Tony Crudo 1977 - 1979; 1978 (id), 1979 (id)

Anothony or Antonio “Tony” Crudo was born March 25th, 1959 in Seattle, Washington. He attended Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington where he was a member of the school’s 1976 state championship soccer team. Tony played on the National Junior Team in the 1976 Youth World Cup preliminary rounds.

Came to the Rowdies late in the 1977 season after graduation. Made his debut for the Rowdies against the People's Republic of China on October 13th in a 1-2 loss, at Tampa Stadium.

Had a very successful 1978 indoor season, appearing in all 7 games, scored the winning goal in 6-5 victory over the Washington Diplomats on February 3rd, which earned him the Exchange Bank's Player of the Week. He would finish the indoor season with 2 goals and 2 assists for 6 points. During the 1978 outdoor season, he logged 638:22 minutes of playing time, starting 11 games.

He again appeared in all 5 indoor games during the 1979 season. He would appear in the first 7 games of the 1979 outdoor season, but would make his final Rowdies appearance against the LA Aztecs on May 19th, in a 0-1 loss. In July, he was acquired by the California Surf, appearing in 6 games.

Started in the Surf's 1980 indoor season, playing in 11 games, with 3 assists. Tony's main goal for the 1980 outdoor season was to play 1000 minutes, he surpassed that number and finished the regular season with 1743 minutes (21 games). He also assisted on 3 goals. Following the NASL season he joined the US National and World Cup teams on tour in Europe and in qualification rounds.

The 1980-81 indoor season would see Tony play in 13 games with 2 assists. Tony started in 15 games for the Surf during his last outdoor season (1981) in California.

He was purchased by the Seattle Sounders in October 1981, he would appear in their 1981-82 indoor season. Tony played only three games during the 1982 outdoor season. He left the NASL at the end of the season.
His last game with the US National team came on March 21st, 1982, a victory over Trinidad and Tobago.

Today, Tony Crudo continues to live in Washington where he is a special education teacher and the boys soccer coach at Fife High School.
Thanks to Mike Connell for the Rowdies photo.