John Baretta (born May 6, 1955) is a Canadian retired soccer goalkeeper who played in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Soccer League.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | May 6, 1955 | ||
| Place of birth | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1978 | Eastern Illinois Panthers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1979 | Indianapolis Daredevils | ||
| 1980–1981 | Edmonton Drillers | 19 | (0) |
| 1980–1982 | Edmonton Drillers (indoor) | 35 | (0) |
| 1982–1983 | Buffalo Stallions (indoor) | 5 | (0) |
| 1983 | Toronto Nationals | ||
| 1983–1986 | Tacoma Stars (indoor) | 85 | (0) |
| 1986 | Los Angeles Lazers (indoor) | 1 | (0) |
| 1987 | Edmonton Brick Men | 4 | (0) |
| 1988 | Cleveland Force (indoor) | 0 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1987–1988 | Cleveland Force (assistant) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Baretta attended Eastern Illinois University where he was a 1978 All American soccer player.[1] John was regarded as one of the all-time best at the collegiate level by renowned college coach Schellas Hyndman. In 1979, he turned professional with the Indianapolis Daredevils of the American Soccer League. In 1980, he moved to the Edmonton Drillers of North American Soccer League. In 1983, he played with the Toronto Nationals of the Canadian Professional Soccer League.[2] In November 1986, Baretta signed a ten-day contract with the Los Angeles Lazers.[3] In 1987, he played with the Edmonton Brick Men.[4] In 1987, he became an assistant coach with the Cleveland Force. At the end of April 1988, the Force activated Baretta as a player after a series of injuries decimated the team's goalkeeper corps.[5] He continued to act as the backup goalkeeper into the playoffs, but never entered a game. In the early 1990s, he returned to the Pacific Northwest where he coaches youth and high school soccer. He is now a teacher and health and fitness coach at Gray M.S.
On March 1, 2018, Baretta was hit by a car while walking home from Gray, suffering a traumatic brain injury and a broken left tibia.[6][7]
References edit
- ^ "EIU Panthers Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "Toronto Nationals 1983 (CPSL)". nasljerseys.com.
- ^ Late three-goal outburst is a real Blast San Diego Union, The (CA) - Friday, November 14, 1986
- ^ "John Baretta soccer statistics on StatsCrew.com".
- ^ FORCE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DALLAS TRIP Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - Friday, April 29, 1988
- ^ Ocker, Kenny (2 March 2018). "Former Tacoma Stars goalie, Stadium coach 'fighting for his life' after being hit by car". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ Ocker, Kenny (16 March 2018). "Ex-Stars keeper, Stadium soccer coach on 'very, very long road to recovery'". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved 7 December 2023.