Angelo DiBernardo
Encyclopedia
Angelo DiBernardo is a retired Argentine-American soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League
and Major Indoor Soccer League
. He also represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics
. After retiring from playing professionally, he taught Spanish and coached boys and girls high school soccer.
area where DiBernardo attended J. Sterling Morton High School West
in Berwyn, Illinois
. He played soccer both for the school's soccer team and for Sparta, a local Chicago club. DiBernardo attended Indiana University
where he played on the school's men’s soccer team for three seasons from 1976 to 1978. He had an immediate impact on the team, helping it to the 1976 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
which Indiana lost to San Francisco
. In 1977, Indiana failed to make the NCAA post-season, but DiBernardo was selected as a first team All American
. In 1978, Indiana reprised the 1976 season, making it to the championship game, but losing to San Francisco yet again. This year DiBernardo won the Hermann Trophy
as the top collegiate soccer player in the country. At the end of the season, DiBernardo left Indiana and turned pro. He finished his collegiate career with 54 goals and 17 assists for 125 points. In 1991, Indiana University inducted DiBernardo into its Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also selected to the Soccer America College Team of the Century
.
, coming on as a substitute for Ty Keough
in a loss to the Soviet Union. DiBernardo went on to play every national team game in 1979 and was selected to play for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team
. However, he did not compete in these games, held in the Soviet Union, due to President Carter’s boycott. DiBernardo became an integral part of the U.S. efforts to qualify for the 1982 World Cup
and played in the four qualification games in 1980. Unfortunately, the U.S. failed to reach the finals.
, who drafted DiBernardo, of the North American Soccer League
. He played the 1979 season with the Aztecs before they traded him and Larry Hulcer
to the New York Cosmos
. He would remain with the Cosmos from 1980 until 1984 when the NASL collapsed. He had played for the Cosmos as an amateur in the late 1970s. In 1980, he played 29 games and scored 7 goals, adding 13 assists. The 1981 season began well for DiBernardo. He played defense, midfield and forward with the top NASL team until he pulled a hamstring. The injury healed slowly and limited him to only 17 games with the team. In 1982, DiBernardo played only one game after before being badly injured in a hard tackle. Although he recovered from the injury, he never regained his pre-injury quickness or agility. In addition to playing outdoors with the Cosmos, DiBernardo played the 1983-1984 NASL indoor season. In May 1984, the Cosmos asked DiBernardo to take a 20% pay cut. He refused and the team placed him on waivers seven games into the season.http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E6DA1739F933A15755C0A962948260
and began the qualification for the 1986 FIFA World Cup
. He played two of the U.S. team's games in the Olympics. His last game with the national team came as a substitute in the loss to 1985 World Cup qualification loss to Costa Rica in Torrance which led to the failure of the team to make the finals.
season with the Kansas City Comets
. In 1987-1988, he played six games with the St. Louis Steamers
before suffering a back injury which finished his playing career.
in Aurora, Illinois
beginning in 1991. The team’s highest finish came in 2001 when it took third in the state. DiBernardo also coached the school’s girls team for a single season, 1991-1992. That team went 19-2-3. DiBernardo's Argentinian heritage has aided him with teaching the Spanish language and South American culture.
He also founded the Americas Soccer Club with Rudy Keller, who had played with DiBernardo in their youth club days.
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 represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
. After retiring from playing professionally, he taught Spanish and coached boys and girls high school soccer.
Youth and college
DiBernardo, a native of Argentina, moved to the United States with his family when he was sixteen. His family settled in the ChicagoChicago
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...
area where DiBernardo attended J. Sterling Morton High School West
J. Sterling Morton High School District 201
J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 is a school district headquartered in Cicero, Illinois, United States. The district serves the city of Berwyn, the town of Cicero, and the villages of Forest View, Lyons, McCook, and Stickney...
in Berwyn, Illinois
Berwyn, Illinois
Berwyn is a city in Cook County, Illinois, co-existent with Berwyn Township, which was formed in 1908 after breaking off from Cicero Township. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 54,016.-Demographics:...
