John Baretta
Encyclopedia
John Baretta is a retired Canadian soccer goalkeeper
who played in the North American Soccer League
, Major Indoor Soccer League
and American Soccer League
.
Baretta attended Eastern Illinois University
where he was a 1978 Division II Honorable Mention (third team) All American soccer player. 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
. 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. 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.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who played in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
and American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
.
Baretta attended Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University is a state university located in Charleston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1895 as the Eastern Illinois State Normal School, a teacher's college offering a two-year degree, Eastern Illinois University gradually expanded into a comprehensive university with a...
where he was a 1978 Division II Honorable Mention (third team) All American soccer player. In 1979, he turned professional with the Indianapolis Daredevils
Indianapolis Daredevils
The Indianapolis Daredevils, known officially as the Indy Daredevils, was an American soccer club based in Indianapolis, Indiana that was a member of the American Soccer League...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. In 1980, he moved to the Edmonton Drillers of North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. In November 1986, Baretta signed a ten day contract with the Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers were a soccer team based out of Los Angeles that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1982 to 1989.-History:Major Indoor Soccer League awarded a Los Angeles franchise to Jerry Buss on June 24, 1982. Buss had purchased the Philadelphia Fever and wanted to move it to...
. 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. 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.