Thomas Dooley
Encyclopedia
Thomas Dooley is a retired German-American soccer defender
and defensive midfielder, a long-time member and former captain of the United States national team
.
. Prior to that, he had played as a forward with amateur team FK Pirmasens. He moved to midfield with Homburg and helped the team move steadily up the German leagues, until they finally reached the 1. Bundesliga
. He moved to Kaiserslautern
in 1988 and helped them to the German Cup in 1990 and the Bundesliga title in 1991. After the 1994 World Cup, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen
, and to Schalke 04
a year after that, helping them to the 1997 UEFA Cup
title. At the end of the season, he made his move to Major League Soccer
(MLS), signing with the Columbus Crew
. Dooley would spend three seasons in Columbus, and was named to the MLS Best XI
in both 1997 and 1998. In 2000, Thomas was traded to the MetroStars
for Mike Duhaney
, partially to help support Lothar Matthäus
' adjustment to the United States. Dooley played one year for the Metros before retiring from soccer altogether. He then went back to Germany, becoming the head coach of FC Saarbrücken
in 2002 and 2003.
, Dooley was discovered; he assumed US citizenship in 1992, and made his first international appearance on May 30 against Ireland
. Dooley became a regular for the US almost immediately, being named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
in 1993 and then playing every minute at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
. After John Harkes
was dismissed from the U.S. national team, Dooley was named captain for the 1998 FIFA World Cup
, and started every game for the U.S. On February 21, 1999, Dooley was given a send-off match by the United States in a friendly against Chile
. He would end his international career with 81 caps and seven goals. Dooley was also recently called by new men's national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann to be an assistant coach in the match against Mexico on August 10, 2011.
Dooley currently lives in Laguna Niguel
, California
, where he is the Player Development Program Manager with South Coast Bayern Futbol Club.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and defensive midfielder, a long-time member and former captain of 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...
.
Professional
Dooley, born to a German mother and a U.S. Army father, started his professional career in 1984 with third division club FC HomburgFC Homburg
FC 08 Homburg is a German association football club based in Homburg, Saarland. The club was founded on 15 June 1908 as Fussball Club Homburg by a group of seventeen young men at the local Hohenburg pub.- History :...
. Prior to that, he had played as a forward with amateur team FK Pirmasens. He moved to midfield with Homburg and helped the team move steadily up the German leagues, until they finally reached the 1. 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...
. He moved to Kaiserslautern
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
in 1988 and helped them to the German Cup in 1990 and the Bundesliga title in 1991. After the 1994 World Cup, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen is a German football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the most well-known department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members also participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball and other sports.-Origins and early years:On 27 November...
, and to Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
a year after that, helping them to the 1997 UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup 1996-97
The UEFA Cup 1996-97 was won by Schalke 04 in penalties over Internazionale.This was the last year in which the UEFA Cup Final was played in a two-legged, home-and-away format...
title. At the end of the season, he made his move to 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...
(MLS), signing with 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...
. Dooley would spend three seasons in Columbus, and was named to the MLS Best XI
MLS Best XI
The MLS Best XI is an acknowledgement of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer in Canada and the United States.-Winners:*Players in bold text also won the Major League Soccer MVP Award award for that season....
in both 1997 and 1998. In 2000, Thomas was traded to the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
for Mike Duhaney
Mike Duhaney
Mike Duhaney is a retired American soccer player who played in Major League Soccer and the German third division. He was the 1997 Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year....
, partially to help support Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Herbert Matthäus , is a German football manager and former player.In 1990, he was named European Footballer of the Year and World Soccer Player of the Year after captaining West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup...
' adjustment to the United States. Dooley played one year for the Metros before retiring from soccer altogether. He then went back to Germany, becoming the head coach of FC Saarbrücken
1. FC Saarbrücken
1. FC Saarbrücken is a German association football club based in the city of Saarbrücken, Saarland. The club began its existence as the football department of Turnverein Malstatt formed in 1903...
in 2002 and 2003.
National team
As U.S. Soccer started to look abroad for players eligible to play for its national team in advance of its hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, Dooley was discovered; he assumed US citizenship in 1992, and made his first international appearance on May 30 against Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. Dooley became a regular for the US almost immediately, being named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
The U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year is given by the United States Soccer Federation to the American soccer players judged best in the calendar year. It is the longest running major American soccer award...
in 1993 and then playing every minute at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
. After John Harkes
John Harkes
John Harkes is an American former soccer player. Harkes was the first American ever to play in the English Premier League, and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He appeared in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, and won two MLS Cup...
was dismissed from the U.S. national team, Dooley was named captain for the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, and started every game for the U.S. On February 21, 1999, Dooley was given a send-off match by the United States in a friendly 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...
. He would end his international career with 81 caps and seven goals. Dooley was also recently called by new men's national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann to be an assistant coach in the match against Mexico on August 10, 2011.
Dooley currently lives in Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel, California
Laguna Niguel is an affluent city located in southern Orange County, California. The name "Laguna Niguel" is derived from the Spanish word "Laguna" which means lagoon, and the word "Nigueli" which was the name of a Juaneño Indian village that was once located on Aliso Creek. The population was...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he is the Player Development Program Manager with South Coast Bayern Futbol Club.
1. FC Kaiserslautern
- Fußball-BundesligaFußball-BundesligaThe 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...
: 1990–91 - DFB-PokalDFB-PokalThe DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
: 1989–90
Individual
- Honda Player of the YearHonda Player of the YearThe Honda Player of the Year recognizes the best player on the United States Men's National Soccer Team, as chosen by the national sports media.The winner of the Honda Player of the Year award receives a new Honda motor vehicle....
: 1993 - U.S. Soccer Athlete of the YearU.S. Soccer Athlete of the YearThe U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year is given by the United States Soccer Federation to the American soccer players judged best in the calendar year. It is the longest running major American soccer award...
: 1993 - MLS Best XIMLS Best XIThe MLS Best XI is an acknowledgement of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer in Canada and the United States.-Winners:*Players in bold text also won the Major League Soccer MVP Award award for that season....
: 1997, 1998 - National Soccer Hall of FameNational Soccer Hall of FameThe National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
: 2010