Marco Rizi
Encyclopedia
Marco Rizi is a former Canadian professional soccer player. Rizi played in the American Professional Soccer League
, professional indoor soccer
, and briefly in Major League Soccer
.
in 1985. He began his professional career in 1988 with Montreal Supra
in the Canadian Soccer League. In 1990, after having spent most of September and the first half of October on trial with the Cleveland Crunch
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
, Rizi signed with the team on October 13, 1990. He was a regular with the Crunch during the 1990-1991 season and on July 31, 1991, the San Diego Sockers made him a contract offer. The Crunch met the offer a week later and Rizi remained in Cleveland for the 1991-1992 season. He lost eight games at the start of the season with a groin injury, then underwent arthroscopic surgery in February 1992 for torn cartilage in his left knee. He lost several weeks before returning to play only to break a bone in his left foot at the start of the play offs. He returned to the Supra for the 1992 CSL season, but the team and the league collapsed at the end of the season.
In February 1993, Rizi signed with the Detroit Rockers
of the National Professional Soccer League. On April 3, 1993, he joined the Montreal Impact
of the American Professional Soccer League
. He would play both the 1993 and 1994 APSL seasons in Montreal, scoring once in 24 games in 1993 and twice in 1994. In 1994, the Impact won the APSL championship. In the fall of 1993, he signed with the Canton Invaders
. On February 27, 1994, the Chicago Power
acquired Rizi from the Invaders in exchange for "future considerations". Rizi returned to the Invaders for the start of the 1994-1995 NPSL season.
On February 16, 1995, he moved to the Buffalo Blizzard
. In May 1995, he signed with the Seattle Sounders of the A-League. Rizi and his team mates would win the league championship. He returned to the Blizzard for the 1995-1996 NPSL season, but broke his leg in the season opener and lost the remainder of the season. In 1996, he played for the Rochester Rhinos in the A-League. On May 3, 1997, he signed with the New York / New Jersey MetroStars
, coming on to play 33 minutes as a substitute in one game. Rizi retired in 1998. On October 25, 2000, Rizi signed with the Houston Hotshots
of the World Indoor Soccer League
. In October 2001, he signed with the Cleveland Crunch
.
in the 1980s andRizi played two games at the 1987 Pan American Games
. At the time, he was a member of the Canada U-20 men's national soccer team
with which he earned 11 caps, including two at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
.
He made his senior debut for Canada
in a September 1992 friendly match against the USA
and went on to earn a total of 12 caps, scoring no goals. He has represented Canada in 2 FIFA World Cup qualification
matches. His final international was an August 1995 Caribana Cup match against Jamaica
.
Rizi is currently soccer coach with Fairview High School
in Fairview Park, Ohio
.
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
, professional indoor soccer
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
, and briefly 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...
.
Club career
Rizi grew up in Montreal, graduating from Laurier Macdonald High SchoolLaurier Macdonald High School
Laurier Macdonald High School is an English-language public school in the east end of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The school is named for Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada and a Father of Confederation and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the first French-Canadian Prime Minister of Canada...
in 1985. He began his professional career in 1988 with Montreal Supra
Montreal Supra
Montreal Supra was a club in the Canadian Soccer League from 1988 to 1992.-Former players: Pat Harrington Mark Watson Patrick Diotte Iain Fraser Nick De Santis Mauro Biello Alex Bunbury Lyndon Hooper Christian Gourcuff Grant Needham...
in the Canadian Soccer League. In 1990, after having spent most of September and the first half of October on trial with the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
of the 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...
, Rizi signed with the team on October 13, 1990. He was a regular with the Crunch during the 1990-1991 season and on July 31, 1991, the San Diego Sockers made him a contract offer. The Crunch met the offer a week later and Rizi remained in Cleveland for the 1991-1992 season. He lost eight games at the start of the season with a groin injury, then underwent arthroscopic surgery in February 1992 for torn cartilage in his left knee. He lost several weeks before returning to play only to break a bone in his left foot at the start of the play offs. He returned to the Supra for the 1992 CSL season, but the team and the league collapsed at the end of the season.
