Plymouth Herald: Corazzin became cult Argyle hero

[sstackho]

Corazzin became cult Argyle hero

532 words

9 December 2006

Evening Herald

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54

English

© 2006 Evening Herald

With 60 international caps for Canada, today's featured former Plymouth Argyle player was born on Christmas Day, 1971 in Vancouver, but moved to Italy at the age of 16.

With three years' experience in Serie B, Carlo Corazzin signed for Winnipeg Fury after representing his country at the Olympic Games.

Winning a Canadian Soccer League championship medal in the final year of the competition before it was disbanded, success came in dramatic circumstances - succeeding in the replay of the league play-off final over Vancouver 86ers.

Corazzin then joined the 86ers in August 1992, spending one season with the club and helping them to runners-up spot in the American Professional Soccer League.

Supplementing his income by working part-time for his father's building business, Corazzin decided to try his luck in England.

A three-week trial with Stoke City, making appearances for the reserves side, was followed by him signing for Cambridge United.

Two days later, Corazzin made his debut in a goalless draw against Stockport County.

The 1994/95 season was memorable as he was the club's leading scorer with 19 goals and became the first player in Cambridge United history to win a full international cap, playing in a friendly against Mexico.

Scoring 39 goals in his 105 appearances drew the attention of then Argyle boss Neil Warnock, who signed him for £100,000 on transfer deadline day on March 28, 1996.

He made his debut in the then Third Division match with Mansfield Town, coming on as a substitute with five minutes remaining.

Almost immediately, he was fouled in the penalty area and duly converted the resulting spot-kick.

There was the disappointment of being a non-playing substitute in Argyle's Wembley appearance, but joy of being the recipient of the Player of the Year trophy two years later following his final game for the club, sharing the accolade with Martin Barlow.

Corazzin scored 23 league goals in 61 starts and 13 substitute appearances before spells with Northampton Town and Oldham Athletic.

As was the case during his time in Plymouth, he regularly travelled the world for international duty, and during his time with The Cobblers was a pivotal member of the Canadian squad that reached the final of The Gold Cup in February 2000.

Progressing through the group stages, Canada defeated Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago to reach the final, where Columbia provided the opposition.

Played in Los Angeles, Corazzin scored a penalty in the 2-0 victory to confirm his status as the tournament's top scorer.

He returned to Canada in May, 2003 to sign for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American 'A' League, where he almost lifted more silverware.

In his first full season, the Whitecaps lost 2-1 to Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference final.

In September, 2004, he was appointed head coach of the Whitecaps youth development programme, only leaving the position earlier this year to concentrate on business commitments.

Fondly remembered as a great character during his time at Home Park, his name will go down in history as one of the finest Canadian players to grace the round ball game.

[Desigol]

Still, Pesh was the best; and most consistent; Canuck who played in England.

[shaku_bert]

You're always talking bollocks, desigol, here and in the general forum.

I am a Pesch fan too but you are forgetting Forrest, Yallop and some others who actually made th etop flight.

[shaku_bert]

You're always talking bollocks, desigol, here and in the general forum.

I am a Pesch fan too but you are forgetting Forrest, Yallop and some others who actually made th etop flight.

[Joe Keeper]

He may have only played in the lower divisions, but give the guy the props he deserves. He had a great career and I will never forget that Bicycle kick goal against Costa Rica.