. He played soccer both for the school's soccer team and for Sparta, a local Chicago club. DiBernardo attended Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
where he played on the school's men’s soccer team for three seasons from 1976 to 1978. He had an immediate impact on the team, helping it to the 1976 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
which Indiana lost to San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
. In 1977, Indiana failed to make the NCAA post-season, but DiBernardo was selected as a first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
. In 1978, Indiana reprised the 1976 season, making it to the championship game, but losing to San Francisco yet again. This year DiBernardo won the Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
as the top collegiate soccer player in the country. At the end of the season, DiBernardo left Indiana and turned pro. He finished his collegiate career with 54 goals and 17 assists for 125 points. In 1991, Indiana University inducted DiBernardo into its Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also selected to the Soccer America College Team of the Century
Soccer America College Team of the Century
The Soccer America College Team of the Century were chosen by the editors of the American periodical Soccer America to comprise, as one men's and one women's eleven-member side divided each as one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards, the best players of collegiate...
.
National team
In February 1979, DiBernardo earned his first cap for the 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...
, coming on as a substitute for Ty Keough
Ty Keough
William “Ty” Keough is a former U.S. soccer player and coach who has served as a soccer broadcaster for several networks. He earned seven caps with the U.S. national team in 1979 and 1980. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic soccer team which qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics. However, he...
in a loss to the Soviet Union. DiBernardo went on to play every national team game in 1979 and was selected to play for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
. However, he did not compete in these games, held in the Soviet Union, due to President Carter’s boycott. DiBernardo became an integral part of the U.S. efforts to qualify for the 1982 World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
and played in the four qualification games in 1980. Unfortunately, the U.S. failed to reach the finals.
NASL
By this time DiBernardo had already played a season with the Los Angeles AztecsLos Angeles Aztecs
The Los Angeles Aztecs were a soccer team that competed in the North American Soccer League from 1974-81. The team was based in Los Angeles, California and part-owned by Elton John.-History:...
, who drafted DiBernardo, 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:...
. He played the 1979 season with the Aztecs before they traded him and Larry Hulcer
Larry Hulcer
Larry Hulcer is a former U.S. soccer forward and midfielder. He spent three seasons in the North American Soccer League and at least three in Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned eight caps, scoring one goal, with the U.S. national team in 1979 and 1980.-College:Hulcer attended St. Louis...
to the New York Cosmos
New 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...
. He would remain with the Cosmos from 1980 until 1984 when the NASL collapsed. He had played for the Cosmos as an amateur in the late 1970s. In 1980, he played 29 games and scored 7 goals, adding 13 assists. The 1981 season began well for DiBernardo. He played defense, midfield and forward with the top NASL team until he pulled a hamstring. The injury healed slowly and limited him to only 17 games with the team. In 1982, DiBernardo played only one game after before being badly injured in a hard tackle. Although he recovered from the injury, he never regained his pre-injury quickness or agility. In addition to playing outdoors with the Cosmos, DiBernardo played the 1983-1984 NASL indoor season. In May 1984, the Cosmos asked DiBernardo to take a 20% pay cut. He refused and the team placed him on waivers seven games into the season.http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E6DA1739F933A15755C0A962948260
1984 Olympics
After being cut by the Cosmos, DiBernardo spent the rest of the spring and summer playing with the national team as it prepared for the 1984 Summer Olympics1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
and began the qualification for the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
. He played two of the U.S. team's games in the Olympics. His last game with the national team came as a substitute in the loss to 1985 World Cup qualification loss to Costa Rica in Torrance which led to the failure of the team to make the finals.
MISL
He played the 1985-1986 Major Indoor Soccer LeagueMajor 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...
season 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...
. In 1987-1988, he played six games with the 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...
before suffering a back injury which finished his playing career.
High school
Since retiring from playing, DiBernardo became a Spanish teacher and soccer coach at Waubonsie Valley High SchoolWaubonsie Valley High School
Waubonsie Valley High School, or WVHS, is a public four-year high school located at the corner of Ogden Avenue and Eola Road in Aurora, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States...
in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
beginning in 1991. The team’s highest finish came in 2001 when it took third in the state. DiBernardo also coached the school’s girls team for a single season, 1991-1992. That team went 19-2-3. DiBernardo's Argentinian heritage has aided him with teaching the Spanish language and South American culture.
He also founded the Americas Soccer Club with Rudy Keller, who had played with DiBernardo in their youth club days.