In February 1993, Rizi signed with the Detroit Rockers
Detroit Rockers
The Detroit Rockers were an indoor soccer team in the National Professional Soccer League from 1990 to 2001. They played in Joe Louis Arena and Cobo Arena in downtown Detroit, Michigan as well as The Palace of Auburn Hills and Compuware Sports Arena in the suburbs...
of the National Professional Soccer League. On April 3, 1993, he joined the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
. He would play both the 1993 and 1994 APSL seasons in Montreal, scoring once in 24 games in 1993 and twice in 1994. In 1994, the Impact won the APSL championship. In the fall of 1993, he signed with the Canton Invaders
Canton Invaders
The Canton Invaders was an indoor soccer club based in Canton, Ohio that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Columbus Invaders.- Canton Invaders :...
. On February 27, 1994, the Chicago Power
Chicago Power
The Chicago Power were an indoor soccer club based in Chicago, Illinois that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association and National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Edmonton Drillers.-Year-by-year:...
acquired Rizi from the Invaders in exchange for "future considerations". Rizi returned to the Invaders for the start of the 1994-1995 NPSL season.
On February 16, 1995, he moved to the Buffalo Blizzard
Buffalo Blizzard
The Buffalo Blizzard was an indoor soccer team based in Buffalo, New York. The team was a member of the now defunct NPSL from 1992 to 2001. From 1992-1996, the team played at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, and they moved to HSBC Arena in 1996 where they played until 2001.The team was originally...
. In May 1995, he signed with the Seattle Sounders of the A-League. Rizi and his team mates would win the league championship. He returned to the Blizzard for the 1995-1996 NPSL season, but broke his leg in the season opener and lost the remainder of the season. In 1996, he played for the Rochester Rhinos in the A-League. On May 3, 1997, he signed with the New York / New Jersey MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
, coming on to play 33 minutes as a substitute in one game. Rizi retired in 1998. On October 25, 2000, Rizi signed with the Houston Hotshots
Houston Hotshots
The Houston Hotshots were a professional indoor soccer team in Houston, Texas. They played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1994 to 1997, and moved to the World Indoor Soccer League in 1999 after the CISL folded...
of the World Indoor Soccer League
World Indoor Soccer League
The World Indoor Soccer League was a United States based indoor soccer league that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.-History:...
. In October 2001, he signed with the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
.
International career
He had played for the National Youth side under Tony TaylorTony Taylor (footballer)
Tony Taylor is a former professional footballer.Taylor played left back in 195 league games for Crystal Palace between 1968 and 1974, scoring 8 goals. He also played for Kilmarnock, Celtic, Morton, Southend United , Bristol Rovers, Portsmouth, and Northampton Town...
in the 1980s andRizi played two games at the 1987 Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
. At the time, he was a member of the Canada U-20 men's national soccer team
Canada U-20 men's national soccer team
Canada U-20 men's national soccer team, also known as Canada Under-20s or Canada U-20s, is the youth club for national soccer in Canada. It plays a large role in the development of Canadian soccer, and is considered to be the feeder team for the Canada men's national soccer team...
with which he earned 11 caps, including two at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Chile from October 10 to October 25, 1987. The 1987 championship was the 6th contested and won for the first time by Yugoslavia. Remarkably, in the course of the tournament the Yugoslavs defeated each of the three other semi-finalists, and...
.
He made his senior debut for Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
in a September 1992 friendly match against the USA
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
and went on to earn a total of 12 caps, scoring no goals. He has represented Canada in 2 FIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
The FIFA World Cup qualification is the process that a national association football team goes through to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals. The FIFA World Cup is a global event, so qualification is required to reduce the large field of participants from about 200 to 32.Qualifying tournaments...
matches. His final international was an August 1995 Caribana Cup match against Jamaica
Jamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
.
Rizi is currently soccer coach with Fairview High School
Fairview High School (Fairview Park, Ohio)
Fairview High School is a public high school located at 4507 West 213th Street in Fairview Park, Ohio, located just west of Cleveland, Ohio.The school's colors are scarlet and gray. The athletic teams are known as the Warriors. The school fight song is "Buckeye"...
in Fairview Park, Ohio
Fairview Park, Ohio
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 420,690 people, 7,856 households, and 4,713 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,742.2 people per square mile . There were 8,152 housing units at an average density of 1,736.1 per square mile...
.
External links
- Player profile - CanadaSoccer
- Career stats - National Football Teams
- http://www.nasljerseys.com/MISL/Players/R/Rizi.Marco.htm - MISL stats