Don Droege is a former U.S. soccer defender who played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and three seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned eight caps with the U.S. national team between 1977 and 1979.

[edit] Youth and college

Droege grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and attended Christian Brothers College High School where he was the soccer team's 1971 and 1972 defensive MVP. He was also co-captain of the 1972 team.^[1] In addition to playing soccer, he was also a baseball letterman his senior year. After graduating from high school, Droege attended St. Louis University, playing on the men's soccer team from 1973 to 1976.

[edit] NASL

In 1977, Droege signed with the Rochester Lancers of the North American Soccer League (NASL). In December 1978, the Lancers traded Droege to the Washington Diplomats.^[2] The Diplomats folded at the end of the 1980 season and Droege was selected by the New England Tea Men in the dispersal draft. However, the Tea Men sold his contract to the Atlanta Chiefs for the 1981 season. However, by that time the NASL's decline was accelerating and the Chiefs folded at the end of the season. Droege moved again, this time to the Tulsa Roughnecks. However, after eighteen games, the Roughnecks traded Droege to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in exchange for Njego Pesa and Terry Moore.^[3] He saw time in seven games for the Rowdies in 1982. In 1983, Droege finished his NASL career with the Chicago Sting.

[edit] MISL

In 1980, Droege signed with the Chicago Horizon of Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). The Horizon lasted only one season before folding. Droege did not return to the MISL until he left the NASL in 1983. That fall, Droege returned to Saint Louis to sign with the St. Louis Steamers. He spent two seasons with the Steamers before retiring from playing professionally in 1985.

[edit] National team

Droege's first game with the national team came in a 3-1 loss to Guatemala on September 18, 1977. Nine days later, he came on as a substitute in a 3-0 loss to Mexico. From that point on, he played the rest of the U.S. games in 1977. He played in only one of the three U.S. games in 1978, then earned his last cap on May 2, 1979 in a 6-0 loss to France.^[4]

Droege was inducted into St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.^[5]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• NASL/MISL stats