Poli Garcia
Encyclopedia
Jose “Poli” Garcia is a former U.S. soccer player. He spent at least four seasons in the American Soccer League
, three in the North American Soccer League
and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League
. He was the 1979 American Soccer League
MVP and earned two caps with the United States
in 1975.
of the American Soccer League
in 1977. In 1979, he and team mate Joey Fink
tied for the league lead in goal scoring with fifteen apiece. Garcia also garnered league MVP and first team All Star recognition. In 1980, he moved from the Sunshine to the Los Angeles Aztecs
of the North American Soccer League
(NASL). After the Aztecs folded following the 1981 season, Garcia moved to the Jacksonville Tea Men
for the 1982 NASL season. The Tea Men left the NASL and joined the ASL following and Garcia remained with the team through at least the 1983 ASL season. Garcia began his indoor career with the Cleveland Crunch
of Major Indoor Soccer League
in 1981. After one season, he moved to the Los Angeles Lazers
in 1982. On February 27, 1987, the Lazers traded Garcia and Jim Kavanaugh to the St. Louis Steamers
for Don Ebert
and Steve Pecher
. Despite coming to the Steamers after the start of the season, he still led the team in scoring with 50 goals. When the Steamers folded, Garcia became a free agent and signed with the San Diego Sockers on September 14, 1988. He began the season with the Sockers, but was traded to the Lazers in exchange for Waad Hirmez
on February 3, 1989. When the Lazers folded at the end of the season, the St. Louis Storm
selected Garcia in the MISL dispersal draft, but did not sign him.
in August 1975 at the Mexico City Cup. His first game was a 6-0 loss to Argentina
on August 21. His second was a 2-0 loss to Mexico
on August 24, 1975. In the second game, he replaced Hank Liotart
in the 71st minute.
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, three 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 four 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...
. He was the 1979 American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
MVP and earned two caps with the United States
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 1975.
Professional
Born in San Diego, Garcia spent most of his youth in Mexico City, Mexico. His family returned to California when he was fifteen. Garcia signed with the expansion California SunshineCalifornia Sunshine (soccer)
The California Sunshine was an American soccer club based in Fountain Valley, California that was a member of the American Soccer League. The team was owned by Dr. Robert Everakes and his wife Alexandra, who was the general manager...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
in 1977. In 1979, he and team mate Joey Fink
Joey Fink
Joey Fink is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent six seasons in the North American Soccer League, two in the American Soccer League and seven in Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned six caps with the U.S. national team between 1973 and 1975.-Youth and college:Fink played youth soccer...
tied for the league lead in goal scoring with fifteen apiece. Garcia also garnered league MVP and first team All Star recognition. In 1980, he moved from the Sunshine to the Los Angeles Aztecs
Los Angeles Aztecs
The Los Angeles Aztecs were a soccer team that competed in the North American Soccer League from 1974-81. The team was based in Los Angeles, California and part-owned by Elton John.-History:...
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:...
(NASL). After the Aztecs folded following the 1981 season, Garcia moved to the Jacksonville Tea Men
Jacksonville Tea Men
The Jacksonville Tea Men were an American soccer team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. Overall, the Tea Men played a total of four seasons in Jacksonville, first in the major league-level North American Soccer League from 1980–1982, then in the lower level American Soccer League and United...
for the 1982 NASL season. The Tea Men left the NASL and joined the ASL following and Garcia remained with the team through at least the 1983 ASL season. Garcia began his indoor career with the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
of 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...
in 1981. After one season, he moved to 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...
in 1982. On February 27, 1987, the Lazers traded Garcia and Jim Kavanaugh to the St. Louis Steamers
St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
for Don Ebert
Don Ebert
Don Ebert is a retired U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career with two indoor clubs, the St. Louis Steamers and the Los Angeles Lazers.-Youth:Ebert attended Rosary High School Missouri...
and Steve Pecher
Steve Pecher
Steve Pecher is a retired U.S. soccer defender who is currently the Director of the St. Louis/Busch Soccer Club.-Youth and college:...
. Despite coming to the Steamers after the start of the season, he still led the team in scoring with 50 goals. When the Steamers folded, Garcia became a free agent and signed with the San Diego Sockers on September 14, 1988. He began the season with the Sockers, but was traded to the Lazers in exchange for Waad Hirmez
Waad Hirmez
Waad Hirmez is a retired Iraqi-American football player who spent most of his professional career in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League....
on February 3, 1989. When the Lazers folded at the end of the season, 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...
selected Garcia in the MISL dispersal draft, but did not sign him.
National team
Garcia earned two caps with the United StatesUnited 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 August 1975 at the Mexico City Cup. His first game was a 6-0 loss to Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
on August 21. His second was a 2-0 loss to Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
on August 24, 1975. In the second game, he replaced Hank Liotart
Hank Liotart
Hank Liotart is a Dutch-American former soccer player. Liotart played one season in the National Professional Soccer League, eight in the North American Soccer League and at least one in Major Indoor Soccer League. He also played eight years in the Netherlands. Finally, Liotart earned four caps...
in the 71st minute.