Robert Paterson (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Robert “Rob” Paterson is a former U.S. soccer forward
who spent two seasons in the Western Soccer Alliance and one in the American Professional Soccer League
.
Paterson began his collegiate career at San Diego State University
in 1987. In 1988, he transferred to the University of Evansville
where he played on the men’s soccer team. He was part of the SDSU team which went to the semifinals of the NCAA Division I tournament. In 1989, Paterson was named a first team All American
and was honored as the ISAA Player of the Year
. He finished his two seasons at Evansville with 42 goals and 11 assists. In 1997 Evansville inducted Paterson into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 1987, Paterson joined the semi-pro San Diego Nomads
of the Western Soccer Alliance. He spent the 1989 collegiate off season with the Nomads. However, in 1990, he moved to the Portland Timbers
of the American Professional Soccer League
which was formed by the merger of the WSA and American Soccer League
. He scored eight goals with the Timbers. His four assists that season led the team.
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...
who spent two seasons in the Western Soccer Alliance and one in the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
.
Paterson began his collegiate career at San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
in 1987. In 1988, he transferred to the University of Evansville
University of Evansville
The University of Evansville is a small, private university with approximately 3,050 students located in Evansville, Indiana. Founded in 1854 as Moores Hill College, it is located near the interchange of the Lloyd Expressway and U.S. Route 41. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
where he played on the men’s soccer team. He was part of the SDSU team which went to the semifinals of the NCAA Division I tournament. In 1989, Paterson was named a first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
and was honored as the ISAA Player of the Year
ISAA Player of the Year
The ISAA Player of the Year was an annual U.S. college soccer award presented by the Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America between 1984 and 1995. In 1984, the ISAA began recognizing outstanding men's NCAA soccer players with an annual Player of the Year award. In 1985 the ISAA expanded...
. He finished his two seasons at Evansville with 42 goals and 11 assists. In 1997 Evansville inducted Paterson into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 1987, Paterson joined the semi-pro San Diego Nomads
San Diego Nomads
-History:The Nomads joined the Western Soccer Alliance in 1986. In 1989, the WSA changed its name to the Western Soccer League and in 1990, the team joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the WSL merged with the American Soccer League. After winning the WSL championship in...
of the Western Soccer Alliance. He spent the 1989 collegiate off season with the Nomads. However, in 1990, he moved to the Portland Timbers
F.C. Portland
Portland Timbers, previously known as F.C. Portland, came into existence in 1985 as an independent U.S. soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. In 1989, the team adopted the name Portland Timbers. Portland was composed of both professional and amateur players. The amateur players largely came...
of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
which was formed by the merger of the WSA and American Soccer League
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...
. He scored eight goals with the Timbers. His four assists that season led the team.