Geoffrey "Geoff" Edward Ramer Aunger (born 4 February 1968 in Red Deer, Alberta) is a former Canadian soccer player. He played in various Canadian leagues and the lower tiers of the English leagues system before playing in the United States in the A-League and Major League Soccer. Aunger was also a member of the Canadian national soccer team member who play for striker and defensive midfielder.[1]
A striker/defensive midfielder later converted into a defender, play as full-back and centre half as well, Aunger played youth soccer with the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club.[2] He began his professional career in 1987 in the Canadian Soccer League and played all six years of the league's existence and with five different teams. He started with the Vancouver 86ers and went on to play with the Winnipeg Fury, Victoria Vistas, Hamilton Steelers, London Lasers, and once more with the 86ers. He was the league's 7th leading scorer in 1988 with the Fury, 4th in 1991 with the Steelers and named a league All-Star in 1992, the final year of the league. He continued with the 86ers as they joined the APSL for the 1993 season, scoring 3 goals in 11 appearances. He was also a 1990 and 1991 All Canada soccer player with the British Columbia Institute of Technology.[3]
Aunger tried out for Brentford but signed with Luton Town for the 1993–94 season for two years contract. Aunger scored two minutes into his debut match. He played 6 times for the Hatters first-team, having been dropped to the reserves after playing only 3 games, Aunger did not feature in Luton Town brave FA Cup run. [citation needed] He was not re-signed at the end of the season and later had a brief stint with Third Division Chester City. [citation needed]
In November 1994 he was given a trial at SK Brann in Norway.[4]
He rejoined the 86ers of the A-League and also played for the Milwaukee Wave of the indoor National Professional Soccer League.[5] Aunger had 7 goals in 18 games with the 86ers in 1995.
Aunger played in the MLS for the New England Revolution in 1996, when he led the team in games and minutes played, while scoring 3 goals, all on penalties.[6] He converted the first penalty kick in Revolution history on April 27, 1996, in the Revolution's home opener against D.C. United.[6] The goal was the first ever scored by the Revolution at Foxboro Stadium.[6] He tried his luck once more in England, this time with Stockport County but made but one appearance, as a substitute the day after signing. He then joined the A-League's Seattle Sounders.[7]
A second chance in MLS in 1998 with D.C. United, as Aunger won in training camp the right-back position. After 6 matches he lost his starting position and spent rest the season in and out of the line-up. 1999 saw him however start 24 games for the team however as a midfielder, and won the 1999 MLS Championship with United. He was also the first Canadian to play in the MLS Cup final. In 2000, Geoff made 26 appearances for United. He was traded to the Colorado Rapids in 2001, and appeared in one game. In total, Aunger played 104 regular season MLS games and 9 Cup play-off contests.
He made his debut for Canada in a March 1991 North American Championship match against Mexico, but since this game was not regarded official he won his first senior cap coming on as a sub in an April 1992 friendly match against China. He earned a total of 44 caps, scoring 4 goals. He has represented Canada in 13 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.[8]
His final international was a November 1997 World Cup qualification match against Costa Rica, a game after which Alex Bunbury, Frank Yallop and Colin Miller also said farewell to the national team.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 November 1992 | Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, Canada |  Bermuda |
4–2 | 4–2 | 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 15 July 1993 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico |  Martinique |
1–0 | 2–2 | 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
| 3 | 1 August 1995 | Varsity Stadium, Toronto, Canada |  Jamaica |
3–1 | 3–1 | Caribana Cup |
| 4 | 30 August 1996 | Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada |  Panama |
1–0 | 3–1 | 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification |
D.C. United
Canada
Individual
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