Robert Iarusci
Robert Iarusci (born November 8, 1954 in Toronto) is a former Canadian soccer defender who played in the NASL and for the Canadian national team. In 2012, the Canadian Soccer Association named him to the all-time Canada XI men's team.
A right back, Iarusci began his career with Toronto Italia in the National Soccer League (1973–1975). He then moved to the NASL with the Toronto Metros-Croatia (1976–1977), playing every game in 1976 as Toronto won the league title. He spent the 1977–78 seasons with the New York Cosmos, who won Soccer Bowls in that era. In 1979–1980 he played for the Washington Diplomats, then returned to the Cosmos from 1981–1983, finishing his career with the San Diego Sockers in 1984 as the league folded. He won four Soccer Bowl titles, three of them in a row.
Internationally, Iarusci earned 27 caps for Canada from 1976 to 1983 and scored two goals, both in World Cup qualifying and CONCACAF Championship play. He captained the national team for several games.
He was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2000. He is the chairman of the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club and the vice president of the North York Hearts Soccer Club. He also works in broadcasting as a co-host on Sportsnet 590’s The Soccer Show and as a color commentator for Toronto FC home games.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 16:30 (CET).