Peri Marošević

Peri Marošević

Personal information
Full name	Perica Marošević
Date of birth	May 5, 1989 (1989-05-05)
Place of birth	Brčko, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position	Forward
Youth career
2004–2006	IMG Soccer Academy
2006–2008	Michigan Wolverines
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2007–2008	Chicago Fire Premier	11	(4)
2009–2011	FC Dallas	4	(0)
2010	→ Austin Aztex (loan)	3	(0)
2011	Toronto FC	7	(2)
National team
2008–2009	United States U20	14	(5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 1, 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Perica "Peri" Marošević (born May 5, 1989) is a Bosnian-born American soccer player who last played for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.

Early life

Marošević was born in Bosnia in Yugoslavia prior to the Bosnian War, and initially moved to Frankfurt, Germany with his parents as a young child to escape the conflict, before eventually settling in Rockford, Illinois. His father is of Croatian ancestry while his mother is of Montenegrin ancestry.

Career

Youth and college

Marošević attended Guilford High School in Rockford and Edison High School in Bradenton, FL, played club soccer with the Rockford Raptors and Chicago Sockers, and played college soccer at the University of Michigan, where he was named to the CoSida Academic All-District First Team in 2007, was a two-time All-Big Ten Second Team nominee and a one-time All-Big Ten First Team nominee, scoring 24 goals and registering seven assists becoming the teams leading scorer 2 out of his 3 seasons. During his college years he also played with Chicago Fire Premier in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

Marošević was drafted in the first round (5th overall) by FC Dallas in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, and signed to a Generation Adidas contract. He made his professional debut on March 29, 2009 in a Dallas's game against Chivas USA. In April 2009, Peri appeared alongside 14 other Major League Soccer Players on Cosmogirl.com's "Hottest Soccer Guys".

In June 2010, having found it increasingly difficult to break into the FC Dallas first team, Marošević was loaned to USSF-D2 side Austin Aztex. He made his debut for the Aztex on June 19, coming on as a substitute against Miami FC. Marošević scored a hat-trick for the Aztex in a second round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game against Arizona Sahuaros on June 22, 2010. The young striker ended his month long loan deal tallying four goals in four games.

Marošević was signed by Toronto FC on July 28, 2011, after asking to be released from FC Dallas. Two days later Marošević made his debut for Toronto as a second half sub for Nick Soolsma against Portland Timbers, with Toronto down 2-0. Marosevic ignited a comeback by scoring on his debut in the 63rd minute followed by a Danny Koevermans strike, earning a well-fought 2-2 away draw for Toronto FC. In Toronto's next league match against DC United, Peri again came in the game as a second half substitute earning his second league goal in only two league appearances for Toronto FC. The game ended in a 3-3 draw. Marošević made his mark on the Reds season once again scoring against UNAM Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, the game ended in a 1-1 home draw to the Mexican side.

Marošević declined a contract offer by Toronto FC in January 2012, ending his time at the club.

International

Marošević has been a member of the U.S. U-17, U-18, and U-20 national teams. He was a member of the squad for the United States in the 2009 U-20 FIFA World Cup, coming on as a substitute at halftime in a 3-0 loss to Korea.

See also

• List of current MLS players

External links

• MLS player profile