Tony Bellinger
Encyclopedia
Arthur "Tony" Bellinger is a retired U.S. soccer defender
who played both in the North American Soccer League
and Major Indoor Soccer League
. He also played seven games with the U.S. national team
.
in 1977. He immediately turned professional with the Dallas Tornado
of the North American Soccer League
. Bellinger established himself as one of the top defenders and best American players in the league. In 1980, he signed with the expansion St. Louis Steamers
of Major Indoor Soccer League
for the 1980-1981 indoor season, returning to the Tornados for the 1981 NASL outdoor season. He forwent the 1982 NASL season, but returned in 1983 with Team America. Team America was an attempt by the U.S. Soccer Federation to create a more stable national team
program by entering the national team into the NASL as a franchise. However, the concept failed when Team America stumbled to a 10-20 record and the bottom of the league standings. USSF pulled the national team from the NASL at the end of the season. Bellinger returned to the Steamers and played with them through the end of the 1986-1987 season. In 1987, Bellinger signed a guaranteed contract with the Steamers, but broke his foot and missed the 1987-1988 season. The Steamers folded in 1988 and Bellinger retired from playing professionally to devote himself to coaching.
from 1977 to 1980. He scored one goal in a 3-1 loss to Guatemala
on September 18, 1977, his second game with the national team.
(New Hampshire
) boys varsity team, a position he has held for over 15 seasons. He also coaches the NWC (Nashua World Cup) Boys U15 Premier team.
Defender (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 both 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:...
and 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...
. He also played seven games with the U.S. 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...
.
Playing career
Bellinger, who grew up in Southern New Jersey, graduated from JF Kennedy High SchoolJohn F. Kennedy High School (Willingboro, New Jersey)
John F. Kennedy High School is a defunct public high school in Willingboro Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States that operated until the end of the 1988-89 school year, as part of the Willingboro Township Public Schools....
in 1977. He immediately turned professional with the Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
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:...
. Bellinger established himself as one of the top defenders and best American players in the league. In 1980, he signed with the expansion St. Louis Steamers
St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
of 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...
for the 1980-1981 indoor season, returning to the Tornados for the 1981 NASL outdoor season. He forwent the 1982 NASL season, but returned in 1983 with Team America. Team America was an attempt by the U.S. Soccer Federation to create a more stable 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...
program by entering the national team into the NASL as a franchise. However, the concept failed when Team America stumbled to a 10-20 record and the bottom of the league standings. USSF pulled the national team from the NASL at the end of the season. Bellinger returned to the Steamers and played with them through the end of the 1986-1987 season. In 1987, Bellinger signed a guaranteed contract with the Steamers, but broke his foot and missed the 1987-1988 season. The Steamers folded in 1988 and Bellinger retired from playing professionally to devote himself to coaching.
National team
Bellinger earned seven caps with the U.S. national teamUnited 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...
from 1977 to 1980. He scored one goal in a 3-1 loss to Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
on September 18, 1977, his second game with the national team.
Coaching
Tony Bellinger is the head coach for the Bishop Guertin High SchoolBishop Guertin High School
Bishop Guertin is a college preparatory private Roman Catholic high school in Nashua, New Hampshire. It was founded by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in 1963. The school is located off Exit 4 of the F. E...
(New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
) boys varsity team, a position he has held for over 15 seasons. He also coaches the NWC (Nashua World Cup) Boys U15 Premier team.