Koulis Apostolidis
Encyclopedia
Kyriakos "Koulis" or “Kirk” Apostolidis is a former Greek
footballer. He began his career in the North American Soccer League
and finished it with PAOK Thessaloniki FC
in Greece. Apostolidis lead the NASL in goals in 1971 and later earned six caps
with the Greek national team
. He has also coached in the Greek First Division, most recently with PAOK Thessaloniki FC.
where he played on men’s soccer team from 1964 to 1967. His senior year, he was selected as a first team All American
.
of the North American Soccer League
. The Royals folded at the end of the season and Apostolidis moved to the Dallas Tornado
. In 1969, he played as a defender, earning first team All NASL recognition. In 1970, he moved to the front line. The move paid off immediately for the Tornado as Apostolidis led the league in scoring, tying with Carlos Metidieri
for the points lead. He was selected as a 1970 second team All NASL. In 1971, he finished fourth in the league in goals, but left the NASL at the end of the season to return to Greece. Apostolidis signed with PAOK Thessaloniki FC
of the Greek First Division.
with the Greek national team
between 1972 and 1976. His first game was a 5-0 loss to the Netherlands
on 16 February 1972. His last was a 1-0 win over Poland
on 6 May 1976. In that game, he came on for Maik Galakos in the 63rd minute.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
footballer. He began his career 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 finished it with PAOK Thessaloniki FC
PAOK FC
P.A.O.K. F.C. is a Greek association football club based in Thessaloniki, Greece. It is the largest supported football club in Macedonia.PAOK FC is the football department of Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans , a multi-sport club. Since its formation in 1926 the football club...
in Greece. Apostolidis lead the NASL in goals in 1971 and later earned six caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
with the Greek national team
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
. He has also coached in the Greek First Division, most recently with PAOK Thessaloniki FC.
Youth and college
Apostolidis attended University of San FranciscoUniversity of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
where he played on men’s soccer team from 1964 to 1967. His senior year, he was selected as a first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
.
Professional
In 1968, Apostolidis signed with the Vancouver RoyalsVancouver Royals
Vancouver Royal Canadians were an association football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that played in the United Soccer Association. The league was made up of teams imported from foreign leagues. The Vancouver club was actually Sunderland A.F.C...
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:...
. The Royals folded at the end of the season and Apostolidis moved to the Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
. In 1969, he played as a defender, earning first team All NASL recognition. In 1970, he moved to the front line. The move paid off immediately for the Tornado as Apostolidis led the league in scoring, tying with Carlos Metidieri
Carlos Metidieri
Jose Carlos Metidieri is a retired Brazilian-American soccer forward. He played professionally in Canada and the United States where he was the leading scorer of the North American Soccer League in 1970 and 1971 and named the league's Most Valuable Player - the only player in the league's history...
for the points lead. He was selected as a 1970 second team All NASL. In 1971, he finished fourth in the league in goals, but left the NASL at the end of the season to return to Greece. Apostolidis signed with PAOK Thessaloniki FC
PAOK FC
P.A.O.K. F.C. is a Greek association football club based in Thessaloniki, Greece. It is the largest supported football club in Macedonia.PAOK FC is the football department of Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans , a multi-sport club. Since its formation in 1926 the football club...
of the Greek First Division.
National team
Apostolidis earned six capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
with the Greek national team
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
between 1972 and 1976. His first game was a 5-0 loss to the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
on 16 February 1972. His last was a 1-0 win over Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
on 6 May 1976. In that game, he came on for Maik Galakos in the 63rd minute.