Hugh O'Neill (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Hugh O'Neill is a retired American soccer player who professionally in the North American Soccer League
, American Soccer League
and Major Indoor Soccer League.
O'Neill graduated from Essex Catholic High School
before playing soccer at the University of Bridgeport
where he was a 1973 and 1975 Honorable Mention (third team) All American soccer player. In 1976, O’Neill turned professional with the Hartford Bicentennials of the North American Soccer League
. That fall, the Bicentennials sent him on loan to Rangers F.C.
of the Scottish League. The Bicentennials failed to perceive that O'Neill's Roman Catholic faith and his family history of supporting Celtic
could present a problem. Despite this, O'Neill played every reserve game that season, except for the games against the Celtic's reserves. The Bicentennials became the Connecticut Bicentennials
for the 1977 season. The Bicentennials sent him to the Dallas Tornado
during the season. In 1978, he became the first player signed by the Memphis Rogues
. He later played for the Carolina Lightnin'
of the American Soccer League
. In September 1981, he scored the game winning goal as the Lightnin' took the ASL championship. He continued with the Lightnin' in 1982, but lost part of the season when he returned to New Jersey to be with his dying father. He played the 1984-1985 indoor season with the Cleveland Force
of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
O'Neill played for the 1976 U.S. Olympic Soccer team during its unsuccessful qualification camaign for the Olympic tournament.
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:...
, American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
and Major Indoor Soccer League.
O'Neill graduated from Essex Catholic High School
Essex Catholic High School
Essex Catholic High School was a four-year Catholic high school located in Newark and East Orange, New Jersey. Essex Catholic High School opened in 1957...
before playing soccer at the University of Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport
The University of Bridgeport is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...
where he was a 1973 and 1975 Honorable Mention (third team) All American soccer player. In 1976, O’Neill turned professional with the Hartford Bicentennials 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:...
. That fall, the Bicentennials sent him on loan to Rangers F.C.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
of the Scottish League. The Bicentennials failed to perceive that O'Neill's Roman Catholic faith and his family history of supporting Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
could present a problem. Despite this, O'Neill played every reserve game that season, except for the games against the Celtic's reserves. The Bicentennials became the Connecticut Bicentennials
Connecticut Bicentennials
The Hartford Bicentennials was a soccer team based out of Hartford, Connecticut that played in the North American Soccer League. The team played at Dillon Stadium....
for the 1977 season. The Bicentennials sent him to the Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
during the season. In 1978, he became the first player signed by the Memphis Rogues
Memphis Rogues
The Memphis Rogues were a professional soccer team in the former North American Soccer League. They operated in the 1978, 1979, and 1980 seasons and played their home games in Memphis' Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.-History:...
. He later played for the Carolina Lightnin'
Carolina Lightnin'
The Carolina Lightnin was an American soccer club based in Charlotte, North Carolina that was a member of the American Soccer League. The Lightnin' played home matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Attendance at home games averaged 6,000 spectators...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. In September 1981, he scored the game winning goal as the Lightnin' took the ASL championship. He continued with the Lightnin' in 1982, but lost part of the season when he returned to New Jersey to be with his dying father. He played the 1984-1985 indoor season with the Cleveland Force
Cleveland Force (1978 – 1988)
The original Cleveland Force was one of the six charter franchises in the original Major Indoor Soccer League . The team played from 1978 to 1988 at the Richfield Coliseum, the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and occasionally drew crowds in excess of 20,000 in the mid-80's.Akron businessman Eric J...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
O'Neill played for the 1976 U.S. Olympic Soccer team during its unsuccessful qualification camaign for the Olympic tournament.