Vidal Fernandez
Encyclopedia
Vidal Fernandez is a retired Mexican-American soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League
, Major Indoor Soccer League and Western Soccer Alliance.
where he entered Chula Vista High School
. He was the 1977 California Interscholastic Federation
Soccer Player of the Year as Chula Vista won back to back CIF championships. He is a member of the Sweetwater Union High School District Alumni Hall of Fame. He attended San Diego State University
, playing on the men's soccer team from 1977 to 1979. He is a member of the SDSU Aztecs Hall of Fame. He became a U.S. citizen in 1979.
selected Fernandez in the first round of the North American Soccer League
draft. He injured his right knee during the 1980 pre-season and had surgery to remove his meniscus
. He remained out for the entire 1980 season and was released in August 1980. He then signed as a free agent with the California Surf
in 1981. The Surf folded at the end of the sason and in the fall of 1981, Fernandez signed with the San Diego Sockers in time to play the NASL indoor season. He went on to play the 1982 NASL outdoor and the 1982-1983 Major Indoor Soccer League seasons with the Sockers. In February 1983, Alkis Panagoulias selected Fernandez for Team America, an attempt to place the United States men's national soccer team
into a competitive league. He turned down Team America to remain with the Sockers only to injure his right knee in May 1983. He continued to play, including five games during the 1983-1984 NASL indoor season before retiring in November 1984. In 1986, he attempted to return to soccer when he played as a defender with the San Diego Nomads
of the Western Soccer Alliance. In April 1987, Fernandez played one game while on a ten-day contract with the Sockers.
soccer teams, a position he has held since the mid-1980s.
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 Western Soccer Alliance.
Youth
Fernandez was born in Mexico, but moved to Otay Mesa, San Diego, CaliforniaOtay Mesa, San Diego, California
Otay Mesa is a community in the southern section of the city of San Diego, just north of the U.S.–Mexico border. It is bordered by the Otay River Valley and the city of Chula Vista on the north, Interstate 805 and the neighborhoods of Ocean View Hills and San Ysidro on the west, and unincorporated...
where he entered Chula Vista High School
Chula Vista High School
Chula Vista High School in Chula Vista, California, was founded in 1947. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District. The school colors are "spartan" blue and white, and the mascot is Sammy Spartan. CVHS underwent a renovation to several classrooms and received a new ASB building in...
. He was the 1977 California Interscholastic Federation
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
Soccer Player of the Year as Chula Vista won back to back CIF championships. He is a member of the Sweetwater Union High School District Alumni Hall of Fame. He attended San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
, playing on the men's soccer team from 1977 to 1979. He is a member of the SDSU Aztecs Hall of Fame. He became a U.S. citizen in 1979.
Professional
In December 1979, the New York CosmosNew York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
selected Fernandez in the first round 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:...
draft. He injured his right knee during the 1980 pre-season and had surgery to remove his meniscus
Meniscus (anatomy)
In anatomy, a meniscus is a crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous structure that, in contrast to articular disks, only partly divides a joint cavity. In humans it is present in the knee, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, and temporomandibular joints; in other organisms they may be present in other...
. He remained out for the entire 1980 season and was released in August 1980. He then signed as a free agent with the California Surf
California Surf
The California Surf were a soccer club based in Anaheim, California who played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1981. Their home field was Anaheim Stadium.They originally were the St. Louis Stars...
in 1981. The Surf folded at the end of the sason and in the fall of 1981, Fernandez signed with the San Diego Sockers in time to play the NASL indoor season. He went on to play the 1982 NASL outdoor and the 1982-1983 Major Indoor Soccer League seasons with the Sockers. In February 1983, Alkis Panagoulias selected Fernandez for Team America, an attempt to place 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...
into a competitive league. He turned down Team America to remain with the Sockers only to injure his right knee in May 1983. He continued to play, including five games during the 1983-1984 NASL indoor season before retiring in November 1984. In 1986, he attempted to return to soccer when he played as a defender with the San Diego Nomads
San Diego Nomads
-History:The Nomads joined the Western Soccer Alliance in 1986. In 1989, the WSA changed its name to the Western Soccer League and in 1990, the team joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the WSL merged with the American Soccer League. After winning the WSL championship in...
of the Western Soccer Alliance. In April 1987, Fernandez played one game while on a ten-day contract with the Sockers.
Coach
Fernandez is the head coach of the Chula Vista High SchoolChula Vista High School
Chula Vista High School in Chula Vista, California, was founded in 1947. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District. The school colors are "spartan" blue and white, and the mascot is Sammy Spartan. CVHS underwent a renovation to several classrooms and received a new ASB building in...
soccer teams, a position he has held since the mid-1980s.