Piotr Nowak
Encyclopedia
Piotr Nowak is a Polish
former professional soccer player. He is currently the head coach
of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer
.
Nowak enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe, playing for Polish clubs such as Zawisza Bydgoszcz
and Widzew Łódź, before going on to play in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany. He was voted one of the best players in the Bundesliga for the 1995–96 season while playing with 1860 Munich. He moved to the United States in 1998 and played four years with Chicago Fire.
Nowak was also an important member of the Poland national football team
throughout the 1990s, earning 24 caps, serving as national captain for several years, and being voted Polish Player of the Year in 1996.
As a coach, he is a former assistant coach of the United States men's national soccer team
under Bob Bradley
, and former head coach of United States U-23 men's national soccer team.
, Motor Lublin
, and Widzew Łódź before leaving Poland for Bakırköyspor
of the Turkish
first division in 1990. Nowak then played for Young Boys Berne
of Switzerland
and Dynamo Dresden
before moving to the Bundesliga
in 1994 by signing with FC Kaiserslautern. After that, Nowak moved to 1860 Munich
, where he would play until 1998, and with whom he was voted the best playmaker of the Bundesliga for the 1995–96 season, as well as Polish player of the year in 1996.
In 1998, Nowak moved to the United States
to play in Major League Soccer
for the Chicago Fire
. In their inaugural season, Nowak led the Fire to a victory in the MLS Cup
, and was soon recognized as one of the best players in the league. He also led the Fire to two US Open Cup victories, playing 114 league games for the team, registering 26 goals and 46 assists. Nowak played with the Fire until 2002, when, due to salary cap constraints, he was traded to the New England Revolution
, which immediately spurred his retirement.
, which he captained for three years, and for whom he played 24 games and scored three goals.
starting in the 2004 season. He quickly pulled the team together and led D.C. to their fourth MLS Cup.
On December 20, 2006, the Washington Post reported that Nowak would be leaving United to act as assistant to Bob Bradley with the United States Men's national team, and the Under-23 Men's national team, which competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On May 28, 2009, Nowak resigned from his position with the United States Men's National Team. Subsequently, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Nowak would be the first head coach of the MLS' Philadelphia Union when it begins play in 2010. On Friday, May 29, 2009 Nowak was introduced to the Philadelphia media.
. In 2005, Nowak was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI
.
For his contribution to promotion of Poland
abroad and achievements as a coach, he received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in 2005.
Updated on October 20, 2011.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
former professional soccer player. He is currently the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Nowak enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe, playing for Polish clubs such as Zawisza Bydgoszcz
Zawisza Bydgoszcz
Zawisza Bydgoszcz is a military-sponsored sports club from Bydgoszcz, Poland, founded in 1946. Its name commemorates a legendary Polish 15th century knight, Zawisza Czarny...
and Widzew Łódź, before going on to play in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany. He was voted one of the best players in the Bundesliga for the 1995–96 season while playing with 1860 Munich. He moved to the United States in 1998 and played four years with Chicago Fire.
Nowak was also an important member of the Poland national football team
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
throughout the 1990s, earning 24 caps, serving as national captain for several years, and being voted Polish Player of the Year in 1996.
As a coach, he is a former assistant coach of the United States men's national soccer 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...
under Bob Bradley
Bob Bradley
Robert "Bob" Bradley is an American soccer coach and the current manager of the Egypt national football team, taking over in September 2011. He previously managed the United States men's national soccer team...
, and former head coach of United States U-23 men's national soccer team.
Club
Nowak began playing professional football at the age of 15, when he debuted in 1979 for Włókniarz Pabianice in his native Poland, with whom he played his first four years. Nowak would go on to play for Zawisza BydgoszczZawisza Bydgoszcz
Zawisza Bydgoszcz is a military-sponsored sports club from Bydgoszcz, Poland, founded in 1946. Its name commemorates a legendary Polish 15th century knight, Zawisza Czarny...
, Motor Lublin
Motor Lublin
Motor Lublin is a Polish professional football team based in Lublin. The club was founded in December 1950 with their nickname The Yellow, White and Blues reflecting their official colours...
