks 15th all-time in games played (334), 4th all-time in blocks (485), and 35th all-time in total points (483). Antonio was named to the All-Pro Team for the 1987/1988, 1989/1990, 1990/1991, and 1992/1993 seasons. He was also named the NPSL Defender of the Year for the 1990/1991 season.

Antonio was an assistant coach for the Canton Invaders for the 1992/1993 and 1993/1994 seasons before serving as head coach of the NPSL's Invaders for the 1994/1995 and 1995/1996 seasons. He would retire from the professional ranks in April 1997 after playing and serving as an assistant coach with the NPSL's Cincinnati Silverbacks for a single season.

He would go on to serve as the Director of Coaching for the Akron Metro Futbol Club (1997-present), the South Euclid Lyndhurst Soccer Club (2002-2008), and the Highland Youth Soccer Club (1990 to 2001). Antonio would also spend time as a coach for five clubs and three high schools.

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