Doyle, Vermes join USL as Super Y-League ODP Technical Directors
March 18, 2003
United Soccer Leagues announced today the addition of former A-League, Major League Soccer and US National Team stars John Doyle and New Jersey native Peter Vermes to the USL staff as Super Y-League ODP Technical Directors.
Former MLS Defenders of the Year to aid in player identification for US National Teams
TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced today the addition of former A-League, Major League Soccer and US National Team stars John Doyle and Peter Vermes to the USL staff as Super Y-League ODP Technical Directors.
“Both John and Pete have demonstrated exceptional skill, hard work and effort as world class players and are now transferring that experience into high level youth coaching,” said Dave Askinas, USL COO. “Not only have they invested their time in becoming world class athletes, but US Soccer has invested a tremendous amount of time and money in their development. We at USL recognized that investment and decided to capitalize on it. These former national team players have a wealth of experience playing in the US and in European professional leagues and will be expected to impart their knowledge and experience to our club coaches and young stars of tomorrow. Both John and Peter have impeccable soccer resumes. Their affiliation with USL and the Super Y-League helps us to fulfill our mission at the Super Y-League, namely, the creation of a professionalized system of player development in North America.”
The pair will be responsible for overseeing and developing the SYL national scouting network to identify players for US National team programs. Both Doyle and Vermes will jointly work together with the Super Y-League Regional Staff Coaches to ensure that the scouting system is properly identifying the top youth soccer talent in the US and American based players in Canada within the SYL. This includes developing scouting initiatives, expanding the scope of the scouting process, aiding scouts with identification techniques and working with US Soccer National Staff and Team coaches.
“All along we have known that the success of the ODP programs of the SYL will be heavily focused on the scouting staff,” said Matt Weibe, Director of the Super Y-League. “Not only has the USL brought in two of the most prominent and respected soccer leaders in the United States to oversee the program, but has also selected an incredible Regional Coaching Staff for the scouting program. Both John and Peter have not only competed at the highest levels of the game, but have a concrete understanding of the soccer structure in the US, which is a vital component to expanding the scope of the national scouting network.”
The pair, who are also athlete representatives to the US Soccer Board of Directors, will also be present at each of the Regional Identification Weekends and the League Finals to aid the National Staff Coaches with the scouting of players. Through the professionalized system of USL, plans are also being developed for the duo to oversee a team comprised of the top youth talent in the league on an overseas tour to expose players to top European professional clubs.
“The soccer experience and knowledge that John and Peter bring to the Super Y-League is invaluable,” said John Ellinger, US Soccer Director of Youth Development and U17 Men’s National Team Head Coach. “They have played at a high level in this country, and what they will be able to contribute to the league and its players is something few can match. The Super Y-League has done great things for youth soccer, and the hiring of these two accomplished players demonstrates the league’s desire to continue to be one of the top developmental leagues in the country.”
“I’m excited about being involved with the Super Y-League by looking at and helping to create a player development system in which kids can rise to the top through an organized system,” said Vermes. “When I was a kid, there were many ways to fall through the cracks and with the addition of programs like this, we are drastically reducing the problem.”
“I always knew that once my playing career was over that I wanted to continue in soccer administratively or in coaching,” added Vermes. “This position kind of gives me the opportunity to do both. I have enjoyed working with USL, which no matter what idea was presented to them or whatever endeavors they undertook, they did so with one premise in mind – to do what was good for the game.”
John Doyle
Doyle recently finished his playing career after five years with San Jose in Major League Soccer. In his five years as a defender for the Earthquakes, the two-time MLS All-Star and 1996 MLS Defender of the Year logged over 11,000 minutes of playing time and tallied 11 goals and 15 assists.
Prior to MLS, Doyle played professionally in the A-League and overseas in Sweden and Germany. He played two seasons with the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, helping the team capture the 1991 APSL championship. In 1995, Doyle was named the APSL Defender of the Year while playing for the Atlanta Ruckus.
Doyle also enjoyed a lengthy tenure with the US National Team from 1987-94. He played in the 1998 Olympics in Seoul and 1990 World Cup in Italy. He made 53 appearances with the national team, recording three goals and two assists.
Peter Vermes
Vermes, who announced his retirement as a player last week, joins USL after finishing his career with the Kansas City Wizards last season. Vermes helped lead the Wizards to the 2000 MLS Cup title in his first of three years with the club. Prior to joining Kansas City, the 2000 MLS All-Star and MLS Defender of the Year spent three seasons in Colorado with the Rapids. He began his MLS career with the MetroStars in 1996. Vermes tallied 11 goals and 17 assists in MLS while logging over 16,000 minutes. He ranks seventh on the All-Time MLS list in minutes (16,465) and fourth in the single-season minutes with 2,916 in 2000.
Prior to MLS, Vermes played abroad in Spain, Holland and Hungary. He was the first American to play in the First Division in Holland and Hungary. He played for Figueras (Spain) in 1991, FC Volendam (Holland) in 1990 and Raba Eto (Hungary) in 1989.
Vermes also enjoyed a lengthy career with the US National Team from 1988-97 with additional call-ups for training in recent years. He played in the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. The 1988 Chevrolet Athlete of the Year made 67 appearances and has scored 11 goals, which ranks 10th All-Time for the Men’s National Team. He also ranks 13th in points (25) and 20th in games started (59).
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