George Fernandez
Encyclopedia
George Fernandez is a retired American soccer defender
who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. He coached in both the Continental Indoor Soccer League
and NPSL and was the 1994 CISL Coach of the Year.
of the North American Soccer League
drafted Fernandez but he did not sign with them. In October 1983, the Tacoma Stars had the first selection in the Major Indoor Soccer League Draft but swapped their pick with the Cleveland Force. The Crunch used the pick to select Fernandez. Fernandez played only six games over two seasons with the Force before being released in October 1985. On December 27, 1985, the Los Angeles Lazers
for the remainder of the season. He ended up playing two seasons in Los Angeles. In 1987, Fernandez joined the San Diego Sockers as a free agent. On July 30, 1990, he moved to the Cleveland Crunch
as a free agent. In 1992, the Crunch moved to the National Professional Soccer League. In 1994, he became the head coach of the Anaheim Splash
in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
. NPSL rules prohibited players and coaches from the CISL to compete in the NPSL. Therefore, the Crunch released Fernandez. In 1995, he returned to the NPSL when he signed with the Cincinnati Silverbacks
.
at the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship
. He was a member of the United States national futsal team
at both the 1992
and 1996 FIFA Futsal World Championship
.
of the Continental Indoor Soccer League
. He took the team, to the second best record in the league and was named the 1994 CISL Coach of the Year. In September 1996, Fernandez became a player-coach with the Cincinnati Silverbacks
. He coached the Silverbacks for two seasons. In September 1998, the Buffalo Blizzard
hired Fernandez. The team fired him on March 1, 2000. He then moved to the Cleveland Crunch
as an assistant coach. When the Crunch fired head coach Bruce Miller
in March 2001, Fernandez served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
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 professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. He coached in both the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
and NPSL and was the 1994 CISL Coach of the Year.
Youth
Born in San Francisco, Fernandez spent much of his youth in Hawaii. He played both soccer and football in high school and was offered a football scholorship by the University of the Pacific but chose to attend Cal State Hayward instead. Fernandez played soccer at Hayward from 1979 to 1983. He was a 1982 and 1983 NCAA Division II First Team All American and has been inducted into the CSU East Bay Athletic Hall of Fame.Professional
In 1983, the Chicago StingChicago 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...
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:...
drafted Fernandez but he did not sign with them. In October 1983, the Tacoma Stars had the first selection in the Major Indoor Soccer League Draft but swapped their pick with the Cleveland Force. The Crunch used the pick to select Fernandez. Fernandez played only six games over two seasons with the Force before being released in October 1985. On December 27, 1985, the Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers were a soccer team based out of Los Angeles that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1982 to 1989.-History:Major Indoor Soccer League awarded a Los Angeles franchise to Jerry Buss on June 24, 1982. Buss had purchased the Philadelphia Fever and wanted to move it to...
for the remainder of the season. He ended up playing two seasons in Los Angeles. In 1987, Fernandez joined the San Diego Sockers as a free agent. On July 30, 1990, he moved to the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
as a free agent. In 1992, the Crunch moved to the National Professional Soccer League. In 1994, he became the head coach of the Anaheim Splash
Anaheim Splash
The Anaheim Splash was a U.S. indoor soccer team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League . It was founded in 1992 as the Los Angeles United, but was sold after the season. The new ownership moved the team to Anaheim, California and renamed it the Anaheim Splash...
in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
. NPSL rules prohibited players and coaches from the CISL to compete in the NPSL. Therefore, the Crunch released Fernandez. In 1995, he returned to the NPSL when he signed with the Cincinnati Silverbacks
Cincinnati Silverbacks
The Cincinnati Silverbacks was an indoor soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio that competed in the National Professional Soccer League. They performed under the leadership of All-Star goalkeeper, Carlos Pena. Other star players included Gino DiFlorio , Franklin McIntosh, and Dennis Brose...
.
National team
In 1981, he played two games with the United States U-20 men's national soccer teamUnited States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
at the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship
1981 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship, the third edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in Australia from 3 to 18 October 1981. The tournament took place in six venues—where a total of 32 matches were played...
. He was a member of the United States national futsal team
United States national futsal team
The United States national futsal team is the futsal team that represents that United States at international competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and affiliated with CONCACAF. The U.S. Futsal Federation was founded in 1981 and the first international futsal match...
at both the 1992
1992 FIFA Futsal World Championship
The 1992 edition of the FIFA Futsal World Championship was held in Hong Kong. It was the second world championship held under the aegis of football's world governing body.- Qualified nations :- Venues :- Squads :...
and 1996 FIFA Futsal World Championship
1996 FIFA Futsal World Championship
The 1996 edition of the FIFA Futsal World Championship was held in Spain. It was the third world championship held under the aegis of football's world governing body.- Venues :- Group A :--------- Group B :--------...
.
Coach
In 1994, Fernandez became the head coach of the Anaheim SplashAnaheim Splash
The Anaheim Splash was a U.S. indoor soccer team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League . It was founded in 1992 as the Los Angeles United, but was sold after the season. The new ownership moved the team to Anaheim, California and renamed it the Anaheim Splash...
of the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
. He took the team, to the second best record in the league and was named the 1994 CISL Coach of the Year. In September 1996, Fernandez became a player-coach with the Cincinnati Silverbacks
Cincinnati Silverbacks
The Cincinnati Silverbacks was an indoor soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio that competed in the National Professional Soccer League. They performed under the leadership of All-Star goalkeeper, Carlos Pena. Other star players included Gino DiFlorio , Franklin McIntosh, and Dennis Brose...
. He coached the Silverbacks for two seasons. In September 1998, the Buffalo Blizzard
Buffalo Blizzard
The Buffalo Blizzard was an indoor soccer team based in Buffalo, New York. The team was a member of the now defunct NPSL from 1992 to 2001. From 1992-1996, the team played at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, and they moved to HSBC Arena in 1996 where they played until 2001.The team was originally...
hired Fernandez. The team fired him on March 1, 2000. He then moved to the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
as an assistant coach. When the Crunch fired head coach Bruce Miller
Bruce Miller (soccer)
Bruce Miller is a retired Canadian soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, and Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned eight caps with the Canadian national team and coached the Cleveland Crunch to two National Professional Soccer League titles...
in March 2001, Fernandez served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.