Carlos Metidieri

Jose Carlos Metidieri (born December 18 1942 in Votorantim, Brazil) is a former professional soccer player. He is also known as "Topolino" ("Little Mouse" in Italian) due to his 5'4" stature and explosive speed on the field. He was the leading scorer of the North American Soccer League in 1970 and 1971 and named the league's Most Valuable Player - the only player in the league's history to accomplish both awards in consecutive seasons.

Metidieri played six NASL seasons as well as the summer of 1967 with the Boston Rovers in the United Soccer Association. He began playing soccer professionally at age 16, when he moved from Brazil to Italy to play. He played the NASL's inaugural season of 1968 with the Los Angeles Wolves alongside cousin Gilson. Carlos achieved his 'double double' playing for the Rochester Lancers, a team he played with for four summers. Rochester fans affectionately remember his game-winning goal in the longest professional soccer match ever played lasting 176 minutes in duration at Holleder Stadium against the visiting Dallas Tornado in 1971. He scored 35 points in 23 games in 1970 and 46 points, including 19 goals, in 24 games in 1971. Metidieri finished his NASL career in 1974 playing for the Boston Minutemen. Metidieri played in two 'A' internationals for the United States national soccer team. He made a brief and final return to the professional spotlight for the indoor Major Soccer League's Buffalo Stallions in 1980.

Carlos has four children: Eddy, Katya, John Carlos, and Emilia. Most of his retirement has been spent owning various restaurants and is now residing in Arizona where he currently owns and operates a pizzeria.