John Maessner
Encyclopedia
John Maessner who spent six seasons in Major League Soccer
, two in France, two in USISL, two in the National Professional Soccer League and one in Germany. He is currently the Director of Youth Development for D.C. United
.
where he played on the men's soccer team until 1990. In 1989, the Cavaliers won the NCAA championship
. He lost much of his senior season with a broken foot, but came back in time for the post-season tournaments. Although he turned professional in 1991, he continued to work on his degree, graduating in 1992. In 1991, he was a member of the U.S. soccer at the 1991 World University Games.
. He played eleven games as the Strikers went to the playoff semifinals. On September 22, 1991, the Harrisburg Heat
selected Maessner in the National Professional Soccer League draft. He played only seven games for the Heat that season. In 1992, he moved south to the Miami Freedom
before moving to France where he signed with fifth division ES La Ciotat. He then moved to FC Istres
in the French Ligue 2
. He returned to the United States in 1994 where he signed with the Connecticut Wolves
in the USISL. In January 1995, he signed with the Buffalo Blizzard
of the NPSL. In 1995, he returned to the Wolves for a second season before moving to Germany to play for FC Saarbrücken during the 1995–1996 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
season. On May 13, 1996, D.C. United
acquired Messner from FC Saarbrücken. He played three seasons in D.C., winning the 1996 MLS Cup and 1997 MLS Cup. On November 9, 1997, the Miami Fusion
selected Maessner in the 1997 MLS Expansion Draft
. July 19, 1999, Miami sent Maessner back to D.C. United in exchange for Brian Kamler
and future considerations. The future considerations turned out to be Roy Lassiter
. On May 26, 2000, D.C. United
traded Maessner, two first round picks in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
and a 2002 MLS SuperDraft
second round pick to the Tampa Bay Mutiny
in exchange for Raúl Díaz Arce
. He spent the remainder of the 2000 season as well as the 2001 season in Tampa Bay. He retired at the end of the 2001 season.
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...
, two in France, two in USISL, two in the National Professional Soccer League and one in Germany. He is currently the Director of Youth Development for D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. 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 since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
.
Youth
Maessner was a 1987 Parade Magazine High School All American soccer player. In 1987, he entered the University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
where he played on the men's soccer team until 1990. In 1989, the Cavaliers won the NCAA championship
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
. He lost much of his senior season with a broken foot, but came back in time for the post-season tournaments. Although he turned professional in 1991, he continued to work on his degree, graduating in 1992. In 1991, he was a member of the U.S. soccer at the 1991 World University Games.
Professional
On May 2, 1991, Maessner turned professional when he signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the American Professional Soccer LeagueAmerican 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 played eleven games as the Strikers went to the playoff semifinals. On September 22, 1991, the Harrisburg Heat
Harrisburg Heat
The Harrisburg Heat was a professional indoor soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team was part of the National Professional Soccer League, which later became the Major Indoor Soccer League, and has been defunct since 2003. The Harrisburg Heat was first formed during the 1991-92...
selected Maessner in the National Professional Soccer League draft. He played only seven games for the Heat that season. In 1992, he moved south to the Miami Freedom
Miami Freedom
The Miami Sharks were an inaugural franchise of the third incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1988. The team were renamed the Miami Freedom and joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the ASL merged with the Western Soccer League...
before moving to France where he signed with fifth division ES La Ciotat. He then moved to FC Istres
FC Istres
Football Club Istres Ouest Provence is a French association football club based in Istres. The club was formed in 1920 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2008–09 season. Istres plays its home matches at the...
in the French Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
. He returned to the United States in 1994 where he signed 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:...
in the USISL. In January 1995, he signed with the Buffalo Blizzard
Buffalo Blizzard
The Buffalo Blizzard was an indoor soccer team based in Buffalo, New York. The team was a member of the now defunct NPSL from 1992 to 2001. From 1992-1996, the team played at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, and they moved to HSBC Arena in 1996 where they played until 2001.The team was originally...
of the NPSL. In 1995, he returned to the Wolves for a second season before moving to Germany to play for FC Saarbrücken during the 1995–1996 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
season. On May 13, 1996, D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. 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 since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
acquired Messner from FC Saarbrücken. He played three seasons in D.C., winning the 1996 MLS Cup and 1997 MLS Cup. On November 9, 1997, the Miami Fusion
Miami Fusion
Miami Fusion F.C. was a professional soccer club located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that participated in Major League Soccer from 1998 to 2001. The club played in Lockhart Stadium, which was a former high school stadium converted into a soccer-specific stadium...
selected Maessner in the 1997 MLS Expansion Draft
1997 MLS Expansion Draft
The 1997 MLS Expansion Draft was held November 6, 1997. Two teams participated, the Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion F.C., both expansion Major League Soccer clubs planned for the 1998 season.-Format:...
. July 19, 1999, Miami sent Maessner back to D.C. United in exchange for Brian Kamler
Brian Kamler
Brian Kamler is a retired American soccer midfielder, who played two seasons in the USISL, winning the 1995 U.S. Open Cup and league titles with the Richmond Kickers, and ten seasons in Major League Soccer....
and future considerations. The future considerations turned out to be Roy Lassiter
Roy Lassiter
Roy Lassiter is a retired American soccer striker, and Major League Soccer's record holder for goals scored in a season, with 27 in 1996.-Early life:...
. On May 26, 2000, D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. 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 since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
traded Maessner, two first round picks in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft
2001 MLS SuperDraft
-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-External links:*...
and a 2002 MLS SuperDraft
2002 MLS SuperDraft
The 2002 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:...
second round pick to the Tampa Bay Mutiny
Tampa Bay Mutiny
The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...
in exchange for Raúl Díaz Arce
Raúl Díaz Arce
Raúl Díaz Arce is a retired Salvadoran football player.He is El Salvador's second most prolific goal scorer behind Jorge "Mágico" González, with 39 goals in just 68 appearances.-Early career:...
. He spent the remainder of the 2000 season as well as the 2001 season in Tampa Bay. He retired at the end of the 2001 season.