Upon Googling Juli Veee, one finds a Wikipedia entry that reads,  “Known as ‘Double-deuce, triple-E, the-one-and-only Juli Veee,’ Veee experienced his greatest success as an indoor player with the San Diego Sockers. He also earned four caps, scoring two goals, with the U.S. national team.”

Juli Veee is a local hero.  San Diego Sockers fanatics and anyone who remembers soccer in the 70's and 80's has no need to Google Juli. The fans, know number 22, Gyula Visnyei, intimately from his track record of accomplishment, most of it achieved after age 25. Having a career take off after the age of 25 in the world of soccer is, in itself, a feat, but that achievement is only one of the many remarkable goals Mr. Veee has scored in a lifelong career of blessing the world with his talents.
 
Veee’s success spans time and space over decades and around the globe. With more than 254 goals and 214 assists attributed to his time playing for the San Diego Sockers alone, it’s no wonder Veee became synonymous with victory. Veee wore this crown proudly with the trademark raise of his arms into a capital V after each scoring goal.  In 1997, Veee became the first soccer player inducted into the San Diego Breitbard Hall of Fame.

But, this is only the icing on the cake of his illustrious soccer career. Veee played with greats like Bobby Moore and subbed in for the world- renowned Pele before 19 thousand fans in the 1979/80 all star game in St. Louis. In a town that had struggled to keep a professional team, Veee created soccer fever in San Diego leading the Sockers to 5 championships, earning “Most Valuable Player of the Year” three times and setting several individual scoring records that athletes over the years have yet to beat. At the height of his career, Veee was compared to Wayne Gretzky for his scoring abilities as immortalized in a 1981 Sports Illustrated article. 

These accomplishments are admirable, but knowing Veee’s background is what turns him from a sports star into a sports hero. Growing up in impoverished, communist Hungary, Veee began playing soccer at age 11. By age 18, representing the Hungarian national under-21 team, Veee made a bold move that changed his life forever when he defected and moved to the U.S. This decision cost him 6 years of prime competitive soccer years, during which time he worked menial low wage labor jobs to support his young family. 

After being re-recruited by a Hungarian coach back to Europe, Veee resumed his career playing in France and Belgium before returning to the US to play with the Los Angeles Aztecs and eventually making his home in San Diego with the Sockers. A talented outdoor player, Veee became most famous as a pioneer of indoor soccer in his tenure with the Sockers.

A career like that is enviable, but Veee is humble in his recollections of his glory years in soccer. When asked what he contributes to his success, Veee says “good coaches that taught me skill. You have to have talent, but that comes from working at it and the muscle memory of doing it.”

After an amazing soccer career, it was time for something completely different…and a new successful venture that muscle memory does not explain. With this new beginning, Veee found another venue for his talent and creativity in the art world. Now also established in the San Diego art community, Veee’s paintings are shown widely at openings around town and farther afield.

Interestingly, his impressionist sports art, including soccer, football, ballet among others, is only one of the many themes of his work. His paintings range from Southwestern imagery to abstract Picasso-esque designs to textured beaded paint compositions, painted hats and beautifully-colored soccer balls. Veee contributes his work for charity events on a regular basis most recently offering his art for auction at a Haiti relief effort. He also recently participated in a breast cancer awareness benefit.

Veee’s home resembles an art gallery or a fine art museum. Upon entering it, one would never know he was a San Diego soccer legend. He doesn’t mention it and there is no memoriam adorning the walls. Veee’s home is dedicated to the colorful depictions of a multi-dimensional life of which soccer is merely a part.

Veee currently dedicates his time to his art and coaching youth soccer. When asked what advice he has for young athletes and artists, Veee said, “Education. You need to study to be successful, and, of course, never give up, follow your dreams, follow your bliss.”

Veee paints commission pieces and shows his work at openings around San Diego.

For more information email: juliveee22@gmail.com