Full name Silvano Lenarduzzi Name Sam Lenarduzzi | Playing position Role Soccer player Years Team Position Defender | |
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Date of birth (1949-12-19) December 19, 1949 (age 66) | ||
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Silvano "Sam" Lenarduzzi (born December 19, 1949) is a Canadian former national soccer team player.
Born in Udine, Italy, but raised in Vancouver, Lenarduzzi made his international debut in 1967 as member of the Pan American Games team in Winnipeg. He went on to play in the Pan American Games again in Cali, Colombia in 1971. He played in 29 'A' internationals for the Canadian men's national soccer team between 1968 and 1980.
For many years Lenarduzzi was a key member of the Vancouver Columbus club that won a Canadian championship medal in 1969 and played in the final in 1968. A full back who was converted to sweeper later in his career, Lenarduzzi joined Vancouver Whitecaps when that club was formed in 1974 and played a major role in defence until he transferred to Toronto Blizzard in 1979. As a Whitecap, he played along with his younger brother Bob Lenarduzzi.
In 1977 Lenarduzzi was named into the tournament all star team during the pre-World Cup competition in Mexico.
In April 2000 Lenarduzzi was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.
He currently coaches at the Vancouver Whitecaps running camps which he has been doing for many year. He has even been given the nickname 'The Legend' by some of his fellow coaches.