Mark Longwell
Encyclopedia
Mark Longwell was an American
soccer defender
who played professionally in the North American Soccer League
and United Soccer League
.
in Trumbull, Connecticut
where he a two-time All-State selection. He then played college soccer
for Fairfield University
where he was named All New England and the Tri-State Conference MVP in his junior and senior years. Longwell played with Slough Town FC in Slough, England in 1978, trained with Liverpool FC in the summer of 1980, and trained with Chelsea FC in the summer of 1982.
in 1978 in the English Isthmian League
. He then returned to the United States for a trial with the Cleveland Force of Major Indoor Soccer League
. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdiesof the North American Soccer League
. He made his professional debut on August 5, 1983 against the Chicago Sting, in a 4–3 win. He also played for the 1983–84 Tampa Bay Rowdies Indoor team. On April 3, 1984, Longwell signed with the Fort Lauderdale Sun
of the newly established United Soccer League
. The Sun went on to win the 1984 USL championship with Longwell as captain.
B Team which toured Malaysia and Singapore in 1983.
in 1996. Longwell also has a personal best in the Ironman triathlon of 11:36 in the 1993 Ironman Canada race in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. Along the way, Longwell raced in marathons/ultras in 9 different countries. In 2004, he competed in the Race Across America bike race in the two man division with John Delia of Middletown, CT. The team crossed the USA (3000 miles- San Diego to Atlantic City) in 8 days, 15 hours and 42 minutes to finish in third place in their division
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer defender
Defender (association 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 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 United Soccer League
United Soccer League
The United Soccer League was a professional soccer league in the United States in the mid-1980s.After the demise of the second incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1983, four ASL teams founded the USL...
.
Youth and College
Longwell played high school soccer at Trumbull High SchoolTrumbull High School
-History:Trumbull High School was founded in 1961 following a population increase in Trumbull during the 1950s. The high school was originally situated at 4630 Madison Avenue, in the building currently serving as Madison Middle School. As the 1960s progressed, the town was compelled to commission a...
in Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the New England region of the United States, is bordered by the towns of Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Easton along Connecticut's Gold Coast. The population was 36,018 according to the 2010 census.Family Circle magazine...
where he a two-time All-State selection. He then 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...
for Fairfield University
Fairfield Stags men's soccer
The Fairfield Stags men's soccer team represents Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut and competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I. The Stags play their home games at Lessing Field on the campus of Fairfield University...
where he was named All New England and the Tri-State Conference MVP in his junior and senior years. Longwell played with Slough Town FC in Slough, England in 1978, trained with Liverpool FC in the summer of 1980, and trained with Chelsea FC in the summer of 1982.
Professional
During Fairfield, Longwell played for Slough Town F.C.Slough Town F.C.
Slough Town F.C. is an English semi-professional football club. The club was officially founded in 1890 after the amalgamation of three local clubs, Swifts, Slough Albion and Young Men's Friendly Society, who between them forged a new club, Slough F.C....
in 1978 in the English Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
. He then returned to the United States for a trial with the Cleveland Force 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...
. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdiesof 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:...
. He made his professional debut on August 5, 1983 against the Chicago Sting, in a 4–3 win. He also played for the 1983–84 Tampa Bay Rowdies Indoor team. On April 3, 1984, Longwell signed with the Fort Lauderdale Sun
Fort Lauderdale Sun
Fort Lauderdale Sun was a U.S. soccer team which played two seasons in the United Soccer League. In 1983, the team was known as the Fort Lauderdale Sun, but in 1985, changed its name to the South Florida Sun.-Origins:...
of the newly established United Soccer League
United Soccer League
The United Soccer League was a professional soccer league in the United States in the mid-1980s.After the demise of the second incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1983, four ASL teams founded the USL...
. The Sun went on to win the 1984 USL championship with Longwell as captain.
International
Longwell was a member of the United States men's national soccer teamUnited 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...
B Team which toured Malaysia and Singapore in 1983.
Runner
After professional soccer, Longwell turned to running and triathlons, competing in over 300 races, including 56 marathons/ultramarathons. He has a PR of 3:13 for the marathon, 4:29 for 50K, 8:06 for 50 miles and 22 hours, 6 minutes for 100 miles in the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance RunVermont 100 Mile Endurance Run
The Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run is a 100 mile long ultramarathon held annually in July at Silver Hill Meadow in West Windsor, Vermont. It is one of the four 100 mile races that comprise the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. It is also the only known ultra race in the USA where entrants run...
in 1996. Longwell also has a personal best in the Ironman triathlon of 11:36 in the 1993 Ironman Canada race in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. Along the way, Longwell raced in marathons/ultras in 9 different countries. In 2004, he competed in the Race Across America bike race in the two man division with John Delia of Middletown, CT. The team crossed the USA (3000 miles- San Diego to Atlantic City) in 8 days, 15 hours and 42 minutes to finish in third place in their division