Dan Canter
Encyclopedia
Dan Canter is a retired U.S. soccer defender
. He played three seasons in the North American Soccer League
and three in Major Indoor Soccer League
. He also earned twenty-nine caps with the U.S. national team
, scoring two goals, between 1983 and 1985.
honors.
drafted Canter in the 1982 NASL College Draft. He quickly won a starting job on the Strikers first team, playing twenty-nine games and scoring twice. In 1983, the U.S. Soccer Federation, in coordination with the NASL, entered the U.S. national team
, known as Team America
, into the NASL as a league franchise. The team drew on U.S. citizens playing in the NASL, Major Indoor Soccer League
and American Soccer League
. In January 1983, Canter left the Strikers and signed with Team America. When Team America finished the 1983 season with a 10-20 record, the worst in the NASL, USSF withdrew the team from the league. Canter returned to the Strikers in time for the 1983-1984 NASL indoor season. The Strikers which were in the process of relocating from Fort Lauderdale to Minnesota, did not play in that season. Therefore, the Strikers loaned Canter to the New York Cosmos
. On February 28, 1984, the Strikers traded Canter to the Cosmos in exchange for Mike Jeffries
, a 1985 first round draft pick and cash. That year Canter was an NASL All Star honorable mention (third team). The NASL collapsed after the 1984 outdoor season and several of the league’s teams, including the Cosmos, moved to MISL for the 1984-1985 season. Canter began the season with the Cosmos, but financial difficulties led the Cosmos to trade him to the Chicago Sting
in exchange for Robert Meschbach
and cash in February 1985. On November 15, 1985, the Sting traded Canter to the Minnesota Strikers
in exchange for Ben Collins
and two draft picks.
. Canter played the first national team game in 1984, a 0-0 tie with Italy
and was an integral part of the team as it prepared for the upcoming 1984 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for him, he injured himself just prior to the games and was replaced by Kazbek Tambi
on the roster. Canter returned for the next two full initernationals in September and October, but did not play again until May 1985. At that point, he again became a regular starter as the U.S. moved through the 1986 FIFA World Cup
qualification rounds. He was part of the debacle in Torrance, California where the U.S. needed only a tie with Costa Rica
to advance, but lost 1-0. He earned his last cap three weeks later when England
crushed the U.S. 5-0 in Los Angeles.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He played three seasons 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:...
and three in Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. He also earned twenty-nine 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...
, scoring two goals, between 1983 and 1985.
College
Canter attended Penn State where he played as a sweeper on the men’s soccer team from 1978 to 1981. In 1981 he earned first team All AmericanDivision 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:...
honors.
Professional
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer LeagueNorth 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:...
drafted Canter in the 1982 NASL College Draft. He quickly won a starting job on the Strikers first team, playing twenty-nine games and scoring twice. In 1983, the U.S. Soccer Federation, in coordination with the NASL, entered 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...
, known as Team America
Team America (soccer)
Team America was a professional version of the United States men's national soccer team which played as a franchise in the defunct North American Soccer League during the 1983 season...
, into the NASL as a league franchise. The team drew on U.S. citizens playing in the NASL, Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
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...
. In January 1983, Canter left the Strikers and signed with Team America. When Team America finished the 1983 season with a 10-20 record, the worst in the NASL, USSF withdrew the team from the league. Canter returned to the Strikers in time for the 1983-1984 NASL indoor season. The Strikers which were in the process of relocating from Fort Lauderdale to Minnesota, did not play in that season. Therefore, the Strikers loaned Canter to the 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...
. On February 28, 1984, the Strikers traded Canter to the Cosmos in exchange for Mike Jeffries
Mike Jeffries (soccer)
Michael Jeffries is a retired American soccer player and current soccer coach. He was the 1983 Hermann Trophy winner and played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League...
, a 1985 first round draft pick and cash. That year Canter was an NASL All Star honorable mention (third team). The NASL collapsed after the 1984 outdoor season and several of the league’s teams, including the Cosmos, moved to MISL for the 1984-1985 season. Canter began the season with the Cosmos, but financial difficulties led the Cosmos to trade him to the Chicago Sting
Chicago Sting
The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988...
in exchange for Robert Meschbach
Robert Meschbach
Robert Meschbach is a retired Canadian-American soccer midfielder who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association.-High school:...
and cash in February 1985. On November 15, 1985, the Sting traded Canter to 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....
in exchange for Ben Collins
Ben Collins (soccer)
Ben Collins is a retired Liberian soccer midfielder who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.-College:...
and two draft picks.
National team
Canter earned his first cap in the national team’s only 1983 game, a 2-0 win over HaitiHaiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
. Canter played the first national team game in 1984, a 0-0 tie with Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
and was an integral part of the team as it prepared for the upcoming 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for him, he injured himself just prior to the games and was replaced by Kazbek Tambi
Kazbek Tambi
Kazbek Tambi is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder who currently coaches the Seton Hall University women's soccer team and the United States U-17 women's soccer team. He spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League, four in the Major Indoor Soccer League and one in the American Soccer...
on the roster. Canter returned for the next two full initernationals in September and October, but did not play again until May 1985. At that point, he again became a regular starter as the U.S. moved through the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
qualification rounds. He was part of the debacle in Torrance, California where the U.S. needed only a tie with 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...
to advance, but lost 1-0. He earned his last cap three weeks later when England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
crushed the U.S. 5-0 in Los Angeles.