Mike Apple
Encyclopedia
Michael Apple is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the USL A-League and several American indoor leagues. He was a member of the United States national futsal team
at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup
Apple attended Akron University where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1995 to 1998. He was a 1998 Third Team All American with the Zips. Apple finished his bachelor’s degree in sports management at Robert Morris University
.
In 1999, the Lehigh Valley Steam
selected Apple in the first round (twenty-seventh) overall of the USL A-League draft. The Steam traded him to the expansion Pittsburgh Riverhounds
during the pre-season. Apple would go on to play four seasons for the Riverhounds. In addition to playing the outdoor summer season with the Riverhounds, Apple also played the winter seasons, usually with indoor teams. However, in October 1999, he moved to Poland where he played briefly for Petro Płock. He returned to the United States and joined the Cleveland Crunch
of the National Professional Soccer League for the end of the 1999-2000 season. In 2003, Apple moved to the Cincinnati Riverhawks
before rejoining the Riverhounds in 2004. In the fall of 2003, Apple signed with the St. Louis Steamers of the second Major Indoor Soccer League
. On March 18, 2005, the Steamers traded Apple and Nate Houser
to the Baltimore Blast
in exchange for Carlos Farias
. He finished the season with the Blast. In November 2005, the Blast traded Apple to back to the St. Louis for future considerations. The Steamers folded at the end of the season and in September 2006, the Detroit Ignition
selected Apple in the dispersal draft. That year, Apple played his last season with the Riverhounds. He spent three seasons with the Ignition, the last in the Xtreme Soccer League
. That season, the Ignition won the league title.
United States national futsal team
The United States national futsal team is the futsal team that represents that United States at international competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and affiliated with CONCACAF. The U.S. Futsal Federation was founded in 1981 and the first international futsal match...
at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup
2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup
The 2008 edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup was held in Brazil from September 30 to October 19. It was the sixth World Championship held under the aegis of football's world governing body. The venues were Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasília and Ginásio do Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro. The...
Apple attended Akron University where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1995 to 1998. He was a 1998 Third Team All American with the Zips. Apple finished his bachelor’s degree in sports management at Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University is a private, coeducational university in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1921, the school was named for Robert Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and helped finance the ensuing war with the British.-History:Robert Morris...
.
In 1999, the Lehigh Valley Steam
Lehigh Valley Steam
Lehigh Valley Steam was a soccer club that competed in the A-League in 1999. Based in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, the club has problems securing a home stadium and folded after a single season. The club featured future U.S. national team player Kerry Zavagnin and was coached by Daryl...
selected Apple in the first round (twenty-seventh) overall of the USL A-League draft. The Steam traded him to the expansion Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
during the pre-season. Apple would go on to play four seasons for the Riverhounds. In addition to playing the outdoor summer season with the Riverhounds, Apple also played the winter seasons, usually with indoor teams. However, in October 1999, he moved to Poland where he played briefly for Petro Płock. He returned to the United States and joined the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
of the National Professional Soccer League for the end of the 1999-2000 season. In 2003, Apple moved to the Cincinnati Riverhawks
Cincinnati Riverhawks
The Cincinnati Riverhawks were a professional soccer team that debuted in the USISL Premier Development League in 1997 and joined the A-League from 1998 to 2003...
before rejoining the Riverhounds in 2004. In the fall of 2003, Apple signed with the St. Louis Steamers of the second Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
. On March 18, 2005, the Steamers traded Apple and Nate Houser
Nate Houser
Nate Houser is a retired American soccer player who coaches the Butler University men’s and women’s soccer teams. He played professionally in the A-League, National Professional Soccer League and second Major Indoor Soccer League.-Player:...
to the Baltimore Blast
Baltimore Blast (current)
Baltimore Blast is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Founded in 1992, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
in exchange for Carlos Farias
Carlos Farias
Carlos “Chile” Farias is a Chilean soccer forward who has spent his entire professional career in the United States. Over the years, he has played in five indoor and outdoor leagues, including Major League Soccer...
. He finished the season with the Blast. In November 2005, the Blast traded Apple to back to the St. Louis for future considerations. The Steamers folded at the end of the season and in September 2006, the Detroit Ignition
Detroit Ignition
The Detroit Ignition is a dormant American indoor soccer team that has played three seasons, most recently 2008-09.In April 2006, Greg Bibb, president of Hantz Group Sports and Entertainment, introduced the teams as a new Major Indoor Soccer League expansion team. They played at the Compuware...
selected Apple in the dispersal draft. That year, Apple played his last season with the Riverhounds. He spent three seasons with the Ignition, the last in the Xtreme Soccer League
Xtreme Soccer League
The Xtreme Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that began play in December 2008. Four teams from the former Major Indoor Soccer League participated in the first XSL season--- the Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition, Milwaukee Wave, and New Jersey Ironmen...
. That season, the Ignition won the league title.