Mike Windischmann
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mike" Windischmann (born Nuremberg
, Germany
) is a retired American soccer defender
who played in both the Major Indoor Soccer League and the American Soccer League
. He earned fifty caps with the U.S. national team and was the captain of the U.S. team at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
in New York City
. He began playing soccer when he was six years old and developed as a player, not in the school system, but playing for local New York City clubs. These included Blau-Weiss Gottschee, S.C. Gjoa and Queens United. He played college soccer at Adelphi University
. In 1986, Adelphi University inducted Windischmann into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/adel/sports/m-soccer/auto_pdf/Honorsandawards.pdf in 1986, Windischmann chose an alternate career from most of his peers. At the time, the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) was the destination of choice for collegiate soccer players. Windischmann decided instead to play for the Brooklyn Italians of New York City's Cosmopolitan League
. He played two seasons with the Italians before joining the Los Angeles Lazers
of MISL. His single season with the Lazers ran the 1988 to 1989 season when the team folded at the end of the season. Windischmann then moved to the Albany Capitals
of the American Soccer League
for another single season. At the end of the 1990 season, Windischmann retired from professional soccer.
. That year he also played for the U.S. at the 1985 World University Games
. Two years later, in 1987, he again played at the World University Games. That year, he was also on the U.S. team at the 1987 Pan American Games
. The U.S. went 1-1-1 and did not make the second round.
Windischmann earned his first cap with the senior national team in 1984. However, the three years of 1988 to 1990 saw his international career reach its height. It began with the 1988 Summer Olympics
where Windischmann was a member of the U.S. team
. Windischmann considers one of his all time career highlights, scoring a goal in a 1-1 tie with Argentina
. Despite this excellent result, the U.S. finished the first round at 1-1-1 and did not qualify for the second round.
Despite this disappointment, Windischmann saw more personal success the next year when he was chosen as the 1989 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
. He was also named as the captain for the 1990 FIFA World Cup
qualification games. While 1990 saw the end of his professional playing career, it also saw Windischmann's greatest achievement when he captained the U.S. team at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
. This was the first time the U.S. had made it to the World Cup since 1950. By the time Windischmann retired in 1990, he held the national-team record for the most consecutive games played (36) and started (33).
Windischmann also played for the U.S. at the 1989 and 1992 FIFA Futsal World Championship
which finished third and second respectively. He earned 24 caps
and scored 4 goals for the United States national futsal team
between 1986 and 1992.
In 2004, he was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
He currently teaches and coaches at the Susan B. Anthony Academy, New York. He is also the technical director of the Brooklyn Knights, which plays in New York's Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League.
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) is a retired American soccer defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played in both the Major Indoor Soccer League and the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He earned fifty caps with the U.S. national team and was the captain of the U.S. team at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
.
Youth
Although born in Germany, Windischmann's family moved to the United States when he was an infant. He attended Thomas Edison High SchoolThomas A. Edison High School (New York City)
Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School is a public secondary school in Queens's Jamaica community in New York City. It is one of the few public high schools in New York City to offer vocational training programs as well as traditional college preparatory tracks and well known...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He began playing soccer when he was six years old and developed as a player, not in the school system, but playing for local New York City clubs. These included Blau-Weiss Gottschee, S.C. Gjoa and Queens United. He played college soccer at Adelphi University
Adelphi University
Adelphi University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Garden City, in Nassau County, New York, United States. It is the oldest institution of higher education on Long Island. For the sixth year, Adelphi University has been named a “Best Buy” in higher education by the Fiske Guide to...
. In 1986, Adelphi University inducted Windischmann into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Professional
After graduating from Adelphi UniversityAdelphi University
Adelphi University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Garden City, in Nassau County, New York, United States. It is the oldest institution of higher education on Long Island. For the sixth year, Adelphi University has been named a “Best Buy” in higher education by the Fiske Guide to...
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/adel/sports/m-soccer/auto_pdf/Honorsandawards.pdf in 1986, Windischmann chose an alternate career from most of his peers. At the time, the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) was the destination of choice for collegiate soccer players. Windischmann decided instead to play for the Brooklyn Italians of New York City's Cosmopolitan League
Cosmopolitan Soccer League
The Cosmopolitan Soccer League is an amateur soccer league consisting of clubs based in and around New York City. Established in 1923, it is one of the oldest soccer leagues in the United States and has contributed greatly to the nation's soccer history...
. He played two seasons with the Italians before joining the Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers were a soccer team based out of Los Angeles that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1982 to 1989.-History:Major Indoor Soccer League awarded a Los Angeles franchise to Jerry Buss on June 24, 1982. Buss had purchased the Philadelphia Fever and wanted to move it to...
of MISL. His single season with the Lazers ran the 1988 to 1989 season when the team folded at the end of the season. Windischmann then moved to the Albany Capitals
Albany Capitals
The Albany Capitals joined the third incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1989. The team joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the ASL merged with the Western Soccer League...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
for another single season. At the end of the 1990 season, Windischmann retired from professional soccer.
National team
In 1985, Windischmann played for the U.S. at the U-16 World Cup1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship
The 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship was held in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Dalian in People's Republic of China from July 31, 1985 to August 11, 1985...
. That year he also played for the U.S. at the 1985 World University Games
Universiade
The Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation . The name is a combination of the words "University" and "olympiad"...
. Two years later, in 1987, he again played at the World University Games. That year, he was also on the U.S. team at the 1987 Pan American Games
Football at the 1987 Pan American Games
The tenth edition of the Men's Football Tournament at the Pan American Games was held at the William Kuntz Soccer Center in Indianapolis, United States from August 9 to August 21, 1987. Twelve teams competed, with title defender Uruguay missing...
. The U.S. went 1-1-1 and did not make the second round.
Windischmann earned his first cap with the senior national team in 1984. However, the three years of 1988 to 1990 saw his international career reach its height. It began with the 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
where Windischmann was a member of the U.S. team
United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics
The United States competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. 527 competitors, 332 men and 195 women, took part in 230 events in 27 sports.- Gold:* Jay Barrs — Archery, Men's Individual Competition...
. Windischmann considers one of his all time career highlights, scoring a goal in a 1-1 tie with Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
. Despite this excellent result, the U.S. finished the first round at 1-1-1 and did not qualify for the second round.
Despite this disappointment, Windischmann saw more personal success the next year when he was chosen as the 1989 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year
The U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year is given by the United States Soccer Federation to the American soccer players judged best in the calendar year. It is the longest running major American soccer award...
. He was also named as the captain for the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
qualification games. While 1990 saw the end of his professional playing career, it also saw Windischmann's greatest achievement when he captained the U.S. team at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
. This was the first time the U.S. had made it to the World Cup since 1950. By the time Windischmann retired in 1990, he held the national-team record for the most consecutive games played (36) and started (33).
Windischmann also played for the U.S. at the 1989 and 1992 FIFA Futsal World Championship
FIFA Futsal World Championship
The FIFA Futsal World Cup is the international championship for futsal, an indoor version of association football.The world championship tournament is held every four years, on the even year between two FIFA World Cups. The first event was held in 1989, the year FIFA became the world governing body...
which finished third and second respectively. He earned 24 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...
and scored 4 goals for the United States national futsal team
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...
between 1986 and 1992.
In 2004, he was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
.
He currently teaches and coaches at the Susan B. Anthony Academy, New York. He is also the technical director of the Brooklyn Knights, which plays in New York's Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League.