Martin Cohen (soccer)
Martin Cohen (born 3 February 1952) is a South African former professional association footballer who played for the Los Angeles Aztecs.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Martin Cohen | ||
Date of birth | 3 February 1952 | ||
Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||
Playing position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1970–1977 | Highlands Park | ||
1977 | Los Angeles Aztecs | 21 | (0) |
1978–1979 | Highlands Park | ||
1979 | California Surf | 23 | (0) |
1980–1982 | Highlands Park | ||
1983–1984 | Wits University | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Playing career
Cohen was a starter for Highlands Park during the apartheid era of soccer in South Africa. He had trained with this club since the age of 10.[1] On 20 April 1974, Cohen was part of the White XI that played their black counterparts in a racially charged match at Rand Stadium. After initially going down 1-0 to the black side (the goal was called off-side by referee Wally Turner), Cohen scored a crucial goal before Neil Roberts put the game away.[2]
In 1975, Cohen won the South Africa's player of the year.[3]
In December 1976 he signed with the Los Angeles Aztecs.[1] He scored his first two goals in the first leg of the second round of the NASL playoffs against the Dallas Tornado as the Aztecs won 3-1.[4] He played with the California Surf in 1979.[5]
His son, Larry Cohen, is also a footballer.
Footnotes
- "Aztecs sign Martin Cohen". Tampa Tribune. 25 December 1976.
- Cress, Doug (3 July 2000). "Color Bind". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
- Glick, Shav (21 August 1977). "Aztecs Face Seattle Test Today". Los Angeles Times. p. III.11.
- "...while Los Angeles battles". Fort Myers News-Press. 16 August 1977.
- "Surf plays Moscow team tonight in Anaheim". Los Angeles Times. 23 February 1979.