Casey Sweeney
Encyclopedia
Casey Sweeney is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the USISL.
where he played on the men's soccer team from 1992 to 1995.
of the National Professional Soccer League selected Sweeney in the first round of the NPSL Amateur Draft. Sweeney never signed with the Heat and in November 1996, the Heat traded his rights to the Detroit Rockers
for the 1996 first round draft pick. Sweeney also refused to sign with the Rockers. In March, 1996, the Tampa Bay Mutiny
selected Sweeney in the second round (fourteenth overall) of the 1996 MLS College Draft
. The Mutiny cut him during the pre-season. In April 1996, he joined the Hampton Roads Mariners and saw limited time in at least one game. However, he never agreed to contract terms with the team and in May he signed with the Milwaukee Rampage
. Sweeney remained with the Rampage through 1998, winning the 1997 USISL A-League title with them. In February 1999, the Rampage traded Sweeney to the Indiana Blast
in exchange for a first round selection in the 1999 USISL draft. On February 7, 2000, the Kansas City Wizards
, coached by ex-Rampage head coach Bob Gansler
, selected Sweeney in the sixth round (62nd overall) of the 2000 MLS SuperDraft
but waived him three weeks later. He returned to the Blast and played for them through 2001.
Youth
Sweeney attended Butler UniversityButler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
where he played on the men's soccer team from 1992 to 1995.
Professional
In January 1995, the Harrisburg HeatHarrisburg Heat
The Harrisburg Heat was a professional indoor soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team was part of the National Professional Soccer League, which later became the Major Indoor Soccer League, and has been defunct since 2003. The Harrisburg Heat was first formed during the 1991-92...
of the National Professional Soccer League selected Sweeney in the first round of the NPSL Amateur Draft. Sweeney never signed with the Heat and in November 1996, the Heat traded his rights to the Detroit Rockers
Detroit Rockers
The Detroit Rockers were an indoor soccer team in the National Professional Soccer League from 1990 to 2001. They played in Joe Louis Arena and Cobo Arena in downtown Detroit, Michigan as well as The Palace of Auburn Hills and Compuware Sports Arena in the suburbs...
for the 1996 first round draft pick. Sweeney also refused to sign with the Rockers. In March, 1996, 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...
selected Sweeney in the second round (fourteenth overall) of the 1996 MLS College Draft
1996 MLS College Draft
-History:As Major League Soccer prepared for its first season, the league began stocking teams with players. As the teams were being created at the same time, the league adopted a measured approach to building rosters. First, the league allocated four "big name" players to each team. Then on...
. The Mutiny cut him during the pre-season. In April 1996, he joined the Hampton Roads Mariners and saw limited time in at least one game. However, he never agreed to contract terms with the team and in May he signed with the Milwaukee Rampage
Milwaukee Rampage
The Milwaukee Rampage is a defunct American soccer franchise, which played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the A-League. The Rampage folded in 2002 because of financial problems, despite winning the A-league championship that year, as well as in 1997. The Rampage was founded in 1994 as a member of the...
. Sweeney remained with the Rampage through 1998, winning the 1997 USISL A-League title with them. In February 1999, the Rampage traded Sweeney to the Indiana Blast
Indiana Blast
Indiana Blast were an American soccer team, founded in 1997. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues, and played in the D-3 Pro League, the A-League and the USL Premier Development League, until folding at the end of the 2004 season....
in exchange for a first round selection in the 1999 USISL draft. On February 7, 2000, the Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
, coached by ex-Rampage head coach Bob Gansler
Bob Gansler
Bob Gansler is a Hungarian-born American soccer player and coach of German descent. He coached the US National Team at the 1990 World Cup, the team's first appearance at the tournament since 1950....
, selected Sweeney in the sixth round (62nd overall) of the 2000 MLS SuperDraft
2000 MLS SuperDraft
The 2000 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:...
but waived him three weeks later. He returned to the Blast and played for them through 2001.