Full name Joseph Morrone, Jr. Name Joe Jr. Position Midfielder Years Team Parents Joe Morrone | 1977–1980 UConn Height 1.89 m Playing position Role Soccer player | |
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Date of birth (1959-03-19) March 19, 1959 (age 56) Place of birth Middlebury, Connecticut, United States | ||
Joseph M. "Joe Jr." Morrone. is a former U.S. soccer midfielder. He was the 1980 Hermann Trophy as the top collegiate player of the year and the 1981 North American Soccer League Rookie of the Year.
Morrone, son of legendary UConn soccer coach, Joseph J. Morrone, attended the University of Connecticut from 1977 to 1980 where he starred on his father's team. In 1980, he capped his four years at the school with first team All American honors and the Hermann Trophy as the best college players that year. He finished his career at UConn with 158 points on 61 goals and 36 assists, career records which stand today.
In 1980, Morrone joined the U.S. Olympic team as it began qualification for the 1980 Summer Olympics. Morrone scored two major goals for the U.S. team, the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Suriname and another winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Costa Rica. The U.S. finished tops in qualification, but did not get to play as President Carter boycotted the Soviet games after that nation invaded Afghanistan.
He was drafted by the Tulsa Roughnecks of the North American Soccer League. He garnered Rookie of the Year honors in 1981. He played the 1981 and part of the 1982 season with Tulsa. He also appeared in 18 indoor games for them between 1980 and 1982. In May 1982 the Roughnecks traded Morrone to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for Todd Saldana and two draft choices. Morrone played the 1982 NASL and the 1982–1983 Major Indoor Soccer League season with the Earthquakes. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Spirit of the MISL. He unexpectedly retired on March 5, 1984 stating he was burned out on soccer and wished to complete his business degree.