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Drago Dumbovic (born February 5, 1960) is a Croatian former footballer and a head coach. He is noted for playing indoor soccer and the adoption of the nickname Drago in 1986.[1]

Career

Dumbovic played in the Yugoslav First League in 1979 with Dinamo Zagreb.[2] Throughout his tenure with Dinamo he played in the 1979–80 UEFA Cup, 1980–81 European Cup Winners' Cup, and the 1982–83 European Cup. In 1983, he played abroad in the Major Indoor Soccer League with Pittsburgh Spirit.[3] After his stint with Pittsburgh he spent time with Wichita Wings, and Minnesota Strikers.[3] In 1985, he signed with league rivals Chicago Sting, where he began using the nickname Drago and shaved his hair.[1] After two seasons in Chicago he played with the Baltimore Blast in 1986.[4]

In 1989, he played in the American Soccer League with Maryland Bays, and with the Washington Diplomats in 1990.[5] In 1990, he played in the National Professional Soccer League with Atlanta Attack, and later with the Detroit Rockers.[6][7] During his time in Detroit he assisted in securing the NPSL Championship in the 1991–92 season.[8] In 1991, he played in Canada with Windsor Wheels in the National Soccer League.[9] After three seasons with the Rockers he played in Continental Indoor Soccer League with Detroit Neon, and a season with Pittsburgh Stingers and Sacramento Knights.[10]

In 1998, he returned to his former team the Detroit Rockers.[11]

Managerial career

Dumbovic began coaching in the National Professional Soccer League with the Detroit Rockers in the 1998-1999 season as an interim assistant coach for Bryan Finnerty.[11] The following season he was given head coach responsibilities.[12] In 2003, he was appointed the head coach for Saginaw Valley State University's women's soccer team.[13] In 2014, he was named the director for Cleveland United's girl soccer program.[14]

Honors

Detroit Rockers

References

  1. ^ a b Leptich, John (November 16, 1986). "HE'S JUST DRAGO -- AND DELIGHTED TO BE A STING". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  2. ^ "Drago Dumbović - Povijest Dinama". povijest.gnkdinamo.hr. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  3. ^ a b "MISL-Drago Dumbovic". www.nasljerseys.com. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  4. ^ "New Player". Newspapers.com. The Evening Sun. January 19, 1987. p. 1. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  5. ^ Free, Bill (April 16, 1989). "Drago, Chinapoo to give Bays familiar look". Newspapers.com. The Baltimore Sun. p. 101. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  6. ^ Sernoffsky, Dan (January 21, 1990). "Blockbuster trade offsets Impact's slow start". The Daily News. p. 25.
  7. ^ VanOlinda, Dick (November 1, 1990). "Lilley takes on new role with Impact". The York Dispatch. p. 16.
  8. ^ McDonald, Ken (November 13, 1992). "A Rocker by any other name.". Detroit Free Press. p. 35.
  9. ^ "Local Roundup - Wheels". Newspapers.com. The Windsor Star. June 29, 1991. p. 23. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  10. ^ Roose, Bill L. (September 2, 1995). "Drago dealt; will he return as a future consideration?". Detroit Free Press. p. 14.
  11. ^ a b "Soccer - National Professional Soccer League". El Paso Times. March 15, 1999. p. 24.
  12. ^ "NPSL team by team capsules". The Baltimore Sun. October 22, 1999. p. 166.
  13. ^ "Saginaw Valley State". Saginaw Valley State. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  14. ^ "Staff". Cleveland United Soccer. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
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