Antonio Carlos Pecorari (born 1 February 1962), commonly known as Tatu, is a Brazilian former football coach and former player, and one of the most accomplished indoor football players of all time. He is currently the head coach of the Texas Outlaws, formerly the Mesquite Outlaws, in the Major Arena Soccer League. His nickname means "armadillo" in Portuguese.

Playing career

In 1981, Tatu came to the United States at age 19, shortly after finishing his first professional season at São Paulo, and scoring 10 goals. He had intended to play for several months, earning enough money to buy a house in São Paulo. As a Dallas Sidekick, Tatu was a part of all four Sidekicks' championship teams (1987, 1993, 1998 and 2001). From 1984 until 1992, the Sidekicks played in MISL. The league collapsed in 1992, and Dallas moved to the newly created Continental Indoor Soccer League until that league also collapsed in 1997. The CISL played during the summer, and Tatu spent the 1993–94 winter indoor season with the Wichita Wings of the National Professional Soccer League. He would remain with the club for three seasons, leaving in 2015.

On 22 July 2019, Tatu was named the first-ever head coach for the Major Arena Soccer League's Mesquite Outlaws.

Legacy

Tatu was known for throwing his jersey into the crowd after scoring a goal, a tradition that started during his time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

In October 2011, Tatu was a member of the inaugural class of inductees into the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame.

References

  • Tatu's Rowdies stats
  • Tatu's Dallas stats