Andrew Olivieri
Encyclopedia
Andrew Olivieri is a retired Canadian
soccer player who played professionally as a goalkeeper for the Montreal Impact
and Trois-Rivières Attak
. He also played for Canada
internationally at many levels. He has since become a full time coach and serves on various technical staffs on a Provincial, National and International level in his native country.
As of 2011, he is married to Marisa Fundaro.
with Southern Connecticut State University
, where he was a four year starter and named into the conference and region all-star teams each year. His freshman year was the most memorable as he led SCSU to an NCAA National Championship and only the second ever perfect season recorded in NCAA history with a 20-0-0 record. To go with their 20 wins, Olivieri recorded 15 shutouts and led the nation with the best goals against average (0.25). His four year total was an impressive 45 shut-outs in 73 games.
of the PDL
, with Vermont he won the PDL New England conference in 2002 and 2003.
of the USL First Division
. With two goalkeepers already under contract, Olivieri signed an amateur contract which allowed him to serve as the 3rd goalkeeper while also starting between the pipes for the Vermont Voltage of the PDL for one last season. With the Impact he won the regular-season title from 2003 to 2005, and the League Championship in 2004, and the Voyageurs Cup
from 2003 to 2005. But mostly played as a back-up for Greg Sutton
, which led him to sign with the Laval Dynamites
of the Canadian Soccer League
, where helped Laval reach the playoffs but were eliminated by Toronto Croatia
by a score of 1-0.
of the 2007 CSL season. He made his debut on May 3 against Toronto Croatia
, where the game resulted in a 0-0 tie. But unfortunately Oliveri sustained a leg injury and was forced to miss out the remainder of the season. Where as the Attak claimed their first piece of silverware winning the Open Canada Cup
and finishing runners-up in the National Division.
On April 24, 2008 Olivieri renewed his contract with the Attak. After fully recovering from his injury Olivieri played a career high season where he helped the Attak win the National Division, and allowed the fewest goals with only 12 goals conceded in 22 games. In the playoff run he recorded two shutouts in the quarter and semi-final games against St. Catharines Wolves
and Portugal FC
. On October 26 during the on-field ceremony before the CSL Final game against Serbian White Eagles
, Olivieri was awarded the Goalkeeper of the Year award. But unfortunately the Attak were yet again defeated by the White Eagles where the game resulted in a 2-2 tie thanks to some notable heroics by Olivieri, but after extra time the game went into penalty kicks. During the kicks Olivieri saved three shots and even scored a goal, but teammate Davy Uwimana
missed the final kick which resulted in 2-1 defeat on Penalty kicks.
Although Canada did not secure a spot in the 2004 Olympic games, Olivieri shined in the final round of qualifying and was honored on the tournament all-star team. His performances earned him a call-up to the senior team earlier that year for an international friendly in Barbados where Canada won 1-0.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
soccer player who played professionally as a goalkeeper for 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...
and Trois-Rivières Attak
Trois-Rivières Attak
Trois-Rivières Attak FC is a Canadian soccer team, taking a sabbatical year from the Canadian Soccer League. They formally served as a reserve/academy team for the USL First Division side Montreal Impact until 2010, when Montreal Impact founded their own academy...
. He also played for Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
internationally at many levels. He has since become a full time coach and serves on various technical staffs on a Provincial, National and International level in his native country.
As of 2011, he is married to Marisa Fundaro.
Playing career
Olivieri began playing amateur soccer with his home town of Montreal-North from 1987 to 1995. At which point he took his talent to Jean-Talon Rosemont, where he played from 1995 to 1999. During that period, he was a member of the Quebec teams. During his time with Jean-Talon Rosemont he was named into the all-star team from 1996 to 1999 and was named the goalkeeper of the year in 1996 and 1998. He won numerous Canadian championships with the Quebec teams and conceded only 2 goals in five consecutive years of national championships from 1995 to 1999Southern Connecticut Fighting Owls
From 1999 he went on to play college soccerCollege soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
with Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut...
, where he was a four year starter and named into the conference and region all-star teams each year. His freshman year was the most memorable as he led SCSU to an NCAA National Championship and only the second ever perfect season recorded in NCAA history with a 20-0-0 record. To go with their 20 wins, Olivieri recorded 15 shutouts and led the nation with the best goals against average (0.25). His four year total was an impressive 45 shut-outs in 73 games.
Vermont Voltage
Between 2001 until 2003 he played for the Vermont VoltageVermont Voltage
Vermont Voltage is an American soccer team based in St. Albans, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference, having spent the 2009 season on...
of the PDL
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, with Vermont he won the PDL New England conference in 2002 and 2003.
Montreal Impact
In 2003 he was the first overall draft pick of the Montreal ImpactMontreal 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 USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
. With two goalkeepers already under contract, Olivieri signed an amateur contract which allowed him to serve as the 3rd goalkeeper while also starting between the pipes for the Vermont Voltage of the PDL for one last season. With the Impact he won the regular-season title from 2003 to 2005, and the League Championship in 2004, and the Voyageurs Cup
Voyageurs Cup
The Voyageurs Cup is the only trophy for top-level professional soccer in Canada. From 2002 to 2007, the cup was awarded annually to the Canadian team finishing with the best record in the USL First Division, from regular season matches against other Canadian teams in the league, and from 2008 the...
from 2003 to 2005. But mostly played as a back-up for Greg Sutton
Greg Sutton (soccer)
Greg Sutton is a Canadian soccer player who most recently played for Montreal Impact in the North American Soccer League...
, which led him to sign with the Laval Dynamites
Laval Dynamites
Laval Dynamites were a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1997. The men team was a member of the Canadian Professional Soccer League/Canadian Soccer League, the highest professional soccer league in Canada, and played in the National Division. The team played as the Montreal Dynamites in 2001 and...
of the Canadian Soccer League
Canadian Soccer League (current)
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
, where helped Laval reach the playoffs but were eliminated by Toronto Croatia
Toronto Croatia
C.N.S.C. Toronto Croatia is a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1956. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, the highest level soccer league in Canada, and play in the International Division....
by a score of 1-0.
Trois-Rivières Attak
As his contract expired with the Impact, Olivieri signed with newly expansion team the Trois-Rivières AttakTrois-Rivières Attak
Trois-Rivières Attak FC is a Canadian soccer team, taking a sabbatical year from the Canadian Soccer League. They formally served as a reserve/academy team for the USL First Division side Montreal Impact until 2010, when Montreal Impact founded their own academy...
of the 2007 CSL season. He made his debut on May 3 against Toronto Croatia
Toronto Croatia
C.N.S.C. Toronto Croatia is a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1956. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, the highest level soccer league in Canada, and play in the International Division....
, where the game resulted in a 0-0 tie. But unfortunately Oliveri sustained a leg injury and was forced to miss out the remainder of the season. Where as the Attak claimed their first piece of silverware winning the Open Canada Cup
Open Canada Cup
The Open Canada Cup was a Canadian soccer competition, similar in concept to tournaments such as the English FA Cup, the Coppa Italia, and the US Open Cup. The competition was held starting with the CSL's first season in 1998 until 2007....
and finishing runners-up in the National Division.
On April 24, 2008 Olivieri renewed his contract with the Attak. After fully recovering from his injury Olivieri played a career high season where he helped the Attak win the National Division, and allowed the fewest goals with only 12 goals conceded in 22 games. In the playoff run he recorded two shutouts in the quarter and semi-final games against St. Catharines Wolves
St. Catharines Wolves
St. Catharines Wolves, also known as St. Catharines Roma Wolves or simply Roma Wolves, are a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1977. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League.- History :...
and Portugal FC
Portugal FC
SC Toronto is a Canadian soccer team, founded in 2001. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, the third tier of the Canadian soccer pyramid and the largest domestic professional soccer league in Canada...
. On October 26 during the on-field ceremony before the CSL Final game against Serbian White Eagles
Serbian White Eagles
Serbian White Eagles Football Club is a Canadian soccer team. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League....
, Olivieri was awarded the Goalkeeper of the Year award. But unfortunately the Attak were yet again defeated by the White Eagles where the game resulted in a 2-2 tie thanks to some notable heroics by Olivieri, but after extra time the game went into penalty kicks. During the kicks Olivieri saved three shots and even scored a goal, but teammate Davy Uwimana
Davy Uwimana
Davy Uwimana is a Canadian former professional soccer player who last played for the Trois-Rivières Attak. He was born in Bujumbura, Burundi.- Career :He began his career by FC Select Rive-Sud and joined than in 2007 to Trois-Rivières Attak...
missed the final kick which resulted in 2-1 defeat on Penalty kicks.
Canadian National Team
Between September 2003 and March 2004, he enjoyed his best moments with the Canadian National Team while taking part in Olympic Qualifying for the Athens games. As Canada's first choice goalkeeper, he helped the canucks through the preliminary rounds, beating the US Virgin Islands and El Salvador in a home and away series. The ladder requiring an exciting return leg where Canada won 1-0 to tie the aggregate score and then secured a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico through a shootout.Although Canada did not secure a spot in the 2004 Olympic games, Olivieri shined in the final round of qualifying and was honored on the tournament all-star team. His performances earned him a call-up to the senior team earlier that year for an international friendly in Barbados where Canada won 1-0.