Paul DiBernardo
Encyclopedia
Paul DiBernardo is a retired Argentine-American soccer midfielder
who coaches youth soccer. He played professionally in the American Indoor Soccer Association and earned one cap with the United States men's national soccer team
.
. He graduated in 1981, after which he attended Indiana University. While growing up, he also played for Sparta Soccer Club
in Chicago. After high school, played as a midfielder
on the Hoosiers
soccer team from 1981 to 1984. His older brother Angelo
had been a star at Indiana in the late 1970s. During Paul’s four seasons with the Hoosiers, they went to the championship game
three years running, taking the title in 1982 and 1983 and losing to Clemson
in 1984. DiBernardo contributed 40 goals and 36 assists during his four years and was named the 1984 SoccerAmerica
college Player of the Year
. In 1997, the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame inducted DiBernardo.
of the American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA) for the remainder of the 1984-1985 season. In June 1985, the Minnesota Strikers
selected DiBernardo in the first round (eighth overall) of the Major Indoor Soccer League draft. The Strikers released him during the pre-season. He then signed with the Chicago Shoccers
of the AISA. He spent one season with the Shoccers then moved to the Fort Wayne Flames
in 1986. DiBernardo appeared in 95 games for the Flames from 1986 to 1989. During the 1987-1988 AISA season, he scored 18 goals for the Fort Wayne Flames, putting him 10th on the league’s points list.
(* = career franchise leader)
(* = career franchise leader)
when he came on for Jacques LaDouceur in a February 8, 1985 tie with Switzerland
.
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...
who coaches youth soccer. He played professionally in the American Indoor Soccer Association and earned one cap with the United States men's national soccer 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...
.
Youth
DiBernardo, a native of Argentina, moved to the United States in 1972 with his family. He grew up in Illinois and attended Riverside High School in North Riverside, IllinoisNorth Riverside, Illinois
North Riverside is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,688 at the 2000 census.-Geography:North Riverside is located at ....
. He graduated in 1981, after which he attended Indiana University. While growing up, he also played for Sparta Soccer Club
Chicago Sparta
The Sparta Athletic and Benevolent Association Football Club, better known as Chicago Sparta, is one of the longest continually established soccer clubs in the United States...
in Chicago. After high school, played as a 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...
on the Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are the athletic teams for the Bloomington campus of Indiana University . Athletic teams sponsored by IU Bloomington include cross country, track, baseball, golf, tennis, rowing, volleyball, soccer, football and basketball...
soccer team from 1981 to 1984. His older brother Angelo
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...
had been a star at Indiana in the late 1970s. During Paul’s four seasons with the Hoosiers, they went to the championship game
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...
three years running, taking the title in 1982 and 1983 and losing to Clemson
Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers are any team that represents Clemson University as a member of the NCAA's Division I or in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference....
in 1984. DiBernardo contributed 40 goals and 36 assists during his four years and was named the 1984 SoccerAmerica
Soccer America Magazine
Soccer America Magazine is a national American magazine devoted to soccer founded in the early 1970s and is still being published. Its primary focus is soccer in the United States, but it also covers the international game extensively. It was begun by publisher Clay Berling during a period of...
college Player of the Year
Soccer America Player of the Year Award
Beginning in 1984, Soccer America Magazine began naming a college player of the year. At the time Soccer America was the best source for U.S. soccer, especially collegiate soccer which was rarely covered by the national news services...
. In 1997, the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame inducted DiBernardo.
Professional
In January 1985, DiBernardo wigned with the Louisville ThunderLouisville Thunder
Louisville Thunder was an indoor soccer club based in Louisville, Kentucky that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association. In their debut season of 1984-1985, goalkeeper Rick Schweizer won the 'Goalkeeper of the Year' award, and made it on to the All-Star team.-Players: Paul DiBernardo ...
of the American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA) for the remainder of the 1984-1985 season. In June 1985, the Minnesota Strikers
Minnesota Strikers
The Minnesota Strikers was an American professional soccer team located in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The team played one season in the North American Soccer League and 4 seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
selected DiBernardo in the first round (eighth overall) of the Major Indoor Soccer League draft. The Strikers released him during the pre-season. He then signed with the Chicago Shoccers
Chicago Shoccers
The Chicago Vultures were an indoor soccer club based in Chicago, Illinois that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association.After their first season, the club was renamed the Chicago Shoccers.-Former Players:...
of the AISA. He spent one season with the Shoccers then moved to the Fort Wayne Flames
Fort Wayne Flames
The Fort Wayne Flames were an indoor soccer club based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association, playing home games at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum from 1986-1989....
in 1986. DiBernardo appeared in 95 games for the Flames from 1986 to 1989. During the 1987-1988 AISA season, he scored 18 goals for the Fort Wayne Flames, putting him 10th on the league’s points list.
Regular season
- Games Played - 83
- Goals - 50*
- Assists - 27
- Points - 77*
- Shots on Goal - 305*
- Blocked Shots - 55
- Fouls - 143
- Penalty Minutes - 33*
(* = career franchise leader)
Playoffs
- Games Played - 12*
- Goals - 7
- Assists - 8*
- Points - 15
- Shots on Goal - 45
- Blocked Shots - 2
- Fouls - 20
- Penalty Minutes - 4
(* = career franchise leader)
National team
DiBernardo earned one cap 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...
when he came on for Jacques LaDouceur in a February 8, 1985 tie with Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
.