John DeBrito
Encyclopedia
John DeBrito is a former U.S.-Cape Verde soccer player. He was an All American at Southern Connecticut State University
, spent at least one season playing indoor soccer, then played eight seasons outdoor, including six season in Major League Soccer
. He earned six caps with the U.S. national team
from 1991 to 1992.
of Waterbury, Connecticut
. He finished his high school soccer career as one of the highest scoring players in state history. Following high school, DeBrito attended Division II Southern Connecticut State University
where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1987 to 1990. In 1988, he was named a second team All Star. The next year, he led the Owls to the Division II championship, scoring both Southern Conn goals in the victory. In 1990, he was a first team All Star. In his four years with the Owls, DeBrito scored twenty goals and dished out thirty-two assists.
. In 1994, DeBrito signed with the Boston Storm
of the USISL. In 1995, he moved to the New York Fever of the A League. In February 1996, the New England Revolution
picked DeBrito in the eleventh round (105th overall) of the MLS Inaugural Draft
. He played in twenty-one games in the 1996 season, which he played as a defender. The Revolution waived DeBrito on March 17, 1997 and was quickly claimed by the MetroStars
. He played eight games with the MetroStars before moving to the Kansas City Wizards
for the remainder of the 1997 and the 1998 season. In 1999, the Columbus Crew
selected DeBrito in the second round of the Supplemental Draft
. DeBrito remained with the Crew through the 1999 and 2000 season before being traded to the Dallas Burn during the 2001 season. DeBrito played for the Burn in the U.S. Open Cup
, but never saw time in any league games before being released by Dallas on July 1, 2001. DeBrito finished out the 2001 season with the Connecticut Wolves
of USISL.
. His first game came as a substitute to Marcelo Balboa
in a 1-0 loss to Bermuda
on February 21, 1991. He was not called into the national team again until February 12, 1992, this time starting alongside Balboa in a scoreless tie with Costa Rica
. Over the next eight months, he appeared in a handful of games, most as substitutes until his last cap on October 9, 1992. In 1993 DeBrito played with the U.S. at the World University Games
.
In 2006, the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame inducted DeBrito.
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut...
, spent at least one season playing indoor soccer, then played eight seasons outdoor, including six season in 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...
. He earned six 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...
from 1991 to 1992.
Youth and college
DeBrito attended the W.F. Kaynor Technical High SchoolW.F. Kaynor Technical High School
Warren Fox Kaynor Technical High School is located in Waterbury, Connecticut. Students from Waterbury and the surrounding area can attend Kaynor. The school is operated by the Connecticut Technical High School System. Kaynor offers their students a multitude of trades to choose from coupled with...
of Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
. He finished his high school soccer career as one of the highest scoring players in state history. Following high school, DeBrito attended Division II Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut...
where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1987 to 1990. In 1988, he was named a second team All Star. The next year, he led the Owls to the Division II championship, scoring both Southern Conn goals in the victory. In 1990, he was a first team All Star. In his four years with the Owls, DeBrito scored twenty goals and dished out thirty-two assists.
Professional
In 1991, the Tulsa Ambush of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) drafted DeBrito. He spent the 1991-1992 NPSL season with the Ambush before the team folded at the end of the season. In 1992, he joined Gremio LusitanoGremio Lusitano
Gremio Lusitano is an amateur soccer team from Ludlow, Massachusetts.Founded in 1922 in a garage on Franklin Street, the team had competed for several seasons during the 1930s in the New England Division of the American Soccer League, but for most of its existence it has been an amateur or...
. In 1994, DeBrito signed with the Boston Storm
Boston Storm
The Boston Storm were a Professional Soccer Team that competed in the USISLfrom 1993 to 1995 as a founding member of the USISL Northeast Division. In 1993, they played 6 exhibition games against USISL opponents and International Competition with a record of 3-3. On July 3, 1993 they defeated the...
of the USISL. In 1995, he moved to the New York Fever of the A League. In February 1996, 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...
picked DeBrito in the eleventh round (105th overall) of the MLS Inaugural Draft
1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
The MLS Inaugural Player Draft, held before Major League Soccer's initial 1996 season, distributed players who had already graduated from college to the league's ten inaugural teams. The draft occurred on February 6 and 7, 1996...
. He played in twenty-one games in the 1996 season, which he played as a defender. The Revolution waived DeBrito on March 17, 1997 and was quickly claimed by the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
. He played eight games with the MetroStars before moving to the Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
for the remainder of the 1997 and the 1998 season. In 1999, the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
selected DeBrito in the second round of the Supplemental Draft
1999 MLS Supplemental Draft
The 1999 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:...
. DeBrito remained with the Crew through the 1999 and 2000 season before being traded to the Dallas Burn during the 2001 season. DeBrito played for the Burn in the U.S. Open Cup
2001 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:Four PDL and four USASA teams start.-----Second round:...
, but never saw time in any league games before being released by Dallas on July 1, 2001. DeBrito finished out the 2001 season with the Connecticut Wolves
Connecticut Wolves
The Connecticut Wolves were a soccer club that competed in the United Soccer Leagues from 1993 to 2002. Based in New Britain, Connecticut, and playing in Veteran's Stadium, the club started in the D-3 Pro League before moving to the A-League in 1997.-History:...
of USISL.
National team
DeBrito earned six caps 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...
. His first game came as a substitute to Marcelo Balboa
Marcelo Balboa
Marcelo Balboa is an American former soccer defender who played in the 1990s for the U.S. national team, becoming its captain. After retiring from playing, he has worked as a commentator for ESPN and ABC and MLS games on HDNet and Altitude...
in a 1-0 loss to Bermuda
Bermuda national football team
The Bermuda national football team is the national team of Bermuda and is controlled by the Bermuda Football Association. A member of CONCACAF, it is not among its strongest teams....
on February 21, 1991. He was not called into the national team again until February 12, 1992, this time starting alongside Balboa in a scoreless 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...
. Over the next eight months, he appeared in a handful of games, most as substitutes until his last cap on October 9, 1992. In 1993 DeBrito played with the U.S. at the World University Games
1993 Summer Universiade
The 1993 Summer Universiade, also known as the XVII Summer Universiade, took place in Buffalo, New York, United States of America.-Medal table:-External links:*...
.
In 2006, the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame inducted DeBrito.