Richard Chinapoo
Encyclopedia
Richard Chinapoo was a Trinidad soccer defender
who had an extensive career, primarily in the United States. Chinapoo spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League
, eight in the National Professional Soccer League and at least eight in the Major Indoor Soccer League
. He also played with the Trinidad and Tobago national team
.
in Trinidad. In 1978, he entered Long Island University
in the United States. In addition to his studies, he played on the men’s soccer team from 1978 to 1981, earning second team All American recognition in 1978, 1979 and 1989. In 1981, he was selected as a first team All American
. He finished his four seasons with the Blackbirds with fifty-five career goals and was inducted into the Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
of the North American Soccer League
. He ultimately spent two seasons with New York. Some sources show Chinapoo as playing for two Trinidad clubs, Malvern and San Juan Jabloteh
, but the dates are unknown. At some point, he joined the Baltimore Blast
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL). On September 8, 1988, Chinapoo signed as a free agent with the Dallas Sidekicks
. He spent two season with the Sidekicks before returning to Baltimore on August 6, 1990. On October 15, 1991, Chinapoo signed as a free agent with the Sidekicks. This time, he played only a year. In 1992, MISL collapsed and several teams and most of the players jumped to the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). Chinapoo left Dallas and signed with the Harrisburg Heat
of NPSL. He would remain in Harrisburg for the remainder of his professional career, retiring from playing in 2000. He was inducted into the Heat Hall of Fame on November 3, 2001.
, but the numbers and dates are unknown. His name first appears on current records during an August 17, 1980 World Cup qualification victory over Haiti
. He played with the national team until at least June 11, 1989 when he played another World Cup qualification game, this time a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica
.
. After he retired from playing in 2001, Chinapoo become a full time head coach. In 2001, he was named the NPSL Coach of the Year. On August 11, 2002, after posting a 10-34 record during the 2001-2002 season, the Heat management released Chinapoo. He is currently the Technical Director of the Capital Area Soccer Association in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
.
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 had an extensive career, primarily in the United States. Chinapoo spent two seasons 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:...
, eight in the National Professional Soccer League and at least eight in the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. He also played with the Trinidad and Tobago national team
Trinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
.
College
Chinapoo first attended college at Trinity CollegeTrinity College, Moka
Trinity College is an Anglican assisted secondary school, located in Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago.- History :Trinity College was founded as a private secondary school in January 1958 at Melbourne Street in Port of Spain....
in Trinidad. In 1978, he entered Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
in the United States. In addition to his studies, he played on the men’s soccer team from 1978 to 1981, earning second team All American recognition in 1978, 1979 and 1989. In 1981, he was selected as a first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
. He finished his four seasons with the Blackbirds with fifty-five career goals and was inducted into the Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
Professional
On March 16, 1982 Chinapoo signed a one year contract with the New York CosmosNew York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
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:...
. He ultimately spent two seasons with New York. Some sources show Chinapoo as playing for two Trinidad clubs, Malvern and San Juan Jabloteh
San Juan Jabloteh
San Juan Jabloteh is a football club located in San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago that currently plays in the country's Pro League. The team plays its home games in Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad.- History :...
, but the dates are unknown. At some point, he joined the Baltimore Blast
Baltimore Blast (1980-92)
Baltimore Blast were a longtime member of the Major Indoor Soccer League. From 1978 to 1980, the team was played as Houston Summit but moved prior to the 1980-81 season. The team won the league's championship in 1984. The team folded when the MISL ceased operation in the summer of 1992.-History:The...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL). On September 8, 1988, Chinapoo signed as a free agent with the Dallas Sidekicks
Dallas Sidekicks
The Dallas Sidekicks were one of the longest operating professional soccer teams, either indoor or outdoor, in the United States, based in Dallas, Texas, and operating from 1984 until suspending operations following the 2004 season. The team was founded as a member of the original Major Indoor...
. He spent two season with the Sidekicks before returning to Baltimore on August 6, 1990. On October 15, 1991, Chinapoo signed as a free agent with the Sidekicks. This time, he played only a year. In 1992, MISL collapsed and several teams and most of the players jumped to the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). Chinapoo left Dallas and signed with 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...
of NPSL. He would remain in Harrisburg for the remainder of his professional career, retiring from playing in 2000. He was inducted into the Heat Hall of Fame on November 3, 2001.
National team
Chinapoo played numerous games with the Trinidad and Tobago national teamTrinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
, but the numbers and dates are unknown. His name first appears on current records during an August 17, 1980 World Cup qualification victory over Haiti
Haiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
. He played with the national team until at least June 11, 1989 when he played another World Cup qualification game, this time a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica
Costa Rica national football team
The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
.
Coach
In 1998, Chinapoo became a player-coach with the Harrisburg HeatHarrisburg 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...
. After he retired from playing in 2001, Chinapoo become a full time head coach. In 2001, he was named the NPSL Coach of the Year. On August 11, 2002, after posting a 10-34 record during the 2001-2002 season, the Heat management released Chinapoo. He is currently the Technical Director of the Capital Area Soccer Association in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
.