Glenn Myernick
Encyclopedia
Glenn "Mooch" Myernick was an American
soccer player and coach. He won the 1976 Hermann Trophy
as that year’s outstanding collegiate player. He then spent eight seasons in the North American Soccer League
and one in Major Indoor Soccer League. Myernick also earned 10 caps
with the U.S. national team. After retiring from playing professionally, Myernick spent over twenty years as a professional and national team coach.
in New Jersey
, from which he graduated in 1972. He was All-State as a forward in 1971 and as a defender in 1972. Beginning his freshman year, he led Lawrence to three straight Group 2 state titles. In 1999, he was named by The Star-Ledger
as one of the top ten New Jersey high school soccer players of the 1970s.
Following high school, he attended Mercer County Community College
in 1973 before transferring to Hartwick College
his sophomore season. He is a member of the Mercer County Community College Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a second team All American in 1974 at Hartwick, but lost much of the 1975 season with the U.S. Olympic team as it attempted to qualify for the 1976 Summer Olympics
. Returning to Hartwick for the 1976 season, Myernick was named team captain and led the Hawks to the NCAA Final Four and First Team All American
recognition. He was also the 1976 Hermann Trophy
winner as the top college player of the year. In 1995, Hartwick College inducted Myernick into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
, a former Hartwick soccer coach who was now head coach of the North American Soccer League
’s Dallas Tornado
, selected Myernick with the top pick of the NASL College Draft. The Tornado traded Myernick to the Portland Timbers
in 1980 and he was named the Timbers captain that season. When Portland folded following the 1982 season, the Tampa Bay Rowdies selected Myernick in the dispersal draft. While the NASL folded following the 1984 season, the Rowdies continued to play as an independent team. Myernick remained with the Rowdies before retiring in 1985.
of Major Indoor Soccer League.
for the U.S. from 1977 to 1979, serving as team captain in 1978. He also started 4 games for the U.S. Olympic soccer team during Olympic qualifying in 1976.
. In 1986, he moved back north to Hartwick College
to become an assistant coach.
. After the highly successful Quarterfinal run made by the United States, Myernick coached the U.S. Men's U-23 Soccer team as they attempted (unsuccessfully) to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Tournament. He continued serving the U.S. Men's National Team through the 2005 Gold Cup (notably - managing the team during the championship game, when head coach Bruce Arena had been suspended for the final) and the 2006 FIFA World Cup
. Myernick was also the organizer of the Colorado Rapids youth soccer clinic from 1997 through 2000 at the Rapids training facility in Westminster, Colorado
.
of Major League Soccer
from 1997 to 2000, leading them into the playoffs in each of the four seasons. The Rapids made it all the way to the MLS Cup
final in his first year at the helm, coming up short 2-1 to DC United at RFK Stadium
. The team also advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
final in 1999, losing 2-0 to the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
He also served in the same capacity with the U.S. under-23 Men's National Team in 2003. Myernick was the US Men's Senior National Team assistant coach at the time of his death.
Glenn "Mooch" Myernick died in Thornton, Colorado
on October 9, 2006, four days after suffering a heart attack
during his morning jog on Thursday, October 5, 2006, never having regained consciousness. U.S. Soccer officials, including President Sunil Gulati
and former Men's National Team manager Bruce Arena
, paid homage to Myernick and praised his invaluable contributions to soccer in the United States. Myernick was acclaimed as an enthusiastic coach, player, father, and friend.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player and coach. He won the 1976 Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
as that year’s outstanding collegiate player. He then spent eight 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 one in Major Indoor Soccer League. Myernick also earned 10 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
with the U.S. national team. After retiring from playing professionally, Myernick spent over twenty years as a professional and national team coach.
High School and college
Myernick played soccer at Lawrence High SchoolLawrence High School (New Jersey)
Lawrence High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township, in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States, serving grades 9-12 as part of the Lawrence Township Public Schools. LHS was built in 1967...
in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, from which he graduated in 1972. He was All-State as a forward in 1971 and as a defender in 1972. Beginning his freshman year, he led Lawrence to three straight Group 2 state titles. In 1999, he was named by The Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger is the largest circulated newspaper in the U.S. state of New Jersey and is based in Newark. It is a sister paper to The Jersey Journal of Jersey City, The Times of Trenton and the Staten Island Advance, all of which are owned by Advance Publications.The Newark Star-Ledgers daily...
as one of the top ten New Jersey high school soccer players of the 1970s.
