Mike Fox (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Michael “Mike” Fox is a retired American soccer midfielder
. He began his professional career with the New York Cosmos
in 1983 and ended it with the Los Angeles Heat
in 1994. In between those two teams, he played for numerous teams in multiple indoor and outdoor league. He also earned seventeen caps with the U.S. national team and was a member of the U.S. 1984 Olympic soccer team.
where he played on the men’s soccer team. He was a prolific scorer during his college career, netting 10 goals in 1980, 11 in 1981 and 17 in 1982. He also holds the school’s season record for assists with 13 in 1980. In 1982, Fox was selected as a second team All American.
of the North American Soccer League
selected Fox in the 1983 NASL College Draft. He played with the team from 1983 to 1984. Fox played one season with the Las Vegas Americans
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
from 1984 to 1985. He played seven games, scoring one goal with the Wichita Wings
during the 1993-1994 National Professional Soccer League season. He played the 1986 Western Soccer Alliance season with the Los Angeles Heat
. In August 1990, he signed a three year contract with the California Emperors of the American Professional Soccer League
. However, the Emperors folded at the end of the season. In February 1991, he signed with the St. Louis Storm
. In October 1991, he moved to the Milwaukee Wave
of the National Professional Soccer League. In January 1992,he suffered a season ending knee injury. He also spent two seasons, 1993 and 1994 with the Los Angeles Salsa
of the American Professional Soccer League
.
. During those two years, he was the team’s leading scorer. He played all three U.S. games at the 1984 Summer Olympics
While the IOC allowed professionals at the 1984 Olympics, FIFA
does not the games as full internationals. Therefore, these games and Fox’s goals in them to not count as part of his stats with the national team. Fox earned seventeen caps with the national team
between 1984 and 1988. His last official U.S. game was a scoreless tie with Ecuador
on June 12, 1988.
He coaches for United F.C., a youth club, in California.
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. He began his professional career with the New York Cosmos
New York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
in 1983 and ended it with the Los Angeles Heat
Los Angeles Heat
Los Angeles Heat joined the Western Soccer Alliance in 1986. They joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the WSL merged with the American Soccer League...
in 1994. In between those two teams, he played for numerous teams in multiple indoor and outdoor league. He also earned seventeen caps with the U.S. national team and was a member of the U.S. 1984 Olympic soccer team.
College
Fox attended college at Cal State FullertonCalifornia State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton is a public university located in Fullerton, California. It is the largest institution in the CSU System by enrollment, it offers long-distance education and adult-degree programs...
where he played on the men’s soccer team. He was a prolific scorer during his college career, netting 10 goals in 1980, 11 in 1981 and 17 in 1982. He also holds the school’s season record for assists with 13 in 1980. In 1982, Fox was selected as a second team All American.
Professional
The New York CosmosNew York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
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:...
selected Fox in the 1983 NASL College Draft. He played with the team from 1983 to 1984. Fox played one season with the Las Vegas Americans
Las Vegas Americans
The Las Vegas Americans were a soccer team based out of Las Vegas that played in the Major Soccer League. They played only one season, 1984 and lost in the first round of the championship that year. The Americans finished their only season in the league with a 30-18 record earning them second place...
of the 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...
from 1984 to 1985. He played seven games, scoring one goal with the Wichita Wings
Wichita Wings
This article is about the original team. For the current team, see Wichita Wings .The Wichita Wings were a professional indoor soccer franchise based in Wichita, Kansas. The Wings were admitted to the Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team on August 21, 1979...
during the 1993-1994 National Professional Soccer League season. He played the 1986 Western Soccer Alliance season with the Los Angeles Heat
Los Angeles Heat
Los Angeles Heat joined the Western Soccer Alliance in 1986. They joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the WSL merged with the American Soccer League...
. In August 1990, he signed a three year contract with the California Emperors of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
. However, the Emperors folded at the end of the season. In February 1991, he signed with the St. Louis Storm
St. Louis Storm
The St. Louis Storm were a soccer team based out of St. Louis that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They played from 1989 to 1992. Their home arena was St...
. In October 1991, he moved to the Milwaukee Wave
Milwaukee Wave
The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League....
of the National Professional Soccer League. In January 1992,he suffered a season ending knee injury. He also spent two seasons, 1993 and 1994 with the Los Angeles Salsa
Los Angeles Salsa
The Los Angeles Salsa was an American Professional Soccer League franchise. The club played on the campus of California State University, Fullerton at Titan Stadium in a suburb of Orange County, California...
of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
.
National and Olympic teams
While playing for the Cosmos, Fox also played for the U.S. Olympic Team as it prepared for the 1984 OlympicsUnited States at the 1984 Summer Olympics
The United States was the host nation of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. It was the nineteenth time that Team USA participated, having boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics...
. During those two years, he was the team’s leading scorer. He played all three U.S. games at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics started on July 29 and ended on August 11. It featured only a men's tournament, as women's football had yet to become an Olympic event. It was the first Olympic football competition in which professionals were allowed...
While the IOC allowed professionals at the 1984 Olympics, FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
does not the games as full internationals. Therefore, these games and Fox’s goals in them to not count as part of his stats with the national team. Fox earned seventeen caps with the 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...
between 1984 and 1988. His last official U.S. game was a scoreless tie with Ecuador
Ecuador national football team
The Ecuadorian national football team represents Ecuador in international football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation. They generally play official home matches at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, but often play friendlies in other stadiums around the country...
on June 12, 1988.
He coaches for United F.C., a youth club, in California.