Martin Cohen (born 3 February 1952) is a South African former professional association footballer who played for the Los Angeles Aztecs.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Martin Cohen | ||
| Date of birth | 3 February 1952 | ||
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1970–1977 | Highlands Park | ||
| 1977 | Los Angeles Aztecs | 21 | (0) |
| 1978–1979 | Highlands Park | ||
| 1979 | California Surf | 23 | (0) |
| 1980–1982 | Highlands Park | ||
| 1983–1984 | Wits University | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career
Cohen was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is Jewish.[1][2][3] He was a starter for Highlands Park during the apartheid era of soccer in South Africa. He had trained with this club since the age of 10.[4] On 20 April 1974, Cohen was part of the White XI that played their black counterparts in a racially charged match at Rand Stadium. After initially going down 1-0 to the black side (the goal was called off-side by referee Wally Turner), Cohen scored a crucial goal before Neil Roberts put the game away.[5]
In 1975, Cohen won the South Africa's player of the year.[6]
In December 1976 he signed with the Los Angeles Aztecs.[4] He scored his first two goals in the first leg of the second round of the NASL playoffs against the Dallas Tornado as the Aztecs won 3-1.[7] He played with the California Surf in 1979.[8]
His son, Larry Cohen, is also a footballer.