Defender
Bobby Smith
6' 0"
The biography of retired USMNT soccer player and National Soccer Hall of Famer Bobby Smith who won three NASL championships.
Caps: 18
Bobby Smith was a mainstay in the United States defense in the mid 1970’s, a time when the US focused mainly on qualifying for the World Cup. Smith was part of the ’78 campaign and earned his last cap in the warm-up before the qualifying run in 1980. For his clubs,Smith was an elite player and a rarity for US soccer during that period, getting European experience with Dundalk in 1974-75.
A three-time North American Soccer League champion, Smith was part of the remarkable Philadelphia Atoms, champions in their expansion year, and the Pele-fueled Cosmos. He also spent time in the Major Indoor Soccer League with the Philadelphia Fever. He retired as a member of the NASL’s Montreal Manic in 1981.
Smith was inducted as a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame class of 2007.
College and High School: Four-year letterman at Rider University where he was an offensive player and a two-time All-Middle Atlantic Conference West Division Most Valuable Player. Product of Steinert High School.
USMNT Experience
1980
Part of the World Cup qualifying campaign. Played his last game for the US against Portugal in Lisbon on Oct. 7th.
1976
Appeared in the World Cup Qualifiers for '78. Played in the Bicentenntial Cup against Brazil, England, and Italy on a Team America squad that included foreign NASL stars like Pele, Bobby Moore, and Giorgio Chinaglia.
1975
Part of the US squad in another transitional year with multiple coaches.
1974
Played in both games on the US schedule as part of new head coach Detmar Cramer's squad, both losses to Mexico in a September home and home series.
1973
Earned his first cap against Poland on Aug. 12th in a transitional year for the National Team program.
Professional Experience
1981
Signed with the Montreal Manic and retired at the end of the season.
1980
Signed with the Philadelphia Fury of the NASL, and the Philadelphia Fever of the MISL.
1979
Signed with the San Diego Sockers.
1978
Won his second Soccer Bowl with the Cosmos and his third NASL championship, tied with two other players for the most NASL championships.
1977
Part of the Soccer Bowl winning squad.
1976
Moved to the New York Cosmos.
1975
First American to be named to the NASL All-Star team.
1974
Played with Dundalk in the Irish League during the NASL offseason.
1973
Member of the expansion Philadelphia Atoms that won the North American Soccer League championship.
