Thomas Dooley

The German-born defender who captained the U.S. through the 1998 World Cup.

Thomas Dennis Dooley (born May 12, 1961) is a professional soccer coach and former player who played as a defender and defensive midfielder. Born in Germany, he is a former captain of the United States national team. He played every minute at the 1994 World Cup, including the match against Colombia which the U.S. won 2–1. After John Harkes was dismissed from the U.S. national team, Dooley was named captain for the 1998 World Cup, and started every game for the U.S. He ended his international career with 81 caps and eight goals.

Quick Facts

Full name: Thomas Dennis Dooley
Born: 12 May 1961
Birthplace: Bechhofen, West Germany
Position: Defensive midfielder
Total caps: 433
Total goals: 64

Lore & Background

Dooley's path to the U.S. national team began when U.S. Soccer started to look abroad for players eligible to play for its national team in advance of its hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He made his first international appearance on May 30, 1992, against Ireland. Dooley became a regular for the U.S. almost immediately, being named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1993. At the 1994 World Cup, he played every minute, including the 2–1 win over Colombia. After John Harkes was dismissed from the U.S. national team, Dooley was named captain for the 1998 World Cup, and started every game for the U.S. On February 21, 1999, Dooley was given a send-off match by the United States in a friendly against Chile. He ended his international career with 81 caps and eight goals.

Reader's Guide

For fans looking to understand Dooley's impact on the U.S. national team, the key numbers are 1993, 1994, and 1998. In 1993, he was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, a sign that he had become the backbone of the defense. In 1994, he played every single minute of the World Cup on home soil, including the historic 2–1 win over Colombia. In 1998, he was named captain after John Harkes was dismissed, and started every game of that World Cup.

His international career ended with 81 caps and seven goals, with a send-off match against Chile on February 21, 1999. Dooley's career also included a move to Major League Soccer (MLS), signing with the Columbus Crew. He spent three seasons in Columbus and was named to the MLS Best XI in both 1997 and 1998. In 2000, Thomas was traded to the MetroStars for Mike Duhaney, partially to help support Lothar Matthäus' adjustment to the United States. Dooley played one year for the Metros before retiring from playing.