Doug Neely
Encyclopedia
Doug Neely is a retired American soccer defender
who had an extensive career in several American indoor leagues including the original Major Indoor Soccer League, Continental Indoor Soccer League
and National Professional Soccer League.
where he was the 1983 Los Angeles Times High School Player of the Year. He attended the San Diego State University
, playing on the men's soccer team in 1983 and 1984. Following his sophmore season, he transferred to Chapman University
where he finished his collegiate career. Chapman inducted Neely into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He played well enough to earn a reserve contract. He then worked himself into the first team where he remained for two seasons. When the Lazers folded in 1989, the Kansas City Comets
selected Neely in the dispersal draft. The Comets folded in 1991 and Neely signed with the Baltimore Blast on August 27, 1991. The Blast folded in 1992 and Neely moved to the Baltimore Spirit of the National Professional Soccer League. He played two seasons with the Spirit. In the summer of 1993, Neely also played for the Los Angeles United in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
. In 1994, he joined the Anaheim Splash
of the CISL and would play for them for the next four summer seasons. On October 26, 1996, Neely returned to the Baltimore Spirit.
On February 1, 1998, the New England Revolution
selected Neely in the second round (seventeenth overall) of the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft
. The Revolution released him in the pre-season. In the fall of 1998, Neely signed with the Baltimore Blast
of the NPSL and played four seasons before retiring. Neely was inducted into the Baltimore Blast Hall of Fame in 2010.
After retiring, Neely began Coastal Printing Solutions, a printing company in Newport Beach, California
.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who had an extensive career in several American indoor leagues including the original Major Indoor Soccer League, Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
and National Professional Soccer League.
Youth
In 1983, Neely graduated from Canyon High SchoolCanyon High School (Anaheim, California)
Canyon High School is a traditional four-year high school located in the Anaheim Hills community in the city of Anaheim, California and is an International Baccalaureate school. It is located on of land on Imperial Highway between the cross streets of Santa Ana Canyon Road and Nohl Ranch Road, and...
where he was the 1983 Los Angeles Times High School Player of the Year. He attended the San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
, playing on the men's soccer team in 1983 and 1984. Following his sophmore season, he transferred to Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
where he finished his collegiate career. Chapman inducted Neely into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Professional
In 1987, Neely attended an open tryout with the Los Angeles LazersLos Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers were a soccer team based out of Los Angeles that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1982 to 1989.-History:Major Indoor Soccer League awarded a Los Angeles franchise to Jerry Buss on June 24, 1982. Buss had purchased the Philadelphia Fever and wanted to move it to...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He played well enough to earn a reserve contract. He then worked himself into the first team where he remained for two seasons. When the Lazers folded in 1989, the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
selected Neely in the dispersal draft. The Comets folded in 1991 and Neely signed with the Baltimore Blast on August 27, 1991. The Blast folded in 1992 and Neely moved to the Baltimore Spirit of the National Professional Soccer League. He played two seasons with the Spirit. In the summer of 1993, Neely also played for the Los Angeles United in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
. In 1994, he joined the Anaheim Splash
Anaheim Splash
The Anaheim Splash was a U.S. indoor soccer team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League . It was founded in 1992 as the Los Angeles United, but was sold after the season. The new ownership moved the team to Anaheim, California and renamed it the Anaheim Splash...
of the CISL and would play for them for the next four summer seasons. On October 26, 1996, Neely returned to the Baltimore Spirit.
On February 1, 1998, the New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
selected Neely in the second round (seventeenth overall) of the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft
1998 MLS Supplemental Draft
The three-round 1998 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft was held on February 1, 1998 at the Airport Hilton in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.-Format:Major League Soccer held a professional player combine in Fort Lauderdale the last week of January 1998. On Saturday, January 31, 1998, the league held...
. The Revolution released him in the pre-season. In the fall of 1998, Neely signed with the Baltimore Blast
Baltimore Blast (current)
Baltimore Blast is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Founded in 1992, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
of the NPSL and played four seasons before retiring. Neely was inducted into the Baltimore Blast Hall of Fame in 2010.
After retiring, Neely began Coastal Printing Solutions, a printing company in Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
.