Roman Jacek Kosecki (born 15 February 1966) is a Polish former professional footballer who played as a striker. In 1994, he was voted the Polish Footballer of the Year.[2]

Career

In his club career, Kosecki played for RKS URSUS, Gwardia Warsaw, Legia Warsaw, Galatasaray, CA Osasuna, Atlético Madrid, Nantes, Montpellier, and the Chicago Fire.[3] Osasuna transferred Kosecki to Atlético Madrid after the 1992–93 La Liga season, the second most expensive transfer of a foreign player in that window.[4] After a successful year with Atlético Madrid and the Poland national team, Kosecki was chosen as the 1994 Polish footballer of the year by Piłka Nożna magazine.[5] He came to Major League Soccer in the Fire's inaugural season in 1998, joining fellow Polish internationals Peter Nowak and Jerzy Podbrozny.[6] Kosecki proceeded to score the first goal in Fire's history in a 2–0 win over the Miami Fusion. He then helped the club to the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup double. Kosecki played two seasons in MLS, scoring 12 goals and 19 assists in league play, before retiring as a player.[citation needed]

For Poland, Kosecki was capped 69 times, scoring 19 goals between 1988 and 1995.[7]

He was a deputy (poseł) to the Polish Sejm from Civic Platform in 2005.[8] Kosecki ran for the position of president of the PZPN in 2012 but lost to Polish soccer legend Zbigniew Boniek. Boniek however appointed him to vice president of youth development.

Personal life

His son Jakub Kosecki is also a professional football player.

Career statistics

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Poland 1988 7 3
1989 13 2
1990 15 5
1991 9 1
1992 6 4
1993 7 0
1994 5 2
1995 7 2
Total 69 19

International goals

Scores and results table. Poland's goal tally first:
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 10 February 1988 Tel Aviv, Israel  Israel 3–1 Friendly
2 13 July 1988 New Britain, United States  United States 2–0 Friendly
3 13 July 1988 New Britain, United States  United States 2–0 Friendly
4 8 February 1989 San José, Costa Rica  Costa Rica 4–2 Friendly
5 14 February 1989 Puebla, Mexico  Mexico 1–3 Friendly
6 11 February 1990 Cairo, Egypt  Kuwait 1–1 Friendly
7 4 May 1990 Chicago, United States  Colombia 1–2 Friendly
8 21 May 1990 Marseille, France  United Arab Emirates 4–0 Friendly
9 10 October 1990 Warsaw, Poland  United States 2–3 Friendly
10 19 December 1990 Volos, Greece  Greece 2–1 Friendly
11 17 April 1991 Warsaw, Poland  Turkey 3–0 UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
12 19 May 1992 Salzburg, Austria  Austria 4–2 Friendly
13 19 May 1992 Salzburg, Austria  Austria 4–2 Friendly
14 5 July 1992 Guatemala City, Guatemala  Guatemala 2–2 Friendly
15 5 July 1992 Guatemala City, Guatemala  Guatemala 2–2 Friendly
16 9 February 1994 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain  Spain 1–1 Friendly
17 4 September 1994 Tel Aviv, Israel  Israel 1–2 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
18 25 April 1995 Zabrze, Poland  Israel 4–3 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
19 7 June 1995 Zabrze, Poland  Slovakia 5–0 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying

Honours

Legia Warsaw[9]

Galatasaray[9]

Chicago Fire[9]

Poland U18

Individual

References

  1. ^ mlssoccer. "Roman Kosecki | MLSsoccer.com". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Player of the year – Poland". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Roman Kosecki" (in Polish). 90 Minut. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  4. ^ "Los países del Este aportan la mitad de los jugadores extranjeros en Primera" (in Spanish). Madrid: ABC. 30 August 1993.
  5. ^ "Kosecki, 'futbolista del año' en Polonia". El País (in Spanish). 18 December 1994.
  6. ^ "Meet the Fire: Roman Kosecki". Chicago Sun-Times. 16 June 1998.
  7. ^ Klukowski, Tomasz (9 November 2002). "Roman Kosecki – International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  8. ^ "Roman Kosecki pierwszym kandydatem na prezesa PZPN" (in Polish). Nasze Miasto. 29 June 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d "Roman Kosecki". 90minut.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Laureaci". pilkanozna.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  11. ^ "1999 MLS All-Star Game". MLSsoccer.com. 17 July 1999. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Kosecki
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