Tom Alioto
Encyclopedia
Tom Alioto is a retired American soccer defender
who played in the North American Soccer League
, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association.
. Alioto also played soccer for Madison University High School
. In 1980, Tom signed with the Chicago Sting
in the North American Soccer League
. In 1982, he moved to the Oklahoma City Slickers
in the American Soccer League
. In the fall of 1982, Alioto signed with the Kansas City Comets
of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He played two seasons with the Comets before moving to the Milwaukee Wave
of the American Indoor Soccer Association. He was leading the team in scoring when he was injured, along with several other players, in January 1985. The Wave released him at the end of the season despite his being First Team All Star and he signed with the Louisville Thunder
. In 1986, he played for the independent Houston Dynamos
. In the fall of 1986, he became a player-assistant coach with the expansion Fort Wayne Flames
. In October 1987, the Flames sold Alioto's contract to the Wave for an undisclosed amount of cash. He then moved to the Hershey Impact
for the 1988-1989 season. In January 1990, Alioto rejoined the Wave. Alioto then dedicated himself to coaching and only played at the amateur level for several years. In 1994, Alioto both coached and played for Bavarian Leinenkugel when it went to the final of the 1994 U.S. Open Cup
. In April 1995, Alioto signed with the Milwaukee Rampage
of the USISL.
of the American Indoor Soccer Association as a player-assistant coach.]]. He was quickly elevated to head coach after original head coach Cliff Brown
took the team to a 2-3 start. In 1987, he moved to the Milwaukee Wave
as a player-assistant coach. In March 2009, Alioto joined the staff of the FC Milwaukee Nationals soccer club.
Alioto is a member of the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame.
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 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:...
, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association.
Player
Both Tom Alioto and his twin brother Tim both played extensively as youth players with the Milwaukee BavariansMilwaukee Bavarians
Milwaukee Bavarians is an American soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1929, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Midwest Division.The team plays its home games in the...
. Alioto also played soccer for Madison University High School
Madison University High School
Madison University High School is a high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, part of the Milwaukee Public Schools system. It changed its name in 1996 to reflect a higher emphasis on meeting academic standards....
. In 1980, Tom signed with the Chicago Sting
Chicago Sting
The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988...
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:...
. In 1982, he moved to the Oklahoma City Slickers
Oklahoma City Slickers
The Oklahoma City Slickers was an American soccer club based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that played in three lower division U.S. leagues, the American Soccer League, United Soccer League and USISL.-American Soccer League:...
in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. In the fall of 1982, Alioto signed with the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He played two seasons with the Comets before moving 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 American Indoor Soccer Association. He was leading the team in scoring when he was injured, along with several other players, in January 1985. The Wave released him at the end of the season despite his being First Team All Star and he signed with the Louisville Thunder
Louisville Thunder
Louisville Thunder was an indoor soccer club based in Louisville, Kentucky that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association. In their debut season of 1984-1985, goalkeeper Rick Schweizer won the 'Goalkeeper of the Year' award, and made it on to the All-Star team.-Players: Paul DiBernardo ...
. In 1986, he played for the independent Houston Dynamos
Houston Dynamos
Houston Dynamos was a U.S. soccer team which existed in various forms from 1983 to 1991. In 1991, the team’s owners changed the name to Houston International, but the team lasted only through the 1992 season before folding.-1984: United Soccer League:...
. In the fall of 1986, he became a player-assistant coach with the expansion Fort Wayne Flames
Fort Wayne Flames
The Fort Wayne Flames were an indoor soccer club based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association, playing home games at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum from 1986-1989....
. In October 1987, the Flames sold Alioto's contract to the Wave for an undisclosed amount of cash. He then moved to the Hershey Impact
Hershey Impact
The Hershey Impact was an indoor soccer club based in Hershey, Pennsylvania that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.The team played its home games at the Hersheypark Arena for all of its 3 seasons.-Staff & Ownership:...
for the 1988-1989 season. In January 1990, Alioto rejoined the Wave. Alioto then dedicated himself to coaching and only played at the amateur level for several years. In 1994, Alioto both coached and played for Bavarian Leinenkugel when it went to the final of the 1994 U.S. Open Cup
1994 U.S. Open Cup
-Final:...
. In April 1995, Alioto signed with the Milwaukee Rampage
Milwaukee Rampage
The Milwaukee Rampage is a defunct American soccer franchise, which played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the A-League. The Rampage folded in 2002 because of financial problems, despite winning the A-league championship that year, as well as in 1997. The Rampage was founded in 1994 as a member of the...
of the USISL.
Coach
In 1986, Alioto signed with the Fort Wayne FlamesFort Wayne Flames
The Fort Wayne Flames were an indoor soccer club based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association, playing home games at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum from 1986-1989....
of the American Indoor Soccer Association as a player-assistant coach.]]. He was quickly elevated to head coach after original head coach Cliff Brown
Cliff Brown (soccer)
Cliff Brown was an American soccer goalkeeper who is currently the head coach of the Newman University soccer team. Brown played in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League, Lone Star Soccer Alliance and USISL...
took the team to a 2-3 start. In 1987, 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....
as a player-assistant coach. In March 2009, Alioto joined the staff of the FC Milwaukee Nationals soccer club.
Alioto is a member of the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame.