Gerardo Laterza
Encyclopedia
Gerardo "Jerry" Laterza is a retired Paraguay
an soccer player who is also an American citizen. He is the technical director of Legends FC
.
Laterza graduated from Walnut High School
where he was the 1990 and 1992 California Interscholastic Federation
1-A Player of the Year. Laterza attended Southern Methodist University
, playing on the men's soccer team in 1992. On April 3 1993, Laterza signed with the Los Angeles Salsa
of the American Professional Soccer League
. In 1997, Laterza began the season with the Orange County Zodiac. In July 1997, the Los Angeles Galaxy
of Major League Soccer
signed Laterza. He played four games for the Galaxy in 1997, plus one game on loan to the Carolina Dynamo
. The Galaxy released him on April 1, 1998 during a pre-season roster reduction. On April 10, 1998, Laterza signed with the Seattle Sounders of the USL A-League. He played two games, then was released on April 22. He then played for several clubs, including South China AA, and various teams in Hong Kong
, China
and Paraguay. While in Hong Kong, he was selected to play for Hong Kong League XI
, featuring in one of the matches against the national team of his native Paraguay
.
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
an soccer player who is also an American citizen. He is the technical director of Legends FC
Legends FC
Legends FC is an American amateur soccer team based in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1992, the team plays in Region III of the United States Adult Soccer Association, a network of amateur leagues at the fifth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
.
Laterza graduated from Walnut High School
Walnut High School
Walnut High School is located in Walnut, California, among the San Jose Hills of the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California. It is a public school in the Walnut Valley Unified School District. The school is a two-time National Blue Ribbon school and five-time California Distinguished school...
where he was the 1990 and 1992 California Interscholastic Federation
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
1-A Player of the Year. Laterza attended Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, playing on the men's soccer team in 1992. On April 3 1993, Laterza signed with the Los Angeles Salsa
Los Angeles Salsa
The Los Angeles Salsa was an American Professional Soccer League franchise. The club played on the campus of California State University, Fullerton at Titan Stadium in a suburb of Orange County, California...
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...
. In 1997, Laterza began the season with the Orange County Zodiac. In July 1997, the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, 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, and the league's second...
of 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...
signed Laterza. He played four games for the Galaxy in 1997, plus one game on loan to the Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
. The Galaxy released him on April 1, 1998 during a pre-season roster reduction. On April 10, 1998, Laterza signed with the Seattle Sounders of the USL A-League. He played two games, then was released on April 22. He then played for several clubs, including South China AA, and various teams in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Paraguay. While in Hong Kong, he was selected to play for Hong Kong League XI
Hong Kong League XI
Hong Kong League XI, or known as Hong Kong XI or Hong Kong League Selection, is a football team which represents the Hong Kong First Division League in exhibitional matches, mainly the Lunar New Year Cup....
, featuring in one of the matches against the national team of his native Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
.