Michele Gioia

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

Michele Gioia
Personal information
Date of birth (1971-07-31) 31 July 1971
Place of birth Pisticci, Italy
Playing 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)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

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.

In his debut season with Italia he finished as the league's top goalscorer, and helped produce a perfect season.[5] He featured in the CNSL All-Star match for Italia which included Diego Maradona.[6] He was also given the league's MVP award.[5] In 1997, he signed with the Montreal Impact in the USISL A-League.[7][8] In the middle of the season he was acquired by the Toronto Lynx, and recorded his first goals on August 24, 1997 against Long Island Rough Riders.[9]

In 1999, he played in the Eccellenza Basilicata with A.S. Materasassi.[10]

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. "CNSL Rosters and Alumni". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. rec.sport.soccer. July 2, 1995. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  5. "Canadian National Soccer League 1993 to 1997" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. November 8, 1996.
  6. Gallagher, Danny (October 28, 1996). "Don't cry for him". Newspapers.com. The Kokomo Tribune. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  7. "Michele Gioia | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  8. Phillips, Randy (April 15, 1997). "Late start to put pressure on Impact". Newspapers.com. The Montreal Gazette. p. 50. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  9. Hendren, Paul (August 25, 1997). "Lynx Letdown - Late season slump continues for Lynx". Canada Kicks.
  10. Nicola. "1999-00 - A.S. Materasassi - Eccellenza Lucana". www.materacalciostory.it. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
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