Larry Hulcer
Encyclopedia
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.
drafted Hulcer. That season he earned NASL Rookie of the Year honors. In December 1979, the Aztecs traded Hulcer and Angelo DiBernardo
to the New York Cosmos
in exchange for Gary Etherington
and Santiago Formoso
. Hulcer spent the next two seasons with the Cosmos. On December 8, 1981, the St. Louis Steamers
of Major Indoor Soccer League
purchased Hulcer’s contract from the Cosmos. Hulcer then spent the next three indoor seasons with the Steamers, the first year as a forward, the next two as a midfielder. The Steamers unexpectedly released him in February 1985. Hulcer then signed with the Kansas City Comets
for the remainder of the season. The Comets released him in October 1985.
. At the time professionals could not play in the Olympic games and Hulcer signed a professional contract in 1980 which took him off the Olympic squad which qualified for the Olympic games. Unfortunately for the team, the U.S. boycotted the games and the team did not compete. Hulcer earned his first cap with the U.S. national team
on February 3, 1979 in a 3-1 loss to the Soviet Union. He then saw time in about half of the U.S. games in 1979. On October 5, 1980, he scored his only goal with the national team in a 2-0 victory over Luxembourg
. He his last cap came on November 23, 1980 in a loss to Mexico
.
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...
and midfielder
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...
. He spent three seasons in 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:...
and at least three in 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 earned eight caps, scoring one goal, 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...
in 1979 and 1980.
College
Hulcer attended St. Louis University where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1975 to 1978. He was the team's assist leader in 1976 and was an 1978 Honorable Mention (third team) All American. In 1995, St. Louis University inducted Hulcer into its Athletic Hall of Fame.Professional
In 1979, 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:...
drafted Hulcer. That season he earned NASL Rookie of the Year honors. In December 1979, the Aztecs traded Hulcer and Angelo DiBernardo
Angelo DiBernardo
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...
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...
in exchange for Gary Etherington
Gary Etherington
Gary Etherington is a retired English-American soccer player who began his professional career in the North American Soccer League before moving to the Major Indoor Soccer League. He earned seven caps with the U.S. national team...
and Santiago Formoso
Santiago Formoso
Santiago Formoso is a Spanish-American soccer defender who spent spent five seasons in the North American Soccer League. He also earned seven caps with the U.S. national team in 1976 and 1977.-Club career:...
. Hulcer spent the next two seasons with the Cosmos. On December 8, 1981, 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...
of 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...
purchased Hulcer’s contract from the Cosmos. Hulcer then spent the next three indoor seasons with the Steamers, the first year as a forward, the next two as a midfielder. The Steamers unexpectedly released him in February 1985. Hulcer then signed 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...
for the remainder of the season. The Comets released him in October 1985.
National team
Hulcer began playing with the U.S. B-Team in 1978 as it began preparation for the 1980 Summer Olympics1980 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...
. At the time professionals could not play in the Olympic games and Hulcer signed a professional contract in 1980 which took him off the Olympic squad which qualified for the Olympic games. Unfortunately for the team, the U.S. boycotted the games and the team did not compete. Hulcer earned his first cap 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...
on February 3, 1979 in a 3-1 loss to the Soviet Union. He then saw time in about half of the U.S. games in 1979. On October 5, 1980, he scored his only goal with the national team in a 2-0 victory over Luxembourg
Luxembourg national football team
The Luxembourg national football team is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team play most of their home matches at the Stade Josy Barthel, in Luxembourg.- History :...
. He his last cap came on November 23, 1980 in a loss 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...
.