Kai Haaskivi
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Kai Haaskivi (born December 28th, 1955 in Lahti, Finland) is a former indoor soccer star, North American Soccer League player, and Finland national football team member. He now coaches in the United States.
The 178 cm midfielder began his NASL career in the summer of 1978 playing for the Dallas Tornado. Haaskivi played the '79 and '80 seasons with the Houston Hurricane and '81 and '82 with the Edmonton Drillers. He led the league in assists in 1981 with 21 and helped the Drillers win the '80-'81 NASL indoor championship. He finished his NASL career with 112 points in 135 games.
Haaskivi began his MISL career in the league's inaugural season of 1978-79 with the Houston Summit. Playing the next season with the Summit as well, he was named an MISL all-star in both seasons. The team lost the championship to the New York Arrows in 1980.
Haaskivi went on to star with the Cleveland Force (1982-83 through 1986-87), Baltimore Blast (1987-88 and '88-89), before returning to Cleveland to play for the Cleveland Crunch. He was player-coach for his first season back. He retired as a player in 1993, playing his final season for the team in the NPSL.
Haaskivi finished the original MISL's 5th all-time points with 683 in 425 games. His 386 assists ranks him second. He was an eight-time league all-star selection. He was a 1984 and 1987 all-star selection and named MVP of the 1987 all-star game.
Haaskivi played 12 full internationals for Finland. In a 1982 friendly in Helsinki against England celebrating the Finnish F.A.'s 75th anniversity he scored a penalty as the team lost 1-4.
Haaskivi is currently ladies and mens head coach of Myers University, a post he has held since 2005. During the 1990s he served as a director for IMG's soccer academy in Bradenton. He was assistant coach of the U-17 U.S. National (boys) Team. From 2001 to 2004 he was head coach and general manager of Pittsburgh Riverhounds, an A-League Soccer team.
Haaskivi is brother-in-law of former star Finnish ice hockey player Matti Hagman.
