Danny Kelly (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Danny Kelly is a former midfielder
and now the head coach of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer
team.
. While at Penn State he was a four-year letter winner from 1987 to 1990. He earned national recognition and honors during his college career. He still holds many Penn State records, including one for single season assist
selected Kelly in the third round of the Major Soccer League
draft. He did not sign with the Comets, but began his professional career when he signed with the Harrisburg Heat
of the National Professional Soccer League on October 19, 1991. In 1995, the Heat finished runner-up in the NPSL Championship Series. In 1996, he played for the Rochester Rhinos of the A-League
as they finished runner-up to the Seattle Sounders. In 1997, he joined the Hershey Wildcats
of the USISL. He would also play the 1998 outdoor season with the Wildcats. On September 11, 1998, the Heat traded Kelly to the Baltimore Blast in exchange for Michael Henning and cash. Kelly finished his seven seasons with the Heat in fifth place on the team's all time points list despite missing large parts of several seasons with injuries. In eight seasons in Baltimore he compiled more than 200 points and ranks sixth on the team’s all-time scoring list. In 2001, the Blast moved to the newly created Major Indoor Soccer League. A three-time League All-Star, Kelly represented the Blast in the 2006 MISL All-Star Game and leads the team’s defenders that season in points. Kelly also ranks 20th on the League’s all-time scoring list.
Coach of the Year. He has also taken the team to two titles.
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
and now the head coach of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
team.
Youth
Kelly played college soccer at Penn State University in State College, PennsylvaniaState College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
. While at Penn State he was a four-year letter winner from 1987 to 1990. He earned national recognition and honors during his college career. He still holds many Penn State records, including one for single season assist
Professional
On February 14, 1991, the Kansas City CometsKansas 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...
selected Kelly in the third round of the Major 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...
draft. He did not sign with the Comets, but began his professional career when he signed with the Harrisburg Heat
Harrisburg Heat
The Harrisburg Heat was a professional indoor soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team was part of the National Professional Soccer League, which later became the Major Indoor Soccer League, and has been defunct since 2003. The Harrisburg Heat was first formed during the 1991-92...
of the National Professional Soccer League on October 19, 1991. In 1995, the Heat finished runner-up in the NPSL Championship Series. In 1996, he played for the Rochester Rhinos of the A-League
A-League (1995–2004)
The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
as they finished runner-up to the Seattle Sounders. In 1997, he joined the Hershey Wildcats
Hershey Wildcats
Hershey Wildcats were a professional soccer team, based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA, that played in the USL A-League between 1997 and 2001. The team was owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company...
of the USISL. He would also play the 1998 outdoor season with the Wildcats. On September 11, 1998, the Heat traded Kelly to the Baltimore Blast in exchange for Michael Henning and cash. Kelly finished his seven seasons with the Heat in fifth place on the team's all time points list despite missing large parts of several seasons with injuries. In eight seasons in Baltimore he compiled more than 200 points and ranks sixth on the team’s all-time scoring list. In 2001, the Blast moved to the newly created Major Indoor Soccer League. A three-time League All-Star, Kelly represented the Blast in the 2006 MISL All-Star Game and leads the team’s defenders that season in points. Kelly also ranks 20th on the League’s all-time scoring list.
Coach
In 2005, Kelly was hired as the head coach of the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the 2008-2009 National Indoor Soccer LeagueNational Indoor Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League , formerly known as the National Indoor Soccer League, is an indoor soccer league which began play in 2008. It is the third league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League...
Coach of the Year. He has also taken the team to two titles.