Roy Wegerle

Roy Wegerle (born March 19, 1964 in Pretoria) is a South African-American soccer player, who played for the United States in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

Related Topics:
March 19 - 1964 - Pretoria - South Africa - American - Soccer - United States - 1994 - 1998 - World Cups

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Although born in South Africa, Wegerle went to the United States to play college soccer, doing so for the University of South Florida. In 1984, he played in the last year of the NASL with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and was named the Rookie of the Year. When the league folded, Wegerle moved to England, where he would play for Chelsea, Luton Town,Queens Park Rangers F.C. Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers.

Related Topics:
College soccer - University of South Florida - NASL - Tampa Bay Rowdies - England - Chelsea - Luton Town - Coventry City - Blackburn Rovers

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Wegerle gained his US citizenship in 1991, after being eligible through his American wife. He made his national team debut on May 30, 1992 against the Republic of Ireland, and would go on to record 41 caps and score seven goals for his adopted country. He was a key played in the 1994 World Cup and a fringe one in 1998.

Related Topics:
Citizenship - May 30 - 1992 - Republic of Ireland

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In 1996, Wegerle joined Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Colorado Rapids. He had very little success in MLS, playing for only three seasons and scoring a total of 10 league goals. The years were split between Colorado (he was also a caretaker head coach for one game after Bobby Houghton was fired), D.C. United, and the Tampa Bay Mutiny, when he was part of what is considered the most lop-sided trade in league history, when DC sent him to Tampa for Roy Lassiter. Lassiter was MLS's all-time leading goalscorer; Wegerle played half a season for the Mutiny before retiring.

Related Topics:
Major League Soccer - Colorado Rapids - Caretaker head coach - Bobby Houghton - D.C. United - Tampa Bay Mutiny - Roy Lassiter

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After his retirement, Wegerle has been trying to make it as a professional golfer. He has also been outspoken in his criticism of MLS, citing its lack of quality, which some claim is surprising as he did not play well in the league.

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