John Baretta
John Baretta 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 | ||
| Playing position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –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) |
| 1983–1986 | Tacoma Stars (indoor) | 85 | (0) |
| 1986 | Los Angeles Lazers (indoor) | 1 | (0) |
| 1988 | Cleveland Force (indoor) | 0 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1987–1988 | Cleveland Force (assistant) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
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 November 1986, Baretta signed a ten-day contract with the Los Angeles Lazers.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4][5]
References
- EIU Panthers Media Guide
- Late three-goal outburst is a real Blast San Diego Union, The (CA) - Friday, November 14, 1986
- FORCE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DALLAS TRIP Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - Friday, April 29, 1988
- http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article203252609.html
- http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article205395774.html