Gil Mărdărescu

Mircea "Gil" Mărdărescu (born 12 April 1952, in Săcele) is a retired Romanian-American football (soccer) player.

Career
Gil Mărdărescu started playing football in 1970 at Politehnica Iași under the guidance of his father, Virgil, making 28 appearances in the Romanian top-division, Divizia A. From 1973 until 1975 he played in Morocco at Wydad Casablanca.

In 1975, he joined the New York Cosmos as a midfielder in the North American Soccer League, where he played alongside three-time World Cup winner Pelé. According to Pelé's autobiography, when Mărdărescu first saw him he made the sign of the cross, then grabbed his hand, telling him:"I always dreamed that I would shake your hand. But playing alongside you is a miracle!". In the same year he moved on to the Rochester Lancers, where he was coached by Ted Dumitru. In 1980, he signed with the New York United football team of the American Soccer League.

Personal life
His father Virgil Mărdărescu coached the Morocco to the 1976 African Cup of Nations title.

He currently lives in California with his wife Stephanie. Gil and Stephanie have two children together, Natalie and Nathan. Mardaresco has three grown children from a previous marriage.

Honours
Politehnica Iași
 * Divizia B: 1972–73