John O'Connell (soccer)
Encyclopedia
John “Harp” O’Connell is a deceased U.S. soccer player. He spent his professional career in the American Soccer League
where he was a two-time league MVP. He also earned four caps with the U.S. national team
between 1949 and 1954.
(ASL), first as a defender
before moving to the front line
. In 1946, O’Connell signed with the Brooklyn Wanderers
before moving to the New York Americans
in 1948. In 1947, he scored sixteen goals in fifteen games with the Wanderers. O’Connell experienced his greatest personal success when he was named the league MVP in both 1948 and 1949. In 1950, he was with the U.S. Army, fighting in the Korean War
. After returning to the U.S., he rejoined the Americans which won the 1954 ASL and U.S. Open Cup titles. In 1956, the Americans merged with Brooklyn Hakoah
to form New York Hakoah
. He finished his career in 1956 with Hakoak.
between 1949 and 1954. His first game with the national team came as a forward in a June 19, 1949 loss to Scotland
. He did not play with the national team again until another loss to Scotland
on April 20, 1952. In that game, he had moved to the back line and contributed an own goal
to Scotland’s win. In January 1954, he played two World Cup qualifiers, both losses to Mexico
.http://national.soccerhall.org/history/MNTAlltime_1916-1959.htm
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
where he was a two-time league MVP. He also earned four caps 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...
between 1949 and 1954.
Club career
O’Connell spent ten seasons in the American Soccer LeagueAmerican Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
(ASL), first as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
before moving to the front line
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. In 1946, O’Connell signed with the Brooklyn Wanderers
Brooklyn Wanderers
The Brooklyn Wanderers was a U.S. soccer team which was a founding member of the National Association Football League in the late nineteenth century. It later joined the American Soccer League.-History:...
before moving to the New York Americans
New York Americans (soccer)
The New York Americans were an American soccer club founded in 1931. Based in New York, New York, it played in both the first and second American Soccer Leagues.-History:...
in 1948. In 1947, he scored sixteen goals in fifteen games with the Wanderers. O’Connell experienced his greatest personal success when he was named the league MVP in both 1948 and 1949. In 1950, he was with the U.S. Army, fighting in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. After returning to the U.S., he rejoined the Americans which won the 1954 ASL and U.S. Open Cup titles. In 1956, the Americans merged with Brooklyn Hakoah
Brooklyn Hakoah
Brooklyn Hakoah is a former United States soccer team club based in Brooklyn, New York that played in the American Soccer League.-Brooklyn Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players of SC Hakoah Wien, they played in the American Soccer League in 1929...
to form New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah is a former United States soccer club based in New York City.-New York Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players from SC Hakoah Wien, including among others Béla Guttmann and Rudolph Nickolsburger, they initially played in the Eastern Soccer League in the fall of 1928. In 1929...
. He finished his career in 1956 with Hakoak.
National team
O’Connell earned four 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...
between 1949 and 1954. His first game with the national team came as a forward in a June 19, 1949 loss to Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. He did not play with the national team again until another loss to Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on April 20, 1952. In that game, he had moved to the back line and contributed an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
to Scotland’s win. In January 1954, he played two World Cup qualifiers, both losses to Mexico
Mexico 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...
.http://national.soccerhall.org/history/MNTAlltime_1916-1959.htm