, and Widzew Łódź before leaving Poland for Bakırköyspor
Bakirköyspor
Bakırköyspor is a Turkish sports club from Bakırköy, Istanbul. The club was founded in 1949. The colours of Bakırköyspor are green-black. Football team of Bakırköyspor played in Turkish Super League for 3 years, but after several unsuccessful seasons, Bakırköyspor was relegated to amateur league in...
of the Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
first division in 1990. Nowak then played for Young Boys Berne
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and Dynamo Dresden
Dynamo Dresden
SG Dynamo Dresden are a German association football club, based in Dresden, Saxony. They were founded in 1950, as a club affiliated with the East German police, and became one of the most popular and successful clubs in East German football, winning eight league titles...
before moving to the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
in 1994 by signing with FC Kaiserslautern. After that, Nowak moved to 1860 Munich
TSV 1860 München
Turn- und Sportverein München von 1860, commonly known as TSV 1860 München or 1860 Munich, is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. The club's football team plays in the Second Bundesliga, after relegation from the Bundesliga following the 2003–04 season...
, where he would play until 1998, and with whom he was voted the best playmaker of the Bundesliga for the 1995–96 season, as well as Polish player of the year in 1996.
In 1998, Nowak moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to play in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
for the Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire (soccer)
Chicago Fire Soccer Club is an American professional soccer club based in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview, Illinois. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. In their inaugural season, Nowak led the Fire to a victory in the MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
, and was soon recognized as one of the best players in the league. He also led the Fire to two US Open Cup victories, playing 114 league games for the team, registering 26 goals and 46 assists. Nowak played with the Fire until 2002, when, due to salary cap constraints, he was traded 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...
, which immediately spurred his retirement.
International
Nowak was also an important player for the Polish national teamPoland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
, which he captained for three years, and for whom he played 24 games and scored three goals.
Coaching career
After a year off, Nowak was appointed as head coach of D.C. UnitedD.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. 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 since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
starting in the 2004 season. He quickly pulled the team together and led D.C. to their fourth MLS Cup.
On December 20, 2006, the Washington Post reported that Nowak would be leaving United to act as assistant to Bob Bradley with the United States Men's national team, and the Under-23 Men's national team, which competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On May 28, 2009, Nowak resigned from his position with the United States Men's National Team. Subsequently, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Nowak would be the first head coach of the MLS' Philadelphia Union when it begins play in 2010. On Friday, May 29, 2009 Nowak was introduced to the Philadelphia media.
Honors
In 2003, Nowak was named the first member of the Ring of Fire, the highest honor the Chicago Fire bestows, and his name and number 10 are displayed high at midfield at their stadium, Toyota ParkToyota Park (Bridgeview)
Toyota Park is a soccer-specific stadium located at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois. It is the home stadium of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, members of Major League Soccer . Toyota Park was developed at a cost of around $100 million. The facility opened June 11, 2006...
. In 2005, Nowak was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI
MLS All-Time Best XI
In 2005, as part of its tenth anniversary celebrations, Major League Soccer, the United States' top soccer league, named its All-Time Best XI, a selection of the best eleven players in the history of the league...
.
For his contribution to promotion of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
abroad and achievements as a coach, he received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in 2005.
Manager
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | |||
| D.C. United D.C. United D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. 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 since its inception, in 1996.Over the... |
2004 | 2006 | 94 | 42 | 27 | 25 | |
| United States U-23 | 2007 | 2009 | |||||
| Philadelphia Union | 2010 | Present | 63 | 19 | 23 | 21 | |
| Total | 157 | 61 | 50 | 46 | |||
Updated on October 20, 2011.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 6 May 1990 | Soldier Field Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... , Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... , USA |
2–0 | Win | Friendly | ||||||
| 2. | 25 April 1995 | Górnik Zabrze Stadium, Zabrze Zabrze Zabrze is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union is a metropolis with a population of around 2 million... , Poland Poland Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north... |
4–3 | Win | UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying | ||||||
| 3. | 7 June 1995 | Górnik Zabrze Stadium, Zabrze Zabrze Zabrze is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union is a metropolis with a population of around 2 million... , Poland Poland Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north... |
5–0 | Win | UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying | ||||||
| Correct as of 11 October 2010 | |||||||||||