Ilija Mitić

Ilija Mitić (Serbian Cyrillic: Илија Митић; July 19, 1940 – September 2, 2023) was a professional soccer player. Born in Yugoslavia, he represented the United States internationally.[1]

Ilija Mitić
Personal information
Date of birth (1940-07-19)July 19, 1940
Place of birth Grkinja, Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Date of death September 2, 2023(2023-09-02) (aged 83)
Place of death San Francisco, California, U.S.
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1958–1963 Partizan 58 (14)
1963–1965 Bor
1965–1967 OFK Beograd
1967–1968 Oakland Clippers 47 (31)
1969 Dallas Tornado 19 (12)
1969–1970 Marseille 6 (1)
1970–1971 Holland Sport
1971–1973 FC Den Bosch 45 (9)
1973–1975 Dallas Tornado 41 (24)
1975–1978 San Jose Earthquakes 67 (36)
International career
Yugoslavia U21 2 (0)
1973 United States 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Mitić played with Partizan[2] with whom he won the Yugoslav First League title three times. Earning two under-21 caps, he later joined OFK Beograd.

Mitić signed with the Oakland Clippers of the newly formed National Professional Soccer League in 1967, won the league title, and was named to the NPSL's Best XI team. In the off-season, the NPSL merged with the United Soccer Association to form the NASL. With the Clippers he was the NASL's third leading scorer in 1968 and again a Best XI selection. Mitić joined the Dallas Tornado as the Clippers folded and was named a Best XI for the third consecutive year in 1969. Converting from forward to midfielder, Mitić was also chosen as an NASL Best XI in 1973 and 1974. He played indoor soccer for the Tornado as well, and was named to the All-Tournament team in 1975.

Mitić was the first soccer player to score 100 goals in the NASL which he achieved in July 1978 against the Memphis Rogues. He finished his NASL career with the San Jose Earthquakes and is the league's sixth all-time leading goal scorer with 239 points in 166 games, including 101 goals.

He played one 'A' international for the United States national team, on August 10, 1973, at Candlestick Park, as the U.S. lost to Poland 4–0 in a friendly.

Death

Ilija Mitić died on September 2, 2023, at the age of 83.[3]

Honours
Partizan
OFK Beograd

References
  1. "Preminuo član "Partizanovih beba" Ilija Mitić" (in Serbian). Mozzart Sport. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  2. Partizan players stats at Partizan official site.
  3. "Preminuo Ilija Mitić, član legendarne generacije "Partizanovih beba"". dan.co.me. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
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