Michele Gioia (born 31 July 1971) is an Italian former footballer.

Michele Gioia
Personal information
Date of birth (1971-07-31) 31 July 1971 (age 53)
Place of birth Pisticci, Italy
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1988 Reggio Audace F.C.
1989–1990 Spezia Calcio 8 (0)
1991–1992 Calcio Lecco 1912
1994 Toronto Jets
1996 Toronto Italia
1997 Montreal Impact 6 (0)
1997 Toronto Lynx 10 (4)
1999–2001 A.S. Materasassi 18 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Gioia began in Serie C1 for the 1987–88 season with Reggio Audace F.C.[1] The following season he signed with Spezia Calcio, where he played in the 1989–90 Coppa Italia against Inter Milan in the first round.[2] In 1991, he played in the Lega Pro Seconda Divisione with Calcio Lecco 1912.[3] In 1994, he played abroad in the Canadian National Soccer League with the Toronto Jets.[4] In 1996, he played with Toronto Italia after they merged with the Toronto Jets.[5][4]

In his debut season with Italia he finished as the league's top goalscorer, and helped produce a perfect season.[6] He featured in the CNSL All-Star match for Italia which included Diego Maradona.[7] He was also given the league's MVP award.[6] In 1997, he signed with the Montreal Impact in the USISL A-League.[8][9] In the middle of the season he was acquired by the Toronto Lynx, and recorded his first goals on 24 August 1997 against Long Island Rough Riders.[10]

In 1999, he played in the Eccellenza Basilicata with A.S. Materasassi.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "1989 90 SERIE C1". SPEZIA CALCIO story (in Italian). Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  2. ^ "1989/90". SPEZIA CALCIO story (in Italian). Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  3. ^ Almanacco illustrato del calcio anno. Edizioni Panini. 1992. p. 350.
  4. ^ a b Miolla, Piero (8 July 2020). "Il lucano Michele Gioia, definito il "Giovinco degli Anni '90" nel racconto di Nicola Sparano". il Caleidoscopio (in Italian). Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  5. ^ Davidson, Neil (27 July 1997). "Tilley makes an Impact: New striker faces old mates in hot soccer rivalry". Montreal Gazette. p. B6.
  6. ^ a b "Canadian National Soccer League 1993 to 1997" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. 8 November 1996.
  7. ^ Gallagher, Danny (28 October 1996). "Don't cry for him". Newspapers.com. The Kokomo Tribune. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Michele Gioia | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  9. ^ Phillips, Randy (15 April 1997). "Late start to put pressure on Impact". Newspapers.com. The Montreal Gazette. p. 50. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  10. ^ Hendren, Paul (25 August 1997). "Lynx Letdown - Late season slump continues for Lynx". Canada Kicks.
  11. ^ Nicola. "1999-00 - A.S. Materasassi - Eccellenza Lucana". www.materacalciostory.it. Retrieved 27 August 2019.