Tatu (soccer)

Tatu, real name Antonio Carlos Pecorari, (born February 1, 1962 in Marinique, Brazil) is a former Brazilian football (soccer) player, one of the most accomplished indoor soccer players of all time.

Related Topics:
February 1 - 1962 - Marinique - Brazil - Football (soccer) - Indoor soccer

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Tatu came to the United States after playing with São Paulo in 1981. He started with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. In 1984, Tatu moved to the Dallas Sidekicks, where he played until 2003. As a Dallas Sidekick he was a part of all four Sidekick's championship teams (1987, 1993, 1998, 2001).

Related Topics:
United States - São Paulo - 1981 - Tampa Bay Rowdies - 1984 - Dallas Sidekicks - 2003 - Dallas Sidekick

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Tatu is a well respected sports figure in Dallas. Tatu's community involvement includes running many soccer camps in the Dallas area. When the Olympic Torch came through Dallas for the 2002 Salt Lake City games, Tatu had the honor as serving as the Torch Bearer.

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In 1998, he replaced Gordon Jago as the head coach of the Dallas Sidekicks. Tatu is the only person to win the player of the year and the coach of the year in the same season (1998). As a head coach he went 63-53 in the regular season and 7-3 in the playoffs.

Related Topics:
1998 - Gordon Jago - Dallas Sidekicks

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Tatu has many indoor soccer records. He has the second most season played (21). Only Victor Nogueira has played more with 23 seasons. He is seventh on the all time list with games played (633). He is also second in points (1585), second in shots (4396), and second in game winning goals (77). He is the leader in power play goals with (113).

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He is known for throwing his jersey into the crowd after scoring every goal, a tradition that started in Tampa. His nickname means armadillo in Portuguese.

Related Topics:
Armadillo - Portuguese

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