Ali Gerba

Canada/United States

In 2000 Gerba signed with the Montreal Impact where he recorded 6 goals and 2 assists, a club record for a rookie. In 2001 Gerba signed with the Miami Fusion of the MLS but had little success in Miami. In 2002 Gerba returned to the USL First Division and signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds but late in the season he was traded to the Toronto Lynx.

In 2003, Gerba was the leading scorer for the Lynx scoring six goals but again Gerba was traded to the Impact late in the season. But Gerba returned to the Lynx in 2004 where he had an outstanding season where he scored 15 goals a club record. Gerba returned to the Lynx for the 2005 season where he scored two goals before getting traded to the Impact in exchange for Abraham Francois and Sita-Taty Matondo. Gerba left the Lynx as the clubs second highest all-time scorer with 24 goals in total.

With the Impact Gerba played an important role in helping the team stay undefeated in 15 games, a league record. Gerba was rewarded by being selected to represent Canada in the Gold Cup where he played three games and scored one goal.

Europe

After the Gold Cup Gerba was signed by GIF Sundsvall where he scored 6 goals in 11 games but the team was relegated to the Superettan. When GIF Sundsvall were relegated Gerba signed a three-year deal with Swedish club IFK Gothenburg. In 2006, he was loaned to Odd Grenland in Norway, and in the beginning of 2007 he went on loan to Danish Superliga side AC Horsens, but the club did not want to keep him, so in January 2008 he signed with German FC Ingolstadt 04. In June 2008, he was released from his contract with the club.

As of June 28, 2008, Gerba was being linked with a return to North America to join Canadian manager Frank Yallop at Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes. However, on August 7, 2008, he signed for Football League One newcomers Milton Keynes Dons awaiting for his work permit to be stamped. On August 20, 2008, he made his first appearance for the Dons in a 3–0 away victory against Colchester United. He scored his first goal for the Dons in his second game for them in the 2–1 defeat to Peterborough United. Milton Keynes Dons announced they would not be offering Gerba a new contract for the 2009–10 season.

Canada

Gerba was linked with moves to MLS with Toronto FC, a return to his hometown Montreal Impact and also with English sides, Millwall, Stockport County, Oldham Athletic, Brentford and Burton Albion. Toronto FC announced the signing of Gerba on its website on June 23, 2009. Gerba made his unofficial debut for Toronto FC in an international friendly against the Argentinean powerhouse Club Atlético River Plate, at BMO Field on July 22, 2009. Gerba scored on his MLS debut vs. Columbus Crew on July 25, 2009 in a 3-2 loss.

On July 15, 2010. Gerba joined the Montreal Impact for his 4th stint with the team. Since rejoining the Impact, Gerba has set the club record for fastest goal in club history (18 seconds into the game) as well as recording the club's first regular season hat-trick.

At the end of the 2011 NASL season, Gerba and the rest of the Impact squad were evaluated in preparation for the teams move to Major League Soccer, but he was cut by team on October 12, 2011.

International

Gerba made his debut for Canada in a July 2005 friendly match against Honduras. By December 2009, he has the country's most prolific strike-rate, with 15 goals in 28 full internationals.

Gerba has represented Canada in three CONCACAF Gold Cups and 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. He is the all-time leader in goals for Canada at the Gold Cup with 6.

Individual