George Simcich


George Simcich was a Canadian soccer player who later served as General Manager of Toronto Metros-Croatia of the North [American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]. He was also a member of the Canada men's national [soccer team|Canadian national] soccer team.

Club career

George Simcich began his soccer journey with Torpedo before moving up to NK Rijeka, which was in the Yugoslav First League, the country’s top division in 1963. He carried that experience with him when he immigrated to Toronto in 1964 where he joined Toronto Croatia in the National League Ontario. He briefly played for Croatia SC Vancouver in the Pacific Coast League. He played for a winter season at Croatia Club in the Greater Los Angeles Soccer League in 1970. He was selected as a league All-Star in 1968, 1969 and 1971 and his team was the winner of the Canada Cup in 1971 and 1972. He later returned to Toronto, finishing his playing career in 1973 with the Toronto Metros of the NASL.

National team

Simcich represented Canada in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in 1972, although he was recovering from a hamstring injury and did not feature in an official match. He made one international appearance on 2 September 1972 in an exhibition match against a Guatemalan club.

General Manager

Simcich served as Metros-Croatia manager from 1975 through 1977, helping the club win Soccer Bowl '76 to claim their first North American championship. He left Metros-Croatia before the 1978 season.