Gus Kartes
Encyclopedia
Gus Kartes also known by his Greek name Kostas Karterouliotis is a Greek-American soccer player, who is not active.
Kartes initially became notable in 1996 when, at the age of 15, he signed a 5-year, $2 million contract with Greek soccer giants Olympiakos, becoming the youngest player to ever sign a first-division contract in Greece
. Kartes did not fulfill Olympiakos's hopes, however, garnering little first team playing time, and eventually bought out his contract with a year remaining in order to return to America and play in Major League Soccer
. Upon returning to the United States, the Colorado Rapids
acquired Kartes in a lottery, but traded him to his hometown Tampa Bay Mutiny
in exchange for draft picks. Kartes played the 2001 season for the Mutiny, but was largely unimpressive, registering no points in 516 minutes. After the Mutiny were contracted at the end of the 2001 season, Kartes went undrafted in the allocation
and dispersal
drafts. It is widely believed that Kartes's soccer short-comings were due to his father being known as a soccer dad. This turned many teams away from this promising young man.
Following this, Kartes returned to Greece to play for Kalamata FC
of the Greek second division. He returned to the United States in 2004 to sign with the Chicago Storm
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
. The Storm was coached by fellow Greek-American Frank Klopas
.
Kartes recently married Alexandra Goodman, a young lady who works at his parents' bakery in Tarpon Springs. They just had their first child.
Kartes initially became notable in 1996 when, at the age of 15, he signed a 5-year, $2 million contract with Greek soccer giants Olympiakos, becoming the youngest player to ever sign a first-division contract in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Kartes did not fulfill Olympiakos's hopes, however, garnering little first team playing time, and eventually bought out his contract with a year remaining in order to return to America and play in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. Upon returning to the United States, the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
acquired Kartes in a lottery, but traded him to his hometown Tampa Bay Mutiny
Tampa Bay Mutiny
The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...
in exchange for draft picks. Kartes played the 2001 season for the Mutiny, but was largely unimpressive, registering no points in 516 minutes. After the Mutiny were contracted at the end of the 2001 season, Kartes went undrafted in the allocation
2002 MLS Allocation Draft
After the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion were contracted, Major League Soccer distributed their players to the rest of the league by means of an Allocation Draft, in which teams with excess allocations were allowed to select from their players. Players not selected in the Allocation Draft went...
and dispersal
2002 MLS Dispersal Draft
The 2002 MLS Dispersal Draft was held by Major League Soccer on January 11, 2002, following the contraction of the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny to distribute the two teams' players that were not selected in the 2002 MLS Allocation Draft.-Round 1:...
drafts. It is widely believed that Kartes's soccer short-comings were due to his father being known as a soccer dad. This turned many teams away from this promising young man.
Following this, Kartes returned to Greece to play for Kalamata FC
Kalamata FC
Kalamata F.C. is a professional football club based in Kalamata, Greece, currently competing in Delta Ethniki.-Background:Kalamata F.C. was formed in 1967 in a merger among Apollon Kalamata and other local sides.- History :...
of the Greek second division. He returned to the United States in 2004 to sign with the Chicago Storm
Chicago Storm
The Chicago Storm is a team in the Ultimate Soccer League that began play in the 2004-2005 season as a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League.-History:The Storm played home games during its first two seasons at the UIC Pavilion on the west side of Chicago...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
. The Storm was coached by fellow Greek-American Frank Klopas
Frank Klopas
Fotios "Frank" Klopas is a retired Greek-American soccer forward and midfielder. Klopas is currently the Head Coach for the Chicago Fire...
.
Kartes recently married Alexandra Goodman, a young lady who works at his parents' bakery in Tarpon Springs. They just had their first child.