Zen Luzniak
Encyclopedia
Zenon “Zen” Luzniak is a U.S. soccer defender
who spent three seasons in the American Professional Soccer League
and two in the USISL. He also earned one cap with the U.S. national team
.
where he attended Cooper City High School
from 1980 to 1984. During his four seasons on the Cooper City soccer team, he led the team in scoring. He was also a two time All County cross country runner. He then attended Wake Forest University
where he played on the men’s soccer team. In his two seasons, 1987–1988, with the Demon Deacons, Luzniak scored four goals in thirty-seven games. He tore a ligament in his right knee during his junior season and left Wake to rehab with a Netherlands team.
and played four seasons with them. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Mutiny
in the thirteen round (127th overall) in the 1996 MLS Draft
. However, he never played for the Mutiny, but joined the Carolina Dynamo
of the USISL for the 1996 season. He signed with the Dynamo in 1999, but on May 8, 1999, he tore his anterior-cruciate ligament in a game against the Myrtle Beach Seadawgs
.
in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica
on June 14, 1988 when he came on for Donald Cogsville
.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who spent three seasons 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...
and two in the USISL. He also earned one 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...
.
High school and college
Luzniak grew up in Cooper City, FloridaCooper City, Florida
Cooper City is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city is named for Morris Cooper, who founded the community in 1959. The city's population was 28,547 at the 2010 census...
where he attended Cooper City High School
Cooper City High School
Cooper City High School is a high school located in Cooper City, Florida which teaches grades 9-12.The school includes standard high school curriculum plus specialized classes devoted to career development including auto tech and computer programming. It has an average enrollment of approximately...
from 1980 to 1984. During his four seasons on the Cooper City soccer team, he led the team in scoring. He was also a two time All County cross country runner. He then attended Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
where he played on the men’s soccer team. In his two seasons, 1987–1988, with the Demon Deacons, Luzniak scored four goals in thirty-seven games. He tore a ligament in his right knee during his junior season and left Wake to rehab with a Netherlands team.
Professional
When Luzniak returned to the United States in 1991, he signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the American Professional Soccer LeagueAmerican 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...
and played four seasons with them. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Mutiny
Tampa Bay Mutiny
The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...
in the thirteen round (127th overall) in the 1996 MLS Draft
1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
The MLS Inaugural Player Draft, held before Major League Soccer's initial 1996 season, distributed players who had already graduated from college to the league's ten inaugural teams. The draft occurred on February 6 and 7, 1996...
. However, he never played for the Mutiny, but joined the Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
of the USISL for the 1996 season. He signed with the Dynamo in 1999, but on May 8, 1999, he tore his anterior-cruciate ligament in a game against the Myrtle Beach Seadawgs
Myrtle Beach Seadawgs
Myrtle Beach Seadawgs were an American soccer team that played in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Their home field was Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.-Year-by-year:...
.
National team
Luzniak 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...
in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica
Costa Rica national football team
The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
on June 14, 1988 when he came on for Donald Cogsville
Donald Cogsville
Don Cogsville is a former U.S. soccer player who earned six caps with the U.S. national team in 1988. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of The Cogsville Group, LLC, a New York City-based real estate investment firm focused on commercial real estate assets.-Youth and college:Cogsville,...
.