Gino Gardassanich
Encyclopedia
Gino Gardassanich (November 26, 1922 – February 12, 2010) was an Italian American
soccer goalkeeper
who was a member of the United States team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup
. He was born in Fiume, Free State of Fiume
and died in Illinois
, United States
.
, settling in Chicago
. When he arrived, he changed his name to Gino Gard and joined Chicago Slovak of the National Soccer League of Chicago
. He played with Slovak until 1959. During that time, Gard and his team mates won multiple titles, including the league title in 1951, 1952 and 1954; and the 1951 Peel Cup
. In 1953, it lost the National Amateur Cup
final to Ponta Delgada S.C.
Gard was named the NSLC goalkeeper of the year in 1950.
. He was the original choice as the starting goalkeeper, but never entered a game.
Gard was inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame in 1992 and the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 2002.
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
soccer goalkeeper
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 was a member of the United States team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
. He was born in Fiume, Free State of Fiume
Free State of Fiume
The Free State of Fiume was an independent free state which existed between 1920 and 1924. Its territory of comprised the city of Fiume and rural areas to its north, with a corridor to its west connecting it to Italy.-History:Fiume gained autonomy for the first time in 1719 when it was proclaimed...
and died in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Club career
Gardassanich began his career with Fiumana and Reggina. After World War II, he played with NK Kvarner in the 1946–47 Yugoslav First League. In 1949, he moved to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, settling in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. When he arrived, he changed his name to Gino Gard and joined Chicago Slovak of the National Soccer League of Chicago
National Soccer League of Chicago
The National Soccer League of Chicago, formed by the merger of the Chicago Soccer League and International Soccer Football League of Chicago in 1928, is a semi-professional U.S...
. He played with Slovak until 1959. During that time, Gard and his team mates won multiple titles, including the league title in 1951, 1952 and 1954; and the 1951 Peel Cup
Peel Cup
The Peter J. Peel Challenge Cup, better known as the Peel Cup, was an open soccer competition that crowned the Illinois state champion until it was replaced by the Illinois Governor’s Cup in 1970.-Origins:...
. In 1953, it lost the National Amateur Cup
National Amateur Cup
The National Amateur Cup is an American soccer competition open to all amateur teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation...
final to Ponta Delgada S.C.
Ponta Delgada S.C.
Ponta Delgada Soccer Club, also referred to as Fall River Ponta Delgada, was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. The club was formed by members of the city’s Portuguese community and shared its name with Ponta Delgada, the capital city of the Azores, an autonomous...
Gard was named the NSLC goalkeeper of the year in 1950.
National team
Gard was selected to the U.S. roster for the 1950 FIFA World Cup1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
. He was the original choice as the starting goalkeeper, but never entered a game.
Gard was inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame in 1992 and the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 2002.