Mike Kirmse
Encyclopedia
Michael Kirmse is a retired U.S. soccer player who played many positions on the field for his teams predominantly as a right defender
, but also often played as a midfielder and forward. He played for two seasons in the Germany 3rd division, Regionalliga, seven seasons in the USISL, and two seasons in the Indoor NPSL.
Kirmse played soccer at Clarkson University
for four seasons from 1990 and 1993 and was inducted into the Clarkson Hall of Fame in 2005.
with a team FSV Salmrohr
. With FSV Salmohr, the team won the Rhineland Cup in 1996. On July 2, 1997, Kirmse signed with the Rochester Rhinos in the USL A-League
and played for five seasons with the Rhinos (1997–2001) While with the Rhinos, the team won three A-League
championships (1998, 2000, and 2001) and was a finalist in 1999 losing to the Minnesota Thunder
. Although the loss to the Minnesota Thunder
was a disappointment in 1999, Kirmse was part of the Rhinos team which took the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
becoming the only second division club to beat an MLS team (Colorado Rapids
). In that final game Kirmse had an assist on the second goal to Yari Allnutt
in the 90th minute. Through the U.S. Open Cup campaign in 1999, the Rhinos beat three other MLS teams. Against the Chicago Fire, Kirmse had the game winning assist to another Allnutt goal in a 1-0 win. Against the Dallas Burn, Kirmse had the game winning goal in the 110th minute in golden goal overtime, when Mauro Biello
hit a free kick to Darren Tilley
who headed the ball off the cross bar and Kirmse scored on the rebound. The Rhinos then went on to beat the Columbus Crew
in the semi-finals. While playing with the Rochester Rhinos, from 1997–1999, Kirmse also played indoor soccer in the National Professional Soccer League
(NPSL) with the Buffalo Blizzard
. He also has a horse named Molly.
Kirmse took one year off from playing professionally when he decided to play with the new expansion team in the USISL 2nd division, the Syracuse Salty Dogs
. Kirmse played in 2003 and three games in 2004 with the Syracuse Salty Dogs. After the 3rd game with the Syracuse Salty Dogs, Kirmse was sent to the Virginia Beach Mariners
and played out the remainder of his professional career with the Mariners.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, but also often played as a midfielder and forward. He played for two seasons in the Germany 3rd division, Regionalliga, seven seasons in the USISL, and two seasons in the Indoor NPSL.
Kirmse played soccer at Clarkson University
Clarkson University
-The Clarkson School:The Clarkson School, a special division of Clarkson University, was founded in 1978 as a unique educational opportunity. The School offers students an early entrance opportunity into college, replacing the typical senior year of high school with a year of college...
for four seasons from 1990 and 1993 and was inducted into the Clarkson Hall of Fame in 2005.
Professional career
Kirmse started his professional career in 1995, when he received an opportunity to play in the German 3rd division Regionalliga West/SüdwestRegionalliga West/Südwest
The Regionalliga West/Südwest was the third tier of the German football league system in the states of Saarland, Rheinland-Pfalz and Nordrhein-Westfalen from 1994 to 2000.- Overview :...
with a team FSV Salmrohr
FSV Salmrohr
FSV Salmrohr is a German association football club in the village of Salmrohr, Rhineland-Palatinate. Founded in 1921, the small club has limited resources and has relied largely on local talent, but still managed two decades of play in the tier III Amateur Oberliga Südwest and Regionalliga...
. With FSV Salmohr, the team won the Rhineland Cup in 1996. On July 2, 1997, Kirmse signed with the Rochester Rhinos in the USL A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
and played for five seasons with the Rhinos (1997–2001) While with the Rhinos, the team won three A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
championships (1998, 2000, and 2001) and was a finalist in 1999 losing to the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
. Although the loss to the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
was a disappointment in 1999, Kirmse was part of the Rhinos team which took the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:Eight D3 Pro, four PDL, and four USASA teams start.-----Second round:Eight A-League enter....
becoming the only second division club to beat an MLS team (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...
). In that final game Kirmse had an assist on the second goal to Yari Allnutt
Yari Allnutt
Yari Allnutt is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in Mexico and the United States, including the American Professional Soccer League and Major League Soccer...
in the 90th minute. Through the U.S. Open Cup campaign in 1999, the Rhinos beat three other MLS teams. Against the Chicago Fire, Kirmse had the game winning assist to another Allnutt goal in a 1-0 win. Against the Dallas Burn, Kirmse had the game winning goal in the 110th minute in golden goal overtime, when Mauro Biello
Mauro Biello
Mauro Biello is now an assistant coach for the MLS-bound Montreal Impact and is best known for having been professional soccer player on the same team....
hit a free kick to Darren Tilley
Darren Tilley
Darren Tilley is an English football coach for USL-1 club Rochester Rhinos.-Playing career:Tilley played for York City F.C. in the English Third Division from 1991-1993. In 1997, Tilley began the season with the Toronto Lynx before being traded to the Montreal Impact...
who headed the ball off the cross bar and Kirmse scored on the rebound. The Rhinos then went on to beat the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
in the semi-finals. While playing with the Rochester Rhinos, from 1997–1999, Kirmse also played indoor soccer in the National Professional Soccer League
National Professional Soccer League
The National Professional Soccer League was a professional indoor soccer league in the USA. It started out as the American Indoor Soccer Association in 1984 but changed its name to the National Professional Soccer League in 1990...
(NPSL) with the Buffalo Blizzard
Buffalo Blizzard
The Buffalo Blizzard was an indoor soccer team based in Buffalo, New York. The team was a member of the now defunct NPSL from 1992 to 2001. From 1992-1996, the team played at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, and they moved to HSBC Arena in 1996 where they played until 2001.The team was originally...
. He also has a horse named Molly.
Kirmse took one year off from playing professionally when he decided to play with the new expansion team in the USISL 2nd division, the Syracuse Salty Dogs
Syracuse Salty Dogs
The Syracuse Salty Dogs were a professional men's soccer team based in Syracuse, New York. The club were a member of the USL A-League, playing only two seasons from 2003-2004. The club was owned and operated by the Syracuse Pro Sports Group and played most home games at P&C Stadium...
. Kirmse played in 2003 and three games in 2004 with the Syracuse Salty Dogs. After the 3rd game with the Syracuse Salty Dogs, Kirmse was sent to the Virginia Beach Mariners
Virginia Beach Mariners
The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club, who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second division in the US Soccer hierarchy behind Major League Soccer...
and played out the remainder of his professional career with the Mariners.