Joe Martinelli
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Joe" Martinelli was an American
soccer forward
. Martinelli spent thirteen seasons in the American Soccer League
and earned three caps with the U.S. national team
in 1937.
of the American Soccer League
(ASL). In 1934 and 1935, the Rangers finished runner-up in the U.S. National Challenge Cup. After playing in the 1935 Challenge Cup final, Martinelli moved to the New York Americans
where he won the 1935–1936 league title. In 1937, Martinelli finally won the Challenge Cup title when the Americans defeated the St. Louis Shamrocks. Martinelli then went on to play with several other ASL teams, including Brooklyn St. Mary's Celtic
, the Philadelphia German-Americans, Brooklyn Wanderers
and Kearny Scots
. He retired in 1947.
, he did not enter the lone U.S. game, a 7–1 loss to Italy
in the first round. However, Martinelli went on to earn three caps with the U.S. national team
in 1937. All three were losses to Mexico
in September.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. Martinelli spent thirteen seasons in 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...
and earned three caps with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in 1937.
American Soccer League
In 1934, Martinelli began his professional career when he signed with the Pawtucket RangersPawtucket Rangers
J. & P. Coats was an American soccer club team of the J. & P. Coats Company based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island having been founded in 1900.The club played won the Rhode Island League in 1914 then was an inaugural member of the semi-pro Southern New England Soccer League...
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...
(ASL). In 1934 and 1935, the Rangers finished runner-up in the U.S. National Challenge Cup. After playing in the 1935 Challenge Cup final, Martinelli moved to the New York Americans
New York Americans (soccer)
The New York Americans were an American soccer club founded in 1931. Based in New York, New York, it played in both the first and second American Soccer Leagues.-History:...
where he won the 1935–1936 league title. In 1937, Martinelli finally won the Challenge Cup title when the Americans defeated the St. Louis Shamrocks. Martinelli then went on to play with several other ASL teams, including Brooklyn St. Mary's Celtic
Brooklyn St. Mary's Celtic
Brooklyn Celtic was a name used by at least two U.S. soccer teams. The first was an early twentieth century amateur team which was formed in August 1910 and dominated the New York Amateur Association Football League from 1912 to 1917. The second was a member of the professional American Soccer...
, the Philadelphia German-Americans, Brooklyn Wanderers
Brooklyn Wanderers
The Brooklyn Wanderers was a U.S. soccer team which was a founding member of the National Association Football League in the late nineteenth century. It later joined the American Soccer League.-History:...
and Kearny Scots
Kearny Scots
The Kearny Scots are an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey. The Scots have played in both the National Association Football League and the second American Soccer League. When not members of those leagues, the Scots competed in lower level city leagues...
. He retired in 1947.
National team
While Martinelli was selected for the U.S. squad at the 1934 FIFA World Cup1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
, he did not enter the lone U.S. game, a 7–1 loss to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
in the first round. However, Martinelli went on to earn three caps with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in 1937. All three were losses 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...
in September.