GIORGIO CHINAGLIA

One of the most famous men in the U.S. soccer, Italian-born Giorgio Chinaglia has been a part of the New Jersey soccer scene for over 30 years. And he’s still going strong.

Currently the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Moonachie-based Champions World, Giorgio has become one of the most outstanding color commentators in soccer broadcasting with his expert analysis on the World Cup 2002 matches as well as last summer’s U.S. tour by Juventus and Manchester United.

As a star player for the legendary New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League during the 1970’s and 80’s, Giorgio rewrote the soccer goal-scoring record book just as he had done during his brilliant career in Italy’s Seria “A” League.

Giorgio was born in Carrara, Italy in 1947, but soon after his father moved to Wales for employment and not long after brought Giorgio and the rest of the Chinaglia Family to Wales. That’s where the young Chinaglia blossomed into a soccer phenom and soon signed his first contract with Swansea FC.

After playing only six games with the first team Giorgio was on his way back to Italy where he played for Massese, an Italian third division side. Soon after it was on the Inter-Napoli where Giorgio had a smashing debut by scoring nine goals in his first 10 games with the Naples-based team.

A success at the gate and on the field. Inter-Napoli soon transferred Giorgio to Lazio. That is when his star really soared as he scored 10 goals in his first year in the defense-dominated first division and earned a spot with Italy’s World Cup team, playing with the Azzurri in the 1970 World Cup.

Giorgio eventually moved to the U.S. and joined the Cosmos, as one of its bevy of international superstars. While the Cosmos were a hit around the world on their international tours, Chinaglia was one of their main attractions.

In a lineup that featured Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto and other stars from around the world, Giorgio Chinaglia became the team’s offensive star.