Jim Gorsek
Encyclopedia
James “Jim” or “Jimmy” Gorsek (born October 12, 1955 in Portland, Oregon
) is a former U.S. soccer goalkeeper
. He spent seven seasons in the North American Soccer League
, seven seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League
and two in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
. He also earned two caps with the U.S. national team
in 1985.
of the North American Soccer League
in 1977 as a striker replacement player. He played three games that season, none in 1978 and only one in 1979. In 1980, he saw time in twelve games, but was traded to the San Diego Sockers. In 1981, he played two games, but is not listed on the team’s roster for 1982. In 1983, he played in six games, but during the 1983-1984 NASL Indoor season, Gorsek was the league’s leading goalie as the Sockers won the title. He then played fifteen games during the 1984 outdoor season. The NASL folded at the end of the 1984 season and the Sockers jumped to the Major Indoor Soccer League
. Gorsek played the next four MISL seasons with the Sockers as the team won three MISL championships. In 1988, he joined the Los Angeles Lazers
for the 1988-1989 MISL season, but the team folded at the end of the season and Gorsek moved to the Kansas City Comets
for the 1989-1990 season. However, there are no records for where Gorsek was during the 1990-1991 season. He was with the St. Louis Storm
for the 1991-1992 season. In 1993, Gorsek returned to Portland to play two seasons with the Portland Pride
of the Continental Indoor Soccer League
(CISL).
as a substitute for Arnie Mausser
in a 2-0 loss to Canada
on April 2, 1985. His second cap came two days later as the U.S. tied Canada. In this game, Gorsek started and Mausser replaced him at half time.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
) is a former U.S. 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...
. He spent seven seasons 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:...
, seven seasons in 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...
and two in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
. He also earned two caps with the U.S. national team
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...
in 1985.
Professional
Gorsek signed with the Portland TimbersPortland Timbers (NASL)
The Portland Timbers were a team in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two other soccer franchises: the Timbers of the WSA/APSL, Portland Timbers of the USL and the current team which began play as part of Major League Soccer in 2011.-History:In January...
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 1977 as a striker replacement player. He played three games that season, none in 1978 and only one in 1979. In 1980, he saw time in twelve games, but was traded to the San Diego Sockers. In 1981, he played two games, but is not listed on the team’s roster for 1982. In 1983, he played in six games, but during the 1983-1984 NASL Indoor season, Gorsek was the league’s leading goalie as the Sockers won the title. He then played fifteen games during the 1984 outdoor season. The NASL folded at the end of the 1984 season and the Sockers jumped to 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...
. Gorsek played the next four MISL seasons with the Sockers as the team won three MISL championships. In 1988, he joined the Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers were a soccer team based out of Los Angeles that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1982 to 1989.-History:Major Indoor Soccer League awarded a Los Angeles franchise to Jerry Buss on June 24, 1982. Buss had purchased the Philadelphia Fever and wanted to move it to...
for the 1988-1989 MISL season, but the team folded at the end of the season and Gorsek moved to the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
for the 1989-1990 season. However, there are no records for where Gorsek was during the 1990-1991 season. He was with the St. Louis Storm
St. Louis Storm
The St. Louis Storm were a soccer team based out of St. Louis that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They played from 1989 to 1992. Their home arena was St...
for the 1991-1992 season. In 1993, Gorsek returned to Portland to play two seasons with the Portland Pride
Portland Pride
The Portland Pride are a defunct indoor soccer team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1993 to 1997.-History:In 1993, a new league, the Continental Indoor Soccer League began its first season. Traditionally, indoor soccer has been a winter sport, but the CISL decided to...
of the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
(CISL).
National team
Gorsek earned his first cap with the U.S. national teamUnited 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...
as a substitute for Arnie Mausser
Arnie Mausser
Arnold "Arnie" Mausser is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played with 8 different NASL teams from 1975-1984. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
in a 2-0 loss to 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...
on April 2, 1985. His second cap came two days later as the U.S. tied Canada. In this game, Gorsek started and Mausser replaced him at half time.