Following high school, he attended Mercer County Community College
Mercer County Community College
Mercer County Community College is an accredited, co-educational, two-year, public, community college located in Mercer County, New Jersey. The school's current president is Dr. Patricia C. Donohue...
in 1973 before transferring to Hartwick College
Hartwick College
Hartwick College is a non-denominational, private, four-year liberal arts and sciences college located in Oneonta, New York, in the United States. The institution was founded as Hartwick Seminary in 1797 through the will of John Christopher Hartwick, and is now known as Hartwick College...
his sophomore season. He is a member of the Mercer County Community College Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a second team All American in 1974 at Hartwick, but lost much of the 1975 season with the U.S. Olympic team as it attempted to qualify for the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
. Returning to Hartwick for the 1976 season, Myernick was named team captain and led the Hawks to the NCAA Final Four and First Team All American
Division 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:...
recognition. He was also the 1976 Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
winner as the top college player of the year. In 1995, Hartwick College inducted Myernick into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
NASL
In 1976, Al MillerAl Miller
Al Miller II , was an American race car driver.Born Albert Krulac in Detroit, Michigan, Miller died in Mount Clemens, Michigan...
, a former Hartwick soccer coach who was now head coach 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:...
’s Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
, selected Myernick with the top pick of the NASL College Draft. The Tornado traded Myernick to the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (NASL)
The Portland Timbers were a team in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two other soccer franchises: the Timbers of the WSA/APSL, Portland Timbers of the USL and the current team which began play as part of Major League Soccer in 2011.-History:In January...
in 1980 and he was named the Timbers captain that season. When Portland folded following the 1982 season, the Tampa Bay Rowdies selected Myernick in the dispersal draft. While the NASL folded following the 1984 season, the Rowdies continued to play as an independent team. Myernick remained with the Rowdies before retiring in 1985.
MISL
Myernick spent one season, 1979-1980, with the Wichita WingsWichita Wings
This article is about the original team. For the current team, see Wichita Wings .The Wichita Wings were a professional indoor soccer franchise based in Wichita, Kansas. The Wings were admitted to the Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team on August 21, 1979...
of Major Indoor Soccer League.
National Team
Myernick earned 10 capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the U.S. from 1977 to 1979, serving as team captain in 1978. He also started 4 games for the U.S. Olympic soccer team during Olympic qualifying in 1976.
College
Myernick retired from playing professionally in 1985, becoming an assistant coach at the University of TampaUniversity of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
. In 1986, he moved back north to Hartwick College
Hartwick College
Hartwick College is a non-denominational, private, four-year liberal arts and sciences college located in Oneonta, New York, in the United States. The institution was founded as Hartwick Seminary in 1797 through the will of John Christopher Hartwick, and is now known as Hartwick College...
to become an assistant coach.
National team
After serving as an assistant coach on the 1996 U.S. Men's Olympic soccer team, Myernick was hired in 2002 to serve as an assistant coach on the Men's National Team for the 2002 FIFA World Cup2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
. After the highly successful Quarterfinal run made by the United States, Myernick coached the U.S. Men's U-23 Soccer team as they attempted (unsuccessfully) to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Tournament. He continued serving the U.S. Men's National Team through the 2005 Gold Cup (notably - managing the team during the championship game, when head coach Bruce Arena had been suspended for the final) and the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. Myernick was also the organizer of the Colorado Rapids youth soccer clinic from 1997 through 2000 at the Rapids training facility in Westminster, Colorado
Westminster, Colorado
Westminster is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Westminster is a northwest suburb of Denver. The Westminster Municipal Center is located north-northwest of the Colorado State Capitol. The United States Census Bureau that the city population...
.
Colorado Rapids
Myernick served as the head coach of the Colorado RapidsColorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
from 1997 to 2000, leading them into the playoffs in each of the four seasons. The Rapids made it all the way to the MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
final in his first year at the helm, coming up short 2-1 to DC United at RFK Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United....
. The team also advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
final in 1999, losing 2-0 to the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
He also served in the same capacity with the U.S. under-23 Men's National Team in 2003. Myernick was the US Men's Senior National Team assistant coach at the time of his death.
Glenn "Mooch" Myernick died in Thornton, Colorado
Thornton, Colorado
The city of Thornton is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado and a suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thornton is northeast of the state's capital, Denver. The United States Census Bureau that the city population...
on October 9, 2006, four days after suffering a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
during his morning jog on Thursday, October 5, 2006, never having regained consciousness. U.S. Soccer officials, including President Sunil Gulati
Sunil Gulati
Sunil Gulati is the current president of the United States Soccer Federation and special advisor to The Kraft Group and the Kraft family...
and former Men's National Team manager Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
, paid homage to Myernick and praised his invaluable contributions to soccer in the United States. Myernick was acclaimed as an enthusiastic coach, player, father, and friend.