Franco Lalli (born March 11, 1985)[1] is a Canadian former soccer player who most recently played as a midfielder for North York Astros in the Canadian Soccer League.

Franco Lalli
Personal information
Full name Franco Lalli
Date of birth (1985-03-11) March 11, 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Toronto, Ontario
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1991–1995 Woodbridge Strikers
1995–1997 Woodbridge Town
1998–1999 Ontario Provincial team
2000 Brampton Lions
2001 University of Notre Dame
2002 Foggia Calcio
2003 US Avellino
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004 S.S. Cavese 1919 0 (0)
2005 U.S.D. Lucera Calcio 0 (0)
2005–2006 Lombard-Pápa TFC 10 (0)
2007–2008 North York Astros 21 (1)
International career
2005 Canada U-20 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 July 2009

Club career

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Lalli commenced his soccer career at the youth level with various teams, including the Woodbridge Strikers, Woodbridge Town Football Club, Brampton Lions,[2] Ontario Provincial team and the University of Notre Dame. He then pursued opportunities abroad in Italy, where he played for several clubs, namely U.S.D. Lucera Calcio, Foggia Calcio, S.S. Cavese 1919, US Avellino[3] and Foggia Calcio. In 2005, he signed with Lombard-Pápa TFC in the Hungarian National Championship II, but was released in 2006. On April 17, 2008, the North York Astros announced Lalli's signing for the 2008 season.[4] He scored his first goal for the Astros on August 9 against the Brampton Lions.[5] Throughout the season, Lalli contributed significantly to the team's success, helping set an all-time record for most points and wins in a season, and securing a playoff berth. In the quarterfinal match, Lalli scored the Astros' only goal, forcing extra time, but the Serbian White Eagles ultimately scoring the winning goal to advance to the semifinals.[6]

International career

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Lalli appeared for Canada in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, although he did not play in the tournament.[7] In total, he recorded four appearances with the Canadian national U-20 team.[8]

Style of play

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A versatile player, Lalli is known for being an all-rounder, and can play as a forward or as an offensive midfielder on both the left or as right flanks.[9]

Personal life

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Lalli lives in Toronto and is fan of Roberto Baggio.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Voetbal International - Franco Lalli". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  2. ^ "FACILITIES IN ONTARIO AT CROSSROADS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  3. ^ "CanadaSoccer.com | Official Site of the Canadian Soccer Association - 26.5.2003 - CAN 2:4 CZE". Archived from the original on 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  4. ^ Astros Team Line-Up[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Astros Take A Six Point Lead On Lions". Archived from the original on 2009-08-15. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  6. ^ CSL game between Serbian White Eagles and North York Astros
  7. ^ FIFA.com - FIFA Player Statistics: Franco LALLI
  8. ^ CanadaSoccer.com | Official Site of the Canadian Soccer Association[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Professional Soccer Players Looking For Soccer Team to Join". Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  10. ^ https://www.facebook.com/people/Franco-Lalli/505375990 [user-generated source]
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