Tony Lecce Explained

Tony Lecce
Fullname:Anthony Lecce
Birth Date:1 January 1945
Birth Place:Rome, Italy
Position:Defender
Years1:1964–1966
Years2:1967
Years3:1968
Years4:1969
Years5:1969
Years6:1970
Years7:1971–1973
Clubs1:Toronto Italia
Clubs2:Boston Tigers
Clubs3:Toronto Falcons
Clubs4:Rochester Lancers
Clubs5:Toronto Italia
Clubs6:Toronto Hungaria
Clubs7:Toronto Metros
Caps3:28
Caps7:39
Goals3:1
Goals7:0
Nationalyears1:1968–1972
Nationalteam1:Canada
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:0

Anthony "Tony" Lecce (born January 1, 1945) is an Italian-born Canadian former soccer defender who earned nine caps with the Canadian national soccer team and played four seasons in the North American Soccer League.

Career

Lecce played in 1964 with Toronto Italia in the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League for three seasons.[1] Throughout his tenure with Italia he received the league's MVP award in 1965.[2] [3] In 1967, he played in the American Soccer League with Boston Tigers.[4] [5] He played in the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1968 with Toronto Falcons.[6] In early 1969, he played with Rochester Lancers in the American Soccer League.[7] The remainder of the season he played in the National Soccer League with former club Toronto Italia.[8] The following season he played with league rivals Toronto Hungaria.[9] In 1971, he returned to the NASL to sign with Toronto Metros from 1971 through 1973.[10] [11]

International career

He played for Canada where he made his debut on October 6, 1968 against Bermuda in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match.[12] He would make eight appearances for the national team.[13]

References

  1. Book: Jose, Colin. On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. 2001. Vaughan, Ontario. 214.
  2. Web site: Canada Soccer. canadasoccer.com. 2020-03-26.
  3. Web site: Chelsea May Play Here. Gillespie. Norman. October 21, 1965. Newspapers.com. The Gazette. 39. en. 2020-03-26.
  4. Web site: NASL-Tony Lecce. www.nasljerseys.com. 2020-03-26.
  5. Web site: Tony Lecce. Strack-Zimmermann. Benjamin. www.national-football-teams.com. en. 2020-03-26.
  6. Web site: Wolves play at Sun Valley Park. Wilson. Wayne. June 16, 1968. Newspapers.com. The Van Nuys News. 43. en. 2020-03-26.
  7. Web site: 2 Canadian Players ink Lancer Contracts. Loj. Alex. March 13, 1969. Newspapers.com. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. 40. en. 2020-03-26.
  8. News: Kernaghan. Jim. Veteran soccer league gets big chance. May 2, 1969. Toronto Daily Star. 23.
  9. News: April 14, 1971. Crystal Palace wingers join Toronto Metros. 29. The Globe and Mail.
  10. Web site: Mezzo secolo di ricordi Corriere Canadese. Sparano. Nicola. March 28, 2017. corriere.ca. Corriere Canadese. en-US. 2020-03-26.
  11. Web site: Some delight, surprise, and some wonder. Cross. Jeff. April 28, 1971. Newspapers.com. The Province. 24. en. 2020-03-26.
  12. Web site: Canada Soccer. www.canadasoccer.com. 2020-03-26.
  13. Web site: Canada Soccer. canadasoccer.com. 2020-03-26.

External links