Robert Iarusci
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" Iarusci (born November 8th, 1954 in Toronto) is a former star NASL player and member of the Canadian national soccer 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 next played for the New York Cosmos for the remainder of '77 and 1978, 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 played 1981 through '83, and finished with the San Diego Sockers as the league folded following its 1984 season.
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.
Iarusci was an inaugural member of Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, inducted in 2000. He is currently chairman of the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club and vice president of the North York Hearts Soccer Club. He also is soccer analyst on The Fan 590's "The Soccer Show".
