Dave Smyth (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Dave Smyth is a retired U.S. soccer defender
who spent two seasons in the American Soccer League
and two in the American Professional Soccer League
. He also earned one cap with the U.S. national team
.
of the American Soccer League
. In 1990, the ASL merged with the Western Soccer League
to form the American Professional Soccer League
(APSL). The Capitals then spent the 1990 and 1991 season in the APSL before folding.
in a 1-0 loss to Guatemala
. Most records list him as “Dan” Smyth.
. He then returned to North Carolina where he became an assistant men’s soccer coach at Duke University until 1999. That year, he was hired to coach the Myrtle Beach Seadawgs
of the USISL, but the team folded before the season began.
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 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...
and two 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...
. 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
Smyth was the 1983 Nassau County Player of the year while playing with Hicksville High School. David Smyth attended UNC Chapel Hill where he played as a sweeper on the men’s soccer team from 1984 to 1987. He was a second team All American in 1986 and a first team All American in 1987. Playing as a defender, he placed eighth on the schools record. He left college to pursue a professional career before finishing his degree, but returned to UNC in the mid-1990s to gain a bachelor’s degree in physical education.Professional
In 1988, Smyth signed with the Albany CapitalsAlbany Capitals
The Albany Capitals joined the third incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1989. The team joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the ASL merged with the Western Soccer League...
of 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...
. In 1990, the ASL merged with the Western Soccer League
Western Soccer League
Western Soccer Alliance was a professional soccer league featuring teams from the West Coast of the United States and Western Canada. The league began in 1985 as the Western Alliance Challenge Series. In 1986, it became the Western Soccer Alliance...
to form 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...
(APSL). The Capitals then spent the 1990 and 1991 season in the APSL before folding.
National team
Smyth 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 loss to Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
. Most records list him as “Dan” Smyth.
Coaching
After retiring from playing, Smyth spent a season as an assistant coach with Skidmore CollegeSkidmore College
Skidmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. The college is located in the town of Saratoga Springs, New York State....
. He then returned to North Carolina where he became an assistant men’s soccer coach at Duke University until 1999. That year, he was hired to coach 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:...
of the USISL, but the team folded before the season began.