Val Tuska
Encyclopedia
Veljko Tukša is a retired Yugoslavian football (soccer)
player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League
and Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1982 MISL Defender of the Year.
In 1979, Tuksa played for Toronto Metros-Croatia of the North American Soccer League
. In 1980 and 1981, he played for the Rochester Lancers
in the NASL. In 1978, he signed with the New York Arrows
of the Major Indoor Soccer League where he would play every winter indoor season until 1984. He was the 1982 MISL Defender of the Year. In 1984, he moved to the Las Vegas Americans
. When the Americans folded at the end of the season, the head coach Don Popovic
moved to the Pittsburgh Spirit
where he signed Tuksa. The Spirit folded at the end of the 1985-1986 season. In November 1986, the Tacoma Stars signed Tuksa. On December 5, 1987, the Stars released Tuksa. The team signed him at a reduced salary in January 1988, but he saw time in only eighteen games before being released.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who played professionally 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:...
and Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1982 MISL Defender of the Year.
In 1979, Tuksa played for Toronto Metros-Croatia of 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:...
. In 1980 and 1981, he played for the Rochester Lancers
Rochester Lancers
The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based in Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium...
in the NASL. In 1978, he signed with the New York Arrows
New York Arrows
The New York Arrows was an indoor soccer team that played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1978 to 1984. They won the first four MISL championships.-Preparing for the first season:...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League where he would play every winter indoor season until 1984. He was the 1982 MISL Defender of the Year. In 1984, he moved to the Las Vegas Americans
Las Vegas Americans
The Las Vegas Americans were a soccer team based out of Las Vegas that played in the Major Soccer League. They played only one season, 1984 and lost in the first round of the championship that year. The Americans finished their only season in the league with a 30-18 record earning them second place...
. When the Americans folded at the end of the season, the head coach Don Popovic
Don Popovic
Dragan "Don" Popovic is a retired professional soccer midfielder and current coach in the United States. He played professionally in Yugoslavia, Canada and the North American Soccer League...
moved to the Pittsburgh Spirit
Pittsburgh Spirit
Pittsburgh Spirit were an indoor soccer team based out of Pittsburgh and were one of the original six teams that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
where he signed Tuksa. The Spirit folded at the end of the 1985-1986 season. In November 1986, the Tacoma Stars signed Tuksa. On December 5, 1987, the Stars released Tuksa. The team signed him at a reduced salary in January 1988, but he saw time in only eighteen games before being released.
Yearly Awards
- MISL Defender of the Year 1981-82
- MISL All-Star Team 1981-82, 1982–83