James Michael Gabarra was born on September 22,1959 and is an American retired soccer forward who coached the Washington Spirit National Women's Soccer League team, and previously coached Sky Blue FC and the Washington Freedom women's soccer teams.
19 Facts About Jim Gabarra
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Jim Gabarra played professionally in the American Soccer League, United Soccer League, American Indoor Soccer Association, Major Indoor Soccer League and Western Soccer Alliance.
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Jim Gabarra spent most of his time with the Express on the substitute's bench.
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Jim Gabarra moved to the USL where he joined the New York Nationals.
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The league itself collapsed during its second season, but by that time Jim Gabarra was establishing himself as an indoor star.
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On September 18,1985, during the AISA off season, Jim Gabarra signed with the Dallas Sidekicks of Major Indoor Soccer League as a free agent.
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Jim Gabarra played ten games with the team, assisting on one goal, before moving back to the Louisville Thunder.
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Jim Gabarra then moved to the Milwaukee Wave of the National Professional Soccer League.
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In 1986, Jim Gabarra began playing for the US Olympic soccer team as it began the qualification process for the 1988 Summer Olympics to be held in Seoul, South Korea.
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Jim Gabarra used his extensive indoor soccer experience to contribute to the US Futsal team.
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Jim Gabarra was the captain of the team from 1986 to 1996, during which he earned 30 indoor caps and scored 17 goals, both US records.
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Jim Gabarra earned his first cap with the US national team in a May 14,1988 loss to Colombia.
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Jim Gabarra went on to earn a total of 14 caps in 1988 and 1989.
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Jim Gabarra served as a volunteer assistant coach to his wife who is the women's soccer coach at the US Naval Academy.
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In 2003, Jim Gabarra led the Freedom to a second consecutive WUSA championship game.
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Jim Gabarra remained on as its head coach despite briefly coaching the San Diego Spirit during a tournament in 2004.
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In 2007, Jim Gabarra coached the Freedom's W-League franchise to the W-League championship and was one of three finalists for W-League Coach of the Year.
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Jim Gabarra returned to coach Sky Blue FC in 2013 as part of the National Women's Soccer League, where he led the team to the playoffs in their first year in the new league but did not return under his tenure.
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Jim Gabarra left in October 2015 to become the general manager and head coach of the Washington Spirit.