George Taratsides
Encyclopedia
George Taratsides is a retired Greek-American soccer goalkeeper
who played professionally in the North American Soccer League
, American Soccer League
and Major Indoor Soccer League
.
Taratsides attended the University of Maryland
where he played on the men's soccer team from 1970 to 1973. In 1971, he spent the season at forward, leading the team with ten goals. He then played the 1972 and 1973 season in goal. He was a 1972 Second Team and a 1973 Honorable Mention (third team) All American. In 1974, he turned professional with the Washington Diplomats
of the North American Soccer League
. In 1981, he played for New York United in the American Soccer League
. He was a first team All Star that season. IN 1982, he moved to the Pennsylvania Stoners
. He continued to play for the Stoners through the 1983 season. He also played one season, 1982–1983, with the Pittsburgh Spirit
of Major Indoor Soccer League
.
He was inducted into the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997.
George graduated from Howard University and has been a physical therapist and certified athletic trainer for the past 20 years practicing in Baltimore, Maryland.
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 played professionally 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:...
, 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...
and 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...
.
Taratsides attended the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
where he played on the men's soccer team from 1970 to 1973. In 1971, he spent the season at forward, leading the team with ten goals. He then played the 1972 and 1973 season in goal. He was a 1972 Second Team and a 1973 Honorable Mention (third team) All American. In 1974, he turned professional with the Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
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 1981, he played for New York United in 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...
. He was a first team All Star that season. IN 1982, he moved to the Pennsylvania Stoners
Pennsylvania Stoners
Pennsylvania Stoners is an American soccer team based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Eastern Keystone Division.The team plays its home...
. He continued to play for the Stoners through the 1983 season. He also played one season, 1982–1983, with the Pittsburgh Spirit
Pittsburgh Spirit
Pittsburgh Spirit were an indoor soccer team based out of Pittsburgh and were one of the original six teams that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
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...
.
He was inducted into the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997.
George graduated from Howard University and has been a physical therapist and certified athletic trainer for the past 20 years practicing in Baltimore, Maryland.