Don Droege
Encyclopedia
Don Droege is a former U.S. soccer defender
who played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League
and three seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League
. He also earned eight caps with the U.S. national team between 1977 and 1979.
and attended Christian Brothers College High School
where he was the soccer team's 1971 and 1972 defensive MVP. He was also co-captain of the 1972 team. In addition to playing soccer, he was also a baseball letterman his senior year. After graduating from high school, Droege attended St. Louis University, playing on the men's soccer team from 1973 to 1976.
of the North American Soccer League
(NASL). In December 1978, the Lancers traded Droege to the Washington Diplomats
. The Diplomats folded at the end of the 1980 season and Droege was selected by the New England Tea Men
in the dispersal draft. However, the Tea Men sold his contract to the Atlanta Chiefs
for the 1981 season. However, by that time the NASL's decline was accelerating and the Chiefs folded at the end of the season. Droege moved again, this time to the Tulsa Roughnecks
. However, after eighteen games, the Roughnecks traded Droege to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in exchange for Njego Pesa
and Terry Moore
. He saw time in seven games for the Rowdies in 1982. In 1983, Droege finished his NASL career with the Chicago Sting
.
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL). The Horizon lasted only one season before folding. Droege did not return to the MISL until he left the NASL in 1983. That fall, Droege returned to Saint Louis to sign with the St. Louis Steamers
. He spent two seasons with the Steamers before retiring from playing professionally in 1985.
on September 18, 1977. Nine days later, he came on as a substitute in a 3-0 loss to Mexico
. From that point on, he played the rest of the U.S. games in 1977. He played in only one of the three U.S. games in 1978, then earned his last cap on May 2, 1979 in a 6-0 loss to France
.
Droege was inducted into St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
and three seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. He also earned eight caps with the U.S. national team between 1977 and 1979.
Youth and college
Droege grew up in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and attended Christian Brothers College High School
Christian Brothers College High School
Christian Brothers College High School , is a Lasallian Catholic college preparatory school for young men in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis and is owned and operated by the De La Salle Christian Brothers Midwest District.-Early years :The school...
where he was the soccer team's 1971 and 1972 defensive MVP. He was also co-captain of the 1972 team. In addition to playing soccer, he was also a baseball letterman his senior year. After graduating from high school, Droege attended St. Louis University, playing on the men's soccer team from 1973 to 1976.
NASL
In 1977, Droege signed with the Rochester LancersRochester Lancers
The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based in Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL). In December 1978, the Lancers traded Droege to the Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
. The Diplomats folded at the end of the 1980 season and Droege was selected by the New England Tea Men
New England Tea Men
The New England Tea Men were a soccer team based out of Foxboro, MA that played in the NASL from 1978 to 1980. Their home field was Schaefer Stadium....
in the dispersal draft. However, the Tea Men sold his contract to the Atlanta Chiefs
Atlanta Chiefs
The Atlanta Chiefs were a soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia that played in the NPSL and NASL from 1967 to 1972. Their home fields were Atlanta Stadium and Tara Stadium . The club was the brainchild of Dick Cecil, then Vice President of the Atlanta Braves baseball franchise who were the Chiefs'...
for the 1981 season. However, by that time the NASL's decline was accelerating and the Chiefs folded at the end of the season. Droege moved again, this time to the Tulsa Roughnecks
Tulsa Roughnecks
-NASL:The Tulsa Roughnecks were a North American Soccer League team from Tulsa, Oklahoma. They played at Skelly Stadium on the campus of the University of Tulsa. The Roughnecks were a regular in the NASL playoffs, and won the NASL Soccer Bowl in 1983, defeating the Toronto Blizzard at B.C. Place...
. However, after eighteen games, the Roughnecks traded Droege to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in exchange for Njego Pesa
Njego Pesa
Njego Pesa is a former Yugoslavian-American soccer forward who played in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He earned seven caps with the U.S. national team.-Youth:...
and Terry Moore
Terry Moore (soccer)
Terence "Terry" Moore is a former Canadian national soccer team, NASL, and Irish League player.A steady central defender Moore lived the first five years of his life in Moncton until his family moved to Northern Ireland. He grew up there and played in the Irish League for Larne and the famous...
. He saw time in seven games for the Rowdies in 1982. In 1983, Droege finished his NASL career with the Chicago Sting
Chicago Sting
The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988...
.
MISL
In 1980, Droege signed with the Chicago HorizonChicago Horizon
The Chicago Horizons was a member of the original Major Indoor Soccer League for only the 1980–81 season. It was the first of two franchises that represented Chicago in the circuit's history. It was the first professional sports team that played its home matches at the Rosemont Horizon, which also...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL). The Horizon lasted only one season before folding. Droege did not return to the MISL until he left the NASL in 1983. That fall, Droege returned to Saint Louis to sign with the St. Louis Steamers
St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
. He spent two seasons with the Steamers before retiring from playing professionally in 1985.
National team
Droege's first game with the national team came in a 3-1 loss to GuatemalaGuatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
on September 18, 1977. Nine days later, he came on as a substitute in a 3-0 loss to Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
. From that point on, he played the rest of the U.S. games in 1977. He played in only one of the three U.S. games in 1978, then earned his last cap on May 2, 1979 in a 6-0 loss to France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
.
Droege was inducted into St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.