Defender
Thomas Dooley
6' 1"
Biography of retired USMNT soccer player and National Soccer Hall of famer Thomas Dooley who played in the 1994 and 98 World Cups.
Caps: 81 | Goals: 7
Considered one of the key players for the USMNT in the 1990’s, Thomas Dooley brought the professionalism he earned through years in the German professional leagues. The son of a US serviceman, Dooley was eligible to represent the United States and he took that option in 1992. Appearing in the 1994 and ’98 World Cups, Dooley captained the USMNT in France. After 14 years in the German leagues, including a German Cup win with Kaiserslautern in 1990 and a UEFA Cup win with Schalke in ’97, Dooley signed with Major League Soccer and joined Columbus in the summer of ’97. He retired in 2000 and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010.
“I always loved America even though I have never visit the country. What I knew had come from TV and some books. Suddenly, I got invited to play for the US and the World Cup. Actually, that was a very, very easy decision for me, but I asked my step-dad about the decision first. His opinion was very important to me.” from 10 Questions With Thomas Dooley
Dooley coached the Philippines National Team from 2013-18.
USMNT Experience
2003
Honored with star at the U.S. Soccer Star Plaza at Home Depot Center for playing in two World Cups.
1999
Captained the team in his final match in a 2-1 win over Chile on February 21.
1998
Started all three games for the U.S. at the 1998 World Cup in France.
1997
Only U.S. player to play every minute of the last five qualifying matches in which the U.S. went 3-0-2.
1997
Started all 10 games for the U.S. leading them to a record of 4-2-4.
1996
Tallied a game-winning goal in a World Cup qualifying match vs. Trinidad & Tobago on November 10.
1996
Scored two goals and led the U.S. team to a 6-2-1 record with him in the line-up.
1995
Started nine games in 1995, scoring the USA's second goal in its 4-0 drubbing of Mexico in U.S. Cup '95.
1995
Started all but one game for the USA in its title run for U.S. Cup '95 and semifinal appearance in Copa America, despite suffering a stress fracture in his left ankle during U.S. Cup '95.
1994
Played a career high 22 games and over 1829 minutes for the U.S.
1994
The only U.S. midfielder to play every minute of every game during the '94 World Cup.
1993
U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year and Futbol de Primera Player of the Year scoring four goals and two assists in 17 matches.
1993
Scored three goals in as many games in U.S. Cup '93, including his first U.S. goal in the historic 2-0 upset of England and two goals against Germany.
1992
Played every minute of the USA's U.S. Cup '92 championship.
1992
Made first international appearance for U.S. May 30 vs. Ireland.
Professional Experience
2000
Started 17 of 20 games with MetroStars in final professional season.
2000
Acquired in a trade by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars from Columbus for Mike Duhaney.
1999
Started 19 of 25 games for Crew assisting on one goal; named MLS All-Star.
1998
Started all 23 games for Columbus scoring a goal and two assists leading the Crew to the Eastern Conference finals.
1998
Named to MLS Best 11 and a 1998 All-Star and won MLS Fair Play Award.
1997
Named to MLS Best 11 and finished second in voting for MLS Defender of the Year.
1997
Scored his first MLS goal in his MLS debut on June 21 vs. MetroStars on a header.
1997
Transferred to Columbus Crew where he scored four goals and an assist.
1996-97
After missing half the season with knee injury, he returned and played for Schalke in seven league games, starting three and scoring two goals.
1995-96
Won UEFA Cup with Schalke 04 defeating Inter Milan on penalty kicks.
1995-96
Returned to line-up from foot injury and helped lead Schalke to 19-1 record scoring two goals in seven league games. Transferred to Schalke 04, the team he idolized as a child, in the Summer.
1994-95
Transferred to Bayer Leverkusen.
1990-91
Scored four goals in 23 games helping Kaiserslautern win German Bundesliga.
1989-90
Won German Cup with Kaiserslautern.
1986-87
Played 24 games leading Homburg to a promotion to the Bundesliga.
1984-85
Helped Homburg win Third Division title and promotion to Second Division.
1984-85
Began professional career in German Third Division with Homburg scoring five goals in 38 games.
Youth and College
Youth and college: Joined Homburg from FK Pimaseus where he was a goal-scoring center forward in a top amateur league. Studied architecture for three semesters at the University of Kaiserslautern.
