| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph M. Morrone | ||
| Date of birth | (1959-03-19)March 19, 1959 (age 66) | ||
| Place of birth | Middlebury, Vermont, U.S. | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1977–1980 | UConn Huskies | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1980–1982 | Tulsa Roughnecks(indoor) | 28 | (11) |
| 1981–1982 | Tulsa Roughnecks | 35 | (9) |
| 1982 | San Jose Earthquakes | 12 | (0) |
| 1982–1983 | Golden Bay Earthquakes(indoor) | 30 | (0) |
| 1983–1984 | Pittsburgh Spirit(indoor) | 34 | (10) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Joseph M. Morrone (sometimes called Joe Jr. in error) (March 19, 1959–) is a former U.S. soccermidfielder who is the son of soccer coachJoe Morrone, Joseph J. Morrone Jr. While playing for theUConn Huskies, he won the 1980Hermann Trophy as the top collegiate player of the year and the 1981North American Soccer League Rookie of the Year. At the time, Morrone was the most decorated athlete in the University of Connecticut's history.[1]
Morrone played soccer atE. O. Smith High School, where he was All-American and State Champion in 1976 and 1977. His father wasUConn soccer coachJoseph J. Morrone Jr. Morrone attended theUniversity of Connecticut from 1977 to 1980 where he starred on his father's team. In 1980, he capped his four years at the school withfirst team All American honors and theHermann Trophy as the best college players that year. He finished his career at UConn with 158 points on 61 goals and 36 assists.
In 1980, Morrone joined the U.S. Olympic team as it began qualification for the1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. Morrone scored two winning goals for the U.S. team in a 2–1 victory overSuriname and a 1–0 victory overCosta Rica. The U.S. finished tops in qualification but did not get to play because PresidentJimmy Carter boycotted the games after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.
Morrone was drafted by theTulsa Roughnecks of theNorth American Soccer League. He garnered Rookie of the Year honors in 1981.[2] He played the 1981 and part of the 1982 season with Tulsa. He also appeared in 18indoor games for them between 1980 and 1982. In May 1982 the Roughnecks traded Morrone to theSan Jose Earthquakes in exchange forTodd Saldana and two draft choices.[3]
Morrone played the 1982 NASL and the 1982–1983Major Indoor Soccer League season with the Earthquakes. He then signed with thePittsburgh Spirit. He unexpectedly retired on March 5, 1984, stating he was burned out on soccer and wished to complete his business degree.[4]