Efrain 'Chico' Chacurian (1924-2019): 'A giant of soccer in the Northeast'
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Feb 17, 2019
"Chico Chacurian was a giant of soccer in the Northeast," said Dan Woog, longtime Connecticut-based soccer journalist and Staples High School coach. "Truly a great guy – one of those old-timers who just loved the game, and did his best to serve it in many ways.
"He was an inspiration to generations of young players. Seeing him out on the field in his 70s -– knocking the ball around and having fun -- brought smiles to 7-year-olds."
Born in Argentina on Feb. 22, 1924 to Armenian immigrant parents, Chacurian immigrated to the USA in the 1947 after starting his pro career with Racing Club. He played four games for the USA and scored in a 3-2 win over Haiti during the USA's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 1954 World Cup. He was the U.S. national team's oldest living goalscorer when he died.
His post-playing career included coaching Southern Connecticut (1965-75), Yale (1976-80) and the University of Bridgeport (1983-88). For more than three decades, he served the Region 1 Olympic Development Program (ODP). New Jersey products Tony Meola and Claudio Reyna were among the players who came through Region 1 ODP while Chacurian served as head coach. A soccer field at Short Beach Park in the Lordship section of Stratford was named after Chacurian
A 1987 Region 1 ODP team on England trip with coaches Chico Chacurian and Keith
Tabatznik.
"He was one of kind," Keith Tabatznik, longtime Region 1 ODP head coach and McLean YS Director of Soccer. "When I took over ODP Region 1, I had Chico working with us until he was about 88. Because I wanted every player who came into ODP to experience Chico. It could only make the kids love for the game grow."
A 1992 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, Chacurian's playing career in the USA included stints with the New York Armenians (New York Eastern District League), Brooklyn Hispano (American Soccer League), N.Y. Swiss (New York's German-American League), and Bridgeport's Vasco da Gama after he settled in Connecticut. He started coaching youth soccer in 1962 while he was still playing.
"God bless Chico Chacurian, one of the greatest soccer figures (player, coach, giver) this country has ever known," Rider University head coach Charlie Inverso posted on Facebook. "He influenced so many great players and coaches, but regardless of who you were or how good you were, he treated you the same. Chico lit up every room and field he ever entered. His ball tricks and jokes were legendary, but it was his kind soul that made him a true Hall of Famer."
Chico was the best. I played at Yale during his time there, and training sessions were way more fun with him around. He will be missed.
Interesting guy, would have love to have met him.....You can sense he has a love for the game and expresses that in his coaching...an element that is so rare with today's coaches. It is old guys like him who were grew and experience the days of Garrincha, DiStefano, Pele, Best,Dzajic, Beckenbauer, Cruyff and so many, many other stars that made soccer so BEAUTIFUL, that today's laptop coaches just don't have a feeling of.....
Great guy, no doubt, love to read about these local icons. Thank you SA. Frank, about todays coaches ... you would be surprised the gems you can find out there, if you know what you are looking for ... my son has some amazing influences, from Mexico, Columbia, Uruguay, Hungary, Croatia, Ghana, India (yes), and one from Texas and another from Florida, and bugger, even had one from Holland, that we'll never forget. These guys all are like pearls buried in the sand, when you find them you give them love by bringing your kid back, because they love nothing more than to teach the game. I have no time for the youtube coaches, bye bye. Thanks!
I remember Chico when he was starring for Swiss SC in the German American League in New York in the 50’s
I was a teenager junior player and Chico would always come out to our early morning games and give us pointers and encouragement
I cant remember meeting him but certainly seems like I should have . Mybe Keith remembers if I did ever meet him.
One of a kind... RIP Chico