Joseph Lapira
Encyclopedia
Joseph Lapira is an Irish-American soccer player playing for Nybergsund.
. Joseph lived in Lake Charles, Louisiana
most of his life.
in Lake Charles, Louisiana
. After high school, he continued a family tradition and attended the University of Notre Dame
. In 2006, he was the winner of the Hermann Trophy
, awarded to the top collegiate player of the year, after scoring 22 goals for Notre Dame. During his college years, Lapira also played in the USL Premier Development League
with Louisiana Outlaws, Lafayette Swamp Cats
and most recently Baton Rouge Capitals
.
On April 17, 2007, an article on YanksAbroad.com reported that Lapira would be joining Scottish Premier League
side Aberdeen
for a trial at some point during the 2007 summer, although, he eventually went on trial at Rangers
instead. Lapira broke down with a calf injury minutes into his first training session with the Ibrox club. In January 2008, Lapira finally joined Aberdeen for a week-long trial after recovering from his calf injury and regaining match fitness. He played for the reserve side in a 1-1 draw with Falkirk
reserves but did not do enough to earn a contract with the Dons.
Instead, Lapira was selected in the 3rd Round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft
by Toronto FC
, but never signed a contract with Major League Soccer
.
On April 1, 2008, Lapira signed with Norwegian Adeccoligaen
side Nybergsund IL-Trysil, who played in the second tier after being promoted from the third tier in 2007. Lapira scored a brace in his Nybergsund debut, a 3-0 victory.
In March 2011, Lapira signed for I-League 2nd Division
side United Sikkim FC
.
. He qualifies for the Republic by virtue of his Irish mother Bridie, and came to the attention of former Irish boss Steve Staunton. He gained a cap for Ireland
on May 23, 2007 against Ecuador
, becoming the first amateur player to play for Ireland since Willie Browne
in 1964.
Family
Joseph is the son of Paul and Kate Lapira and brother to Maria and Michael Lapira. Joseph's paternal grandparents were from MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. Joseph lived in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
most of his life.
Career
Lapira graduated from St. Louis Catholic High SchoolSt. Louis Catholic High School (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
St. Louis Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It is the only Catholic high school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles.-Notes and references:...
in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
. After high school, he continued a family tradition and attended the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. In 2006, he was the winner of the 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:...
, awarded to the top collegiate player of the year, after scoring 22 goals for Notre Dame. During his college years, Lapira also played in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
with Louisiana Outlaws, Lafayette Swamp Cats
Lafayette Swamp Cats
Lafayette Swamp Cats were an American soccer team, founded in 2000. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They were given “provisional...
and most recently Baton Rouge Capitals
Baton Rouge Capitals
Baton Rouge Capitals is an American soccer team based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games...
.
On April 17, 2007, an article on YanksAbroad.com reported that Lapira would be joining Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
for a trial at some point during the 2007 summer, although, he eventually went on trial at Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
instead. Lapira broke down with a calf injury minutes into his first training session with the Ibrox club. In January 2008, Lapira finally joined Aberdeen for a week-long trial after recovering from his calf injury and regaining match fitness. He played for the reserve side in a 1-1 draw with Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
reserves but did not do enough to earn a contract with the Dons.
Instead, Lapira was selected in the 3rd Round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft
2008 MLS SuperDraft
The 2008 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 18, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the ninth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was made by the Kansas City Wizards, after acquiring the selection from the expansion San Jose Earthquakes...
by Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
, but never signed a contract with 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...
.
On April 1, 2008, Lapira signed with Norwegian Adeccoligaen
Adeccoligaen
The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen....
side Nybergsund IL-Trysil, who played in the second tier after being promoted from the third tier in 2007. Lapira scored a brace in his Nybergsund debut, a 3-0 victory.
In March 2011, Lapira signed for I-League 2nd Division
I-League 2nd Division
The I-League 2nd Division is the second highest division of football in India after the I-League....
side United Sikkim FC
United Sikkim FC
United Sikkim Football Club is an Indian football club based in Sikkim in northeast India. The club is currently participating in the I-League 2nd Division...
.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | Division | League | Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 2008 2008 in Norwegian football The 2008-season is the 103. season of competitive football in Norway.*Tippeligaen 2008 *Adeccoligaen 2008 *Norwegian Football Cup 2008*Toppserien 2008 -Men's national team:... |
Nybergsund-Trysil | Adeccoligaen Adeccoligaen The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen.... |
29 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 8 |
| 2009 2009 in Norwegian football The 2009-season is the 104. season of competitive football in Norway.*2009 Tippeligaen *2009 Adeccoligaen *2009 Norwegian Football Cup*2009 Toppserien -Men's national team:... |
Adeccoligaen Adeccoligaen The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen.... |
26 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 8 | |
| 2011 2011 I-League 2nd Division The 2011 I-League 2nd Division is the fourth season of the second division of the I-League, the Indian professional football league. A total of 21 teams were divided into three groups and top two teams from each group played in final round, they will be joined by Shillong Lajong FC and Sporting... |
United Sikkim | I-League 2nd Division I-League 2nd Division The I-League 2nd Division is the second highest division of football in India after the I-League.... |
3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 2011 2011 in Norwegian football The 2011-season is the 106. season of competitive football in Norway.The season began on 18 March 2011 for Tippeligaen, 03 April 2011 for Adeccoligaen, with Fair Play ligaen and 3. Divisjon both starting six days later on 09 April 2011. 2. Divisjon, and 3... |
Nybergsund-Trysil | Adeccoligaen Adeccoligaen The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen.... |
7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Career Total | 65 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 19 | ||
International career
Lapira is a full international for the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. He qualifies for the Republic by virtue of his Irish mother Bridie, and came to the attention of former Irish boss Steve Staunton. He gained a cap for Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
on May 23, 2007 against Ecuador
Ecuador national football team
The Ecuadorian national football team represents Ecuador in international football competitions and is controlled by the Ecuadorian Football Federation. They generally play official home matches at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, but often play friendlies in other stadiums around the country...
, becoming the first amateur player to play for Ireland since Willie Browne
Willie Browne
Willie Browne was an Irish soccer player during the 1960s.A Bohemian F.C. legend, he was the last amateur to have been capped for the full Ireland national team for 43 years until Joseph Lapira was capped against Ecuador in May 2007.- Career :...
in 1964.
Awards and honours
- M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Winner (2006)
- Soccer America National
- Player of the Year (2006)
- All-America First Team (2006)
- All-BIG EAST First Team (2006)
- BIG EAST Offensive
- Player of the Year (2006)
- All-BIG EAST Third Team (2005)