Connecticut Wolves
Connecticut Wolves played USL soccer from 1993 to 2004.
The Connecticut Wolves were an American soccer club based in New Britain, Connecticut, that competed in the United Soccer Leagues from 1993 to 2004. Founded by the Onolfo Family and several investors including Tony DiCicco, the club played its inaugural match before more than 5,200 fans at Veteran's Stadium. The Wolves began in the D-3 Pro League before moving to the A-League in 1997. That same year, the club was sold to the City of New Britain after two bidding inquiries from the New London Foxwoods area and Stamford, CT. New Britain lobbied the state to buy the club for a budget not to exceed $1.9 million for debts, player contracts, company stock, and operations.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1993
- Dissolved
- 2004
- Stadium
- Veterans Stadium
- Capacity
- 5,200
- League
- United States Interregional Soccer League; USL First Division
Facts from the source article.
History
The Connecticut Wolves were founded in 1993 after the Onolfo family and investors acquired the rights for a USISL Connecticut franchise. At the time, the USISL had 19 teams across the South and Southeast. The league grew over the next five years, adding Northeast clubs including the Long Island Roughriders, NY Fever, Boston Breakers, Rochester Rhinos, Richmond Kickers, and Delaware Wizards. In 1996, the A League merged with the support of Umbro into the USL, now 116 teams strong in ProAm, D3, and A League divisions.
The Wolves’ ownership was transferred to the City of New Britain in lieu of moving to Stamford. Over ten years, the club reached the quarterfinals of USL League playoffs three times. At its peak, the Jr Wolves Academy hosted over 19 team affiliates coached by Wolves players and alumni, winning 11 state championships. In 2002, USL and A League merged with D3; the Wolves played one more year before the City of New Britain folded the team.
Notable former players include Bo Oshoniyi of Southern Connecticut State University, David Kelly (now coach at Central Connecticut State University), former Wimbledon F.C. player Carlton Fairweather, and former Moroccan international goalkeeper Chuck Martini (also known as Chuck Moussadik), who later played for at least 12 English clubs, most recently Worthing FC of the Ryman Premier League. David Williamson, a former Hong Kong international and former Motherwell, Cambridge United, league and cup winner with Bohemians of Dublin and cup winner with Hibernians of Malta, also played for the Wolves.
Arguably the three biggest non-A League victories in one season were: a defeat of the MLS New England Revolution on Alexi Lalas night on a late goal by James Proctor assisted by Tony Kasulinous; a 2-1 win over Galatasaray of Turkey on unassisted goals by Mark Nihl and Sanjay Reed; and a 3-2 U.S. Open Cup win over the MLS Tampa Bay Mutiny, where Tony Kasulinous registered a goal and an assist, Rob McEchon scored on a set piece, and Jorge Sanchez scored from Kasulinous.
More in Defunct Indoor Soccer Clubs in the United States
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced