Charlie McCully
Encyclopedia
Charles “Charlie” McCully (April 30, 1947 in Motherwell, Scotland
– October 23, 2007 in Meriden, Connecticut
) was a U.S.-Scottish soccer forward
. He spent two seasons in the American Soccer League
, one in the German American Soccer League
and five in the North American Soccer League
. He also earned eleven caps with the U.S. national team
between 1973 and 1975.
. In 1968, McCully signed with the Boston Beacons
of the North American Soccer League
(NASL). The Beacons folded at the end of the season and McCully moved to the German American Soccer League
for the next two seasons. In 1971, the expansion New York Cosmos
signed McCully. He played twenty-four games, scoring six goals in 1971. The next season, he played in only seven games and scored no goals before leaving the NASL. In 1975, McCully returned to the NASL with the Hartford Bicentennials. In 1976, Hartford traded him to the Washington Diplomats
. He retired at the end of the season. McCully was regarded as someone with a nose for the goal, and a player with eyes in the back of his head (he was extremely aware of every man's position on the pitch). Charlie was also regarded as a great teacher of the game. He always had time to talk and mentor the younger players. He was a very giving person.
between 1973 and 1975. His first game with the national team came in a 1-0 win over Poland
on August 12, 1973. His last game was a 2-0 loss to Mexico
on August 25, 1975 in the Mexico Cup.http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/usa-intres-det70.html
In 1999, McCully was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame.http://home.att.net/~g.archer/sasl/2006/cshof.html
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
– October 23, 2007 in Meriden, Connecticut
Meriden, Connecticut
Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 59,653.-History:...
) was a U.S.-Scottish soccer forward
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...
. He spent two seasons in the 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...
, one in the German American Soccer League
German American Soccer League
The German American Soccer League is the previous name of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, a semi-professional and amateur soccer league which was founded in 1923. The league competes primarily in the New York metropolitan area and northern New Jersey.-History:In 1923, five teams, S.C. New York,...
and five 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:...
. He also earned eleven caps 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...
between 1973 and 1975.
Professional career
McCully played two season in the American Soccer LeagueAmerican 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...
. In 1968, McCully signed with the Boston Beacons
Boston Beacons
The Boston Beacons were a United States soccer team from Boston. In 1968 they were founding members of the North American Soccer League but folded after just one season. The Beacons were actually a relaunch of the United Soccer Association team Boston Rovers. They played their home games at Fenway...
of 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:...
(NASL). The Beacons folded at the end of the season and McCully moved to the German American Soccer League
German American Soccer League
The German American Soccer League is the previous name of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, a semi-professional and amateur soccer league which was founded in 1923. The league competes primarily in the New York metropolitan area and northern New Jersey.-History:In 1923, five teams, S.C. New York,...
for the next two seasons. In 1971, the expansion 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...
signed McCully. He played twenty-four games, scoring six goals in 1971. The next season, he played in only seven games and scored no goals before leaving the NASL. In 1975, McCully returned to the NASL with the Hartford Bicentennials. In 1976, Hartford traded him to the Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
. He retired at the end of the season. McCully was regarded as someone with a nose for the goal, and a player with eyes in the back of his head (he was extremely aware of every man's position on the pitch). Charlie was also regarded as a great teacher of the game. He always had time to talk and mentor the younger players. He was a very giving person.
National team
McCully earned eleven caps 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...
between 1973 and 1975. His first game with the national team came in a 1-0 win over Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
on August 12, 1973. His last game was a 2-0 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...
on August 25, 1975 in the Mexico Cup.http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/usa-intres-det70.html
In 1999, McCully was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame.http://home.att.net/~g.archer/sasl/2006/cshof.html