Anthony Maher (born March 18, 1979 in Cape May, New Jersey, United States) is a forward with the American Philadelphia KiXX of the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL). Maher is also a member of the United States National Futsal team and a National Team 'pool player' that took part in the 2007 Pan-American Games in Brazil.

[edit] Amateur

He started playing soccer in Cape May County New Jersey as a member of the Cape Express Soccer Club. He played High School Soccer at Middle Township High School in New Jersey.

[edit] College

Anthony Maher attended Mercyhurst College on an athletic scholarship. He was a 2001 NSCAA First Team All-American. He was additionally, a four time All-GLIAC selection including Time Conference Player of the Year and All Time Goal Scorer in college history. He was captain of the team and led Mercyhurst to two Division II NSCAA Final Fours. While in college was a member of the USL Premier Development League (PDL) with the West Michigan Edge and set franchise records for goals (14) and points (34 points) and was named to the 2001 All PDL team. Maher was then 1 of 2 Division II players asked to take part in the UMBRO Senior Classic MLS Combine.

[edit] Professional career

Anthony Maher started his professional soccer career with the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Second Division in 2002. He was the Hammerhead's team MVP and an All League selection his rookie season, leading the team to the National Championship Game. That fall, Maher joined the Cleveland Force of Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). He was the 'Team Rookie of the Year' and to the selected to the All League Rookie First Team. In 2003, the Force traded Maher to the Kansas City Comets in exchange for Nick Corneli.^[1] Maher was named the Comets' "Newcomer of the Year" producing an 28 goals and 10 assists. He followed that with 20 goals and 5 assists in only 14 games his second season with the Comets before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The Comets folded at then end of the 2004–2005 season and Maher signed with the Milwaukee Wave United of the USL A-League, playing one season with them. He then signed with the California Cougars of MISL in the fall of 2005. He played only seven games with the Cougars before being traded to the Chicago Storm in exchange for John Ball. Maher finished the season, playing fifteen games in Chicago. In 2006, Maher signed with the outdoor Syracuse Salty Dogs where he was the Teams's Offensive Player of the Year and the Army Man of the Year for high work rate. (?According to the team's wikipedia article page however, the team ceased operations in 2004.) The Salty Dogs folded at the end of the season and Maher moved to the Rochester Raging Rhinos. However, he never played for Rochester due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. On October 17, 2006, the Storm traded Maher and Tijani Ayegbusi to the Milwaukee Wave for Randy Soderman and Alen Osmanovic.^[2] In 2007, Maher signed with the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division, where he scored the team's only goal in the semifinal loss to the New England Revolution in the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Maher did not sign with the RailHawks for 2008 and is currently with the Philadelphia KiXX.

[edit] Personal

Anthony Maher is currently a spokesperson for 'Athletes in Action' as well as sponsored nationally by POWERBAR as a TEAM ELITE MEMBER for 2008 and 2009. Anthony Maher is the founder of the Maher Brother's Pro Touch Soccer Camps (www.maherbrotherssoccer.com) that run camp programs in southern New Jersey. He is also the founder of "King of the Court-Official Soccer Tennis Tournament" (www.kingofthecourt.net), tournaments take place nationwide. Maher has also been nominated for 2008 induction into South Jersey Soccer Hall of Fame and is married to Wayne State College Women's Soccer player and Brookfield Wisconsin native Anne Marie Collins.

His brother, Matthew Maher also plays for the Philadelphia KiXX in the NISL and had also played alongside Anthony with the RailHawks during the 2007 season. Anthony and Matt were the first brothers to play against each other in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. His other brother, Mike Maher, also played and captained the Division 1 college soccer team at the United States Naval Academy; and is currently the Fire Control Officer on USS NITZE, DDG-94. His father, John D. Maher, is head coach of Middle Township High School boys Soccer Team in his hometown, Middle Township New Jersey.

[edit] References