Andrew Parkinson (soccer): Difference between revisions

In 1980, Parkinson then moved to the [[United States]] where he signed with the [[Philadelphia Fury (1978–80)|Philadelphia Fury]] of the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] (NASL). Once again, he played a single season before the Fury was relocated to Montreal becoming the [[Montreal Manic]]. Parkinson had a successful two seasons with the Montreal Manic scoring the first two goals for the new franchise in the first game of the season winning 2 - 1 against the Toronto Blizzard and leading them to the playoffs and was one of the leading goal scorers once again. During this time, Parkinson received his U.S. citizenship. In 1983, the [[U.S. Soccer Federation]], in coordination with the NASL, entered the [[United States men's national soccer team|U.S. national team]], known as [[Team America (soccer)|Team America]], into the NASL as a league franchise. The team drew on U.S. citizens playing in the NASL, [[Major Soccer League|Major Indoor Soccer League]] and [[American Soccer League (1988-1989)|American Soccer League]]. Parkinson turned down a new contract offer from the Montreal Manic for the 1983 season becoming a free agent and signing for the Ft Lauderdale Strikers instead, playing in the opening seasons first two indoor matches for [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–83)|Fort Lauderdale]] in the [[1983 NASL Grand Prix of Indoor Soccer|1983 indoor NASL]] before being recruited and signing with Team America. When Team America finished the 1983 season in the struggling NASL the team disbanded with Parkinson being the leading goal scorer with 12 goals. The [[New York Cosmos (1971–1985)|New York Cosmos]] acquired Parkinson from Team America when Team America disbanded and he played for the New York Cosmos during the 1983–84 NASL indoor season and the 1984 outdoor season. At the end of the season, the NASL collapsed and the Cosmos jumped to the [[Major Soccer League|Major Indoor Soccer League]]. He began the indoor MISL season with the Cosmos then moved to the [[Chicago Sting]] in March 1985.<ref>''Not all of MISL teams stood pat'' San Diego Union, The (CA) - Tuesday, March 12, 1985</ref> In the fall of 1985, Parkinson signed with the [[Tacoma Stars (MISL)|Tacoma Stars]] indoor of the MISL during the 1985-1986 season. AndyAndrew Parkinson retired from the beautiful game in 1986 and had a very successful 37 year career as a General Manager with Porsche in the Automobile business.