Dan Counce
Encyclopedia
Dan Counce is a retired American soccer player and current professional soccer executive. He played six seasons in the North American Soccer League
and six more in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned five caps with the United States national team between 1974 and 1976.
. In 1973, he won the Hermann Trophy
as the outstanding collegiate soccer player in North America. Counce also was selected the MVP of the 1973 Senior Bowl and the NCAA National Championship soccer Tournament.
. In 1975, he played only one of the five national team games, a 7–0 loss to Poland
in March. It was over a year and a half later before he was called up again, this time for a November 12, 1976, tie with Haiti
. His last game with the national team came a month later when he came on for fellow St. Louis University alumnus Al Trost
in a 3–0 loss to Canada.
player in the NASL. After finishing his career at St. Louis, he joined the Boston Minutemen
of the North American Soccer League
(NASL). He bounced from team to team, six total, over the next six years, finishing his NASL career with eight games for the Toronto Blizzard
in 1979. By this time, however, he had already begun to move towards indoor soccer. In 1978, he signed with the Philadelphia Fever
of Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). The 1978–1979 MISL season was the first for both the team and the league. That year, the Fever went to the MISL championship series, losing to the New York Arrows
, despite goals from Counce. Counce continued to play in the MISL, but moved to the St. Louis Steamers for the 1979–1980 season. That year, Counce was named the team's MVP. However, he moved again in the off season to the Baltimore Blast. He was the Blast's team MVP in the 1980–1981 season. Counce remained with the Blast through the end of the 1983–1984 season when he retired from playing professionally.
or Assistant General Manager for the St. Louis Steamers
in 1979–1980, the Baltimore Blast from 1986–1990 and the St. Louis Storm
, also of MISL, from 1990–1991.
From 1987–1991, Counce served on the United States Soccer Federation
Executive Committee and the MISL Board of Directors from 1986–1991.
On January 15, 1997, the Rapids hired Counce as the team’s General Manager
after its first season in Major League Soccer
. In 2002, MLS named Counce the league’s Executive of the Year. However, just two years later, AEG sold the Rapids to Kroenke Sports and he resigned at the conclusion of his contract in January 2005.
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 six more in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned five caps with the United States national team between 1974 and 1976.
College
After playing at Rosary High School in St. Louis, Counce attended St. Louis University where he played on the men’s soccer team. He was a member of the 1970, 1972 and 1973 NCAA soccer championship teamsNCAA 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...
. In 1973, he 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 outstanding collegiate soccer player in North America. Counce also was selected the MVP of the 1973 Senior Bowl and the NCAA National Championship soccer Tournament.
National team
He earned his first cap with the U.S. national team in a September 8, 1974, loss to MexicoMexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
. In 1975, he played only one of the five national team games, a 7–0 loss to Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
in March. It was over a year and a half later before he was called up again, this time for a November 12, 1976, tie with Haiti
Haiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
. His last game with the national team came a month later when he came on for fellow St. Louis University alumnus Al Trost
Al Trost
Alan Trost is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder. He played collegiate soccer at Saint Louis University where he won the 1969 and 1970 Hermann Trophy as the player of the year. His professional career includes years in both the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League . He...
in a 3–0 loss to Canada.
Professional
Through the years, Counce established himself as a journeymanJourneyman (sports)
A journeyman or journeywoman is an athlete or professional sports player who is technically competent, but unable to excel. In certain parts of the world the term has less negative connotations and the inability to excel is not needed for a player to be labelled thus.-Definitions:Alexandra Allred...
player in the NASL. After finishing his career at St. Louis, he joined the Boston Minutemen
Boston Minutemen
The Boston Minutemen were a soccer team based out of Boston that played in the NASL. They played from 1974 to 1976. Their home fields included Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy and Sargent Field in New Bedford.Portuguese legend...
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:...
(NASL). He bounced from team to team, six total, over the next six years, finishing his NASL career with eight games for the Toronto Blizzard
Toronto Blizzard (NASL)
The Toronto Blizzard were a professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that played in the North American Soccer League.-History:The Toronto Metros joined the NASL in 1971. Their home field was Varsity Stadium....
in 1979. By this time, however, he had already begun to move towards indoor soccer. In 1978, he signed with the Philadelphia Fever
Philadelphia Fever
.The Philadelphia Fever were an indoor soccer team based out of Philadelphia that played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1978 to 1982. Their home arena was the Spectrum)...
of Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). The 1978–1979 MISL season was the first for both the team and the league. That year, the Fever went to the MISL championship series, losing to the New York Arrows
New York Arrows
The New York Arrows was an indoor soccer team that played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1978 to 1984. They won the first four MISL championships.-Preparing for the first season:...
, despite goals from Counce. Counce continued to play in the MISL, but moved to the St. Louis Steamers for the 1979–1980 season. That year, Counce was named the team's MVP. However, he moved again in the off season to the Baltimore Blast. He was the Blast's team MVP in the 1980–1981 season. Counce remained with the Blast through the end of the 1983–1984 season when he retired from playing professionally.
Soccer management
Counce has been active in managing professional soccer teams even before retiring from playing. He was either a General ManagerGeneral manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
or Assistant General Manager for 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...
in 1979–1980, the Baltimore Blast from 1986–1990 and the St. Louis Storm
St. Louis Storm
The St. Louis Storm were a soccer team based out of St. Louis that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They played from 1989 to 1992. Their home arena was St...
, also of MISL, from 1990–1991.
From 1987–1991, Counce served on the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
Executive Committee and the MISL Board of Directors from 1986–1991.
On January 15, 1997, the Rapids hired Counce as the team’s General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
after its first season in 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...
. In 2002, MLS named Counce the league’s Executive of the Year. However, just two years later, AEG sold the Rapids to Kroenke Sports and he resigned at the conclusion of his contract in January 2005.