Robert Iarusci
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Iarusci | ||
| Date of birth | November 8, 1954 | ||
| Place of birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1976–1977 | Toronto Metros-Croatia | 45 | (3) |
| 1977–1978 | New York Cosmos | 19 | (2) |
| 1979–1980 | Washington Diplomats | 59 | (4) |
| 1981–1983 | New York Cosmos | 72 | (3) |
| 1981–1982 | New York Cosmos (indoor) | 16 | (2) |
| 1984 | San Diego Sockers | 22 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1976–1983 | Canada | 26 | (2) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Robert "Bob" Iarusci (born November 8, 1954) is a former star NASL player and member of the Canadian national soccer team. In 2012 as part of the Canadian Soccer Association's centennial celebration, he was named to the all-time Canada XI men's team.
A right back, Iarusci began his NASL career with his hometown Toronto Metros-Croatia, playing the 1976 and part of 1977. He played every game as the Toronto won the league championship in '76. Iarusci played nearly the entire 1977 season in Toronto, but was traded at the end of the season to the New York Cosmos where he saw time in one game in 1977. He also played the 1978 season in New York, as they won consecutive Soccer Bowls. He was traded in the Spring of '79 to the Washington Diplomats and played there two seasons. Iarusci returned to the Cosmos to play 1981 through '83, and finished with the San Diego Sockers as the league folded following its 1984 season. Overall Iarusci won four Soccer Bowl titles, three of them in a row.
Iarusci played 26 times for Canada from 1976 through 1983 and captained the team for a number of games. He scored twice, both in qualification for the 1982 World Cup and playing as sweeper. The first goal on November 1, 1980, in a 2-1 win over the U.S. in Vancouver and the second in Canada's last match of the CONCACAF finals tournament against Cuba. The game finished 2-2 and Canada, along with Mexico, failed to qualify, finishing a point shy of second place qualifier El Salvador.
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