Michele Gioia

Italian footballer
Michele Gioia
Personal information
Date of birth (1971-07-31) 31 July 1971 (age 52)
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

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

Playing career

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

  1. ^ "1989 90 SERIE C1". SPEZIA CALCIO story (in Italian). Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  2. ^ "1989/90". SPEZIA CALCIO story (in Italian). Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  3. ^ Almanacco illustrato del calcio anno. Edizioni Panini. 1992. p. 350.
  4. ^ a b Miolla, Piero (2020-07-08). "Il lucano Michele Gioia, definito il "Giovinco degli Anni '90" nel racconto di Nicola Sparano". il Caleidoscopio (in Italian). Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  5. ^ Davidson, Neil (July 27, 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. November 8, 1996.
  7. ^ Gallagher, Danny (October 28, 1996). "Don't cry for him". Newspapers.com. The Kokomo Tribune. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  8. ^ "Michele Gioia | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  9. ^ Phillips, Randy (April 15, 1997). "Late start to put pressure on Impact". Newspapers.com. The Montreal Gazette. p. 50. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  10. ^ Hendren, Paul (August 25, 1997). "Lynx Letdown - Late season slump continues for Lynx". Canada Kicks.
  11. ^ Nicola. "1999-00 - A.S. Materasassi - Eccellenza Lucana". www.materacalciostory.it. Retrieved 2019-08-27.