Paul Toomey
Encyclopedia
Paul Toomey is a retired American soccer defender
who played professionally in the North American Soccer League
, American Soccer League
and the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Toomey attended the University of Pennsylvania
where he was a 1976 Honorable Mention (third team) and 1977 Second Team All American soccer player. In 1978, the Portland Timbers
selected Toomey in the first round of the North American Soccer League
draft. He played eight games for the Timbers in 1979. In the fall of 1979, he signed with the Hartford Hellions
of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He would play two indoor winter seasons with the Hellions. In 1980, the Hellions loaned Toomey to the San Jose Earthquakes
for the 1980 NASL season. In 1981, he played for the New England Sharks
of the American Soccer League
. In the fall of 1981, he joined the Pittsburgh Spirit
of MISL. In the summer of 1983, he had knee surgery. Complications from the surgery limited him to twelve games with the Spirit during the 1983-1984 season and his eventual retirement.
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 professionally in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, 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...
and the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Toomey attended the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
where he was a 1976 Honorable Mention (third team) and 1977 Second Team All American soccer player. In 1978, the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (NASL)
The Portland Timbers were a team in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two other soccer franchises: the Timbers of the WSA/APSL, Portland Timbers of the USL and the current team which began play as part of Major League Soccer in 2011.-History:In January...
selected Toomey in the first round of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
draft. He played eight games for the Timbers in 1979. In the fall of 1979, he signed with the Hartford Hellions
Hartford Hellions
The Hartford Hellions were a soccer team based out of Hartford, Connecticut that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They played from 1979 to 1981. The Hellions played their first season in the New Haven Coliseum before moving to the remodelled Hartford Civic Center.In May 1981, Athletes in...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He would play two indoor winter seasons with the Hellions. In 1980, the Hellions loaned Toomey to the San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes (NASL)
San Jose Earthquakes was a professional soccer club that played from 1974 to 1984. The team began as an expansion franchise in the North American Soccer League. From 1983 to 1984, the team was known as the Golden Bay Earthquakes...
for the 1980 NASL season. In 1981, he played for the New England Sharks
New England Sharks
The New England Sharks was an American soccer club based in Providence, Rhode Island that was a member of the American Soccer League.-1981 Roster: Mark Bryant Len Mercurio -Year-by-year:...
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...
. In the fall of 1981, he joined the Pittsburgh Spirit
Pittsburgh Spirit
Pittsburgh Spirit were an indoor soccer team based out of Pittsburgh and were one of the original six teams that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
of MISL. In the summer of 1983, he had knee surgery. Complications from the surgery limited him to twelve games with the Spirit during the 1983-1984 season and his eventual retirement.