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by Joseph A. Machnik (Author)
From the "Sandlots to the World Cup" is an up close and personal look at the growth and development of soccer in America over the past seven decades. "Dr. Joe" Machnik first saw the game played in McCarren Park in his local neighborhood growing up in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York as a ten year old. He compared the game played by local ethnic clubs to the ice hockey games he saw in Madison Square Garden and on television. There were seemingly similar strategies, rules such as offside and of course goals and goalkeepers.
Machnik's passion for hockey and his infatuation with soccer led to his trying out and making his Brooklyn Technical High School team leading to his playing as a goalkeeper at Long Island University and being named an Honorable All-American in 1962.
During that time Machnik also played junior and senior ball for the New York Ukrainians of the German American Soccer League, a team for which he was back-up goalkeeper when it won the US Open Cup in 1965-66.
At LIU, Machnik learned to officiate most sports and began his soccer refereeing career in the Public School Athletic League. In 1966, Machnik was asked to take over the head coaching reins of his Alma Mater and led that team to the NCAA Championship Game as a 23 year old.
In 1969 Machnik moved to New Haven College (now University of New Haven) and coached both hockey and soccer. In 1976, New Haven played for the NCAA Division 2 National Championship. Having played in the NCAA National Tournament with LIU in 1963, and having coached in two National Championship games, Machnik became the only person to play, coach in two NCAA Finals and officiate a NCAA Final when he did so in 1988.
"Dr. Joe" attended the first US Soccer Coaching School in 1970 and became a member of the coaching staff when he completed his "A" license after attending the University of Utah for three summers completing a Ph.D.
Machnik's knowledge of hockey combined with his soccer officiating career led Walter Chyzowych to recommend Machnik for the position of Referee-in-Chief in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). When Major League Soccer (MLS) beckoned Machnik to join as Vice President of Game Operations in the League's second season, it was the beginning of a fifteen year career at the MLS League Office.
Prior to that offer, "Dr. Joe" served as Commissioner of the American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA), and returned to the University of New Haven to start its first women's soccer program as a member of its Management of Sports Industries program and also started the No.1 Goalkeepers Camp which over fifty years as No.1 Soccer Camps has attracted over 100,000 campers.
Of course, Machnik also details his six year NASCAR grass roots stock car career and his eleven years at Fox Sports TV where he served as America's first soccer "Rules Analyst" during Men's and Women's World Cups, Gold Cups and other international competitions.
But the highlight of Machnik's coaching career centers on his roles as Assistant Coach for the Bronze Medal winning 1989 US Five-a-Side Team and for the US Men's 1990 World Cup team, the first such to qualify for the World Cup in forty years leading to the US hosting of the 1994 World Cup and the formation of MLS.
"From the Sandlots to the World Cup" contains more than 100 photos many of which are in color in the hardcover edition. More than 900 names are referenced over the 300+ pages detailing every bit of the INSIDE of Machnik's involvement in nearly every facet of American soccer over seven decades. From high school to ethnic club games, collegiate playing and coaching, officiating the pro indoor game and serving as administrator in three pro leagues to coaching at the international level, Machnik's unique life in the game has been recognized by his induction into nine Soccer Halls of Fame, including the National Soccer Hall of Fame!
An amazing life and a terrific read!
