| Birth place | Stamford, Connecticut, United States |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Position | Defender |
| Youthyears 1 | 1975–1977 |
| Youthclubs 1 | Trumbull High School |
| Collegeyears 1 | 1978–1981 |
| College 1 | Fairfield Stags |
| Years 1 | 1978 |
| Clubs 1 | Slough Town |
| Caps 1 | 10 |
| Goals 1 | 1 |
| Years 2 | 1983 |
| Clubs 2 | Tampa Bay Rowdies |
| Caps 2 | 5 |
| Goals 2 | 0 |
| Years 3 | 1983–1984 |
| Clubs 3 | Tampa Bay Rowdies (indoor) |
| Caps 3 | 4 |
| Goals 3 | 0 |
| Years 4 | 1984 |
| Clubs 4 | Fort Lauderdale Sun |
| Caps 4 | 20 |
| Goals 4 | ? |
| Nationalyears 1 | 1983 |
| Nationalteam 1 | USA B Team |
| Nationalcaps 1 | 2 |
| Nationalgoals 1 | 0 |
Mark Longwell (born 1960 in Stamford, Connecticut) is an American retired soccer defender who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and United Soccer League.
Career
Youth and college
Longwell played high school soccer at Trumbull High School in Trumbull, Connecticut where he a two-time All-State selection. He then played college soccer for Fairfield University where he was named All New England and the Tri-State Conference MVP in his junior and senior years. Longwell played with Slough Town FC in Slough, England in 1978, trained with Liverpool F.C. in the summer of 1980, and trained with Chelsea FC in the summer of 1982.
Professional
Longwell played for Slough Town F.C. in 1978 in the English Isthmian League. After Fairfield, Longwell had multiple tryouts at the professional level. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdiesof the North American Soccer League.[1] He made his professional debut on August 5, 1983, against the Chicago Sting, in a 4–3 win. He also played for the 1983–84 Tampa Bay Rowdies Indoor team.[2] On April 3, 1984, Longwell signed with the Fort Lauderdale Sun of the newly established United Soccer League. The Sun went on to win the 1984 USL championship with Longwell as captain.[3]
International
Longwell was a member of the United States men's national soccer team B Team which toured Malaysia and Singapore in 1983.[4]
Running, cycling and hiking
After professional soccer, Longwell turned to running and triathlons.
He competed in the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run in 1996, and the 1993 Ironman Canada race in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. In 2004, he competed in the Race Across America bike race in the two man division with John Delia of Middletown, CT. In June 2018, Longwell competed in the Race Across the West, a 925 solo non stop race from Oceanside CA to Durango CO. On October 27, 2018, Longwell participated in the World 6,12 and 24 hour time trial championships in Borrego Springs, CA. On November 2, 2019, Longwell participated again in the World 6,12 and 24 hour time trial championships in Borrego Springs, CA.[citation needed]
In October 2022, Mark retired from cycling and took up hiking. So far, he has hiked extensively in the trails local to him in West Boston, while also hiking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the Mourne Way in Northern Ireland, and the Julian Alps in Slovenia.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Tampa Bay Rowdies 1983
- ^ 1983–84 Tampa Bay Rowdies Indoor team photo
- ^ *"Sun Soccer Club Signs Ex-Rowdie", The Miami Herald, Tuesday, April 3, 1984 *Tampa Bay Rowdies Appreciation Blog: Mark Longwell 1983; 1984
- ^ Mark Longwell website[dead link]