Leo Cullen (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Leo Cullen is a former American soccer defender
.
Cullen played college soccer
at the University of Maryland
, where he was ACC
player of the year first-team All-American
in 1997, his senior year. The Miami Fusion
made him the first draft pick in team history, taking Leo first overall in the 1998 MLS College Draft
. Cullen spent the next three and a half seasons in Miami (he left the team as the club's all-time leader in games and minutes). He was dealt to the New England Revolution
midway through the 2001 season, and played through 2003. After taking 2004 off to pursue his college degree, Cullen came back to MLS in 2005, his rights traded to the Colorado Rapids
. He retired from soccer after playing one season with the club. Cullen played a few times with DC United reserves in 2006 as a defender in an emergency capacity. At the MLS Superdraft, Mo Edu (the first pick) announced that Cullen was his agent.
Cullen has earned three caps for the United States national team
, his first coming February 21, 1999 against Chile
.
On January 7, 2010, Cullen was named the assistant men's coach at the United States Military Academy
at West Point, NY. Cullen and new Army head coach, Russell Payne, were teammates at the University of Maryland.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Cullen played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, where he was ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
player of the year first-team All-American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
in 1997, his senior year. The Miami Fusion
Miami Fusion
Miami Fusion F.C. was a professional soccer club located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that participated in Major League Soccer from 1998 to 2001. The club played in Lockhart Stadium, which was a former high school stadium converted into a soccer-specific stadium...
made him the first draft pick in team history, taking Leo first overall in the 1998 MLS College Draft
1998 MLS College Draft
The 1998 Major League Soccer College Draft was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 31 and February 1, 1998.-Format:On Saturday, January 31, 1997, Major League Soccer held the first round of its 1998 college draft during the halftime of the Umbro Select All-Star Classic at Lockhart Stadium. ...
. Cullen spent the next three and a half seasons in Miami (he left the team as the club's all-time leader in games and minutes). He was dealt to the New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
midway through the 2001 season, and played through 2003. After taking 2004 off to pursue his college degree, Cullen came back to MLS in 2005, his rights traded to the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
. He retired from soccer after playing one season with the club. Cullen played a few times with DC United reserves in 2006 as a defender in an emergency capacity. At the MLS Superdraft, Mo Edu (the first pick) announced that Cullen was his agent.
Cullen has earned three caps for the United States 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...
, his first coming February 21, 1999 against Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
.
On January 7, 2010, Cullen was named the assistant men's coach at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, NY. Cullen and new Army head coach, Russell Payne, were teammates at the University of Maryland.