Croatian footballer (born 1960)
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
^ 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 .
^ "Drago Dumbović - Povijest Dinama" . povijest.gnkdinamo.hr . Retrieved 2020-08-07 .
^ a b "MISL-Drago Dumbovic" . www.nasljerseys.com . Retrieved 2020-08-07 .
^ "New Player" . Newspapers.com . The Evening Sun. January 19, 1987. p. 1. Retrieved 2020-08-08 .
^ Free, Bill (April 16, 1989). "Drago, Chinapoo to give Bays familiar look" . Newspapers.com . The Baltimore Sun. p. 101. Retrieved 2020-08-07 .
^ Sernoffsky, Dan (January 21, 1990). "Blockbuster trade offsets Impact's slow start". The Daily News . p. 25.
^ VanOlinda, Dick (November 1, 1990). "Lilley takes on new role with Impact". The York Dispatch . p. 16.
^ McDonald, Ken (November 13, 1992). "A Rocker by any other name.". Detroit Free Press . p. 35.
^ "Local Roundup - Wheels" . Newspapers.com . The Windsor Star. June 29, 1991. p. 23. Retrieved 2020-08-07 .
^ Roose, Bill L. (September 2, 1995). "Drago dealt; will he return as a future consideration?". Detroit Free Press . p. 14.
^ a b "Soccer - National Professional Soccer League". El Paso Times . March 15, 1999. p. 24.
^ "NPSL team by team capsules". The Baltimore Sun . October 22, 1999. p. 166.
^ "Saginaw Valley State" . Saginaw Valley State . Retrieved 2020-08-07 .
^ "Staff" . Cleveland United Soccer . Retrieved 2020-08-08 .