Franco Paonessa
Encyclopedia
Franco Paonessa is a retired Italian-American professional soccer player who has played in the second and third American Soccer League
s, United Soccer League
, American Indoor Soccer Association and USISL.
In 1982, he signed with the Rochester Flash
of the second American Soccer League
where he earned Rookie of the Year honors. In 1984, he played for the New York Nationals
of the United Soccer League
. In 1989, he played for the New Jersey Eagles
of the third American Soccer League
. He also played for the Memphis Storm
of the American Indoor Soccer League
In December 1990, the New York Kick
of the National Professional Soccer League signed Paonessa who had been painting houses. He remained with the Kick through the 1990-1991 season. He then played for the Greek American AA
of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League
. In the fall of 1992, he signed with the Canton Invaders
of the NPSL. He then played for the New Jersey Stallions
of the USISL. Paonessa has continued to play amateur soccer with U.S. Parma.
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...
s, United Soccer League
United Soccer League
The United Soccer League was a professional soccer league in the United States in the mid-1980s.After the demise of the second incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1983, four ASL teams founded the USL...
, American Indoor Soccer Association and USISL.
In 1982, he signed with the Rochester Flash
Rochester Flash
The Rochester Flash was an American soccer club based in Rochester, New York that was a member of the American Soccer League.After the ASL folded, the club joined the newly formed United Soccer League....
of the second 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...
where he earned Rookie of the Year honors. In 1984, he played for the New York Nationals
New York Nationals (USL)
New York Nationals were a New York soccer team which played a single season in 1984 with the United Soccer League. An earlier team also called the New York Nationals played in the American Soccer League during the 1920s.-History:...
of the United Soccer League
United Soccer League
The United Soccer League was a professional soccer league in the United States in the mid-1980s.After the demise of the second incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1983, four ASL teams founded the USL...
. In 1989, he played for the New Jersey Eagles
New Jersey Eagles
The New Jersey Eagles were an American soccer team founded in 1987 as the Cosmopolitan Eagles. In 1988, they entered the third American Soccer League as the New Jersey Eagles. They folded following the 1990 American Professional Soccer League season....
of the third 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...
. He also played for the Memphis Storm
Memphis Storm
The Memphis Storm was an American soccer team based in Memphis, Tennessee which existed from 1986 to 1994 under several names in both the American Indoor Soccer Association and the USISL.-American Indoor Soccer Association:...
of the American Indoor Soccer League
American Indoor Soccer League
The American Indoor Soccer League was a semi-professional indoor soccer league founded in 2003 and for now folded in 2008.- History :Founded in 2002, the AISL's headquarters are based in West Springfield, Massachusetts, but the media relations office is based out of Cleveland, Ohio. The league...
In December 1990, the New York Kick
New York Kick
The New York Kick was a professional indoor soccer team based in Albany, New York playing at the Knickerbocker Arena and competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association....
of the National Professional Soccer League signed Paonessa who had been painting houses. He remained with the Kick through the 1990-1991 season. He then played for the Greek American AA
Greek American AA
Greek American Atlas Astoria, commonly known as New York Greek American, is a soccer team from New York City that formed in 1941 by Tom Laris and went on to win four U.S. Open Cups. The team plays in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. Their reserve team is the Greek-American Atlas Reserves FC. The...
of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Cosmopolitan Soccer League
The Cosmopolitan Soccer League is an amateur soccer league consisting of clubs based in and around New York City. Established in 1923, it is one of the oldest soccer leagues in the United States and has contributed greatly to the nation's soccer history...
. In the fall of 1992, he signed with the Canton Invaders
Canton Invaders
The Canton Invaders was an indoor soccer club based in Canton, Ohio that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Columbus Invaders.- Canton Invaders :...
of the NPSL. He then played for the New Jersey Stallions
New Jersey Stallions
The New Jersey Stallions were an American soccer team, founded in 1996, which competed in various divisions of the United Soccer Leagues until 2004, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated....
of the USISL. Paonessa has continued to play amateur soccer with U.S. Parma.