Rhode Island Oceaneers was an American soccer team based in East Providence, Rhode Island. They competed in the American Soccer League in the 1970s.

History

The original Rhode Island Oceaneers soccer team was established in 1974. That season, they won the league title after a 16–2 regular season. U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame (1990) coach Manny Schellscheidt was named ASL Coach of the Year as the club outscored opponents 56–16.

For the 1977 season, the team was renamed the New England Oceaneers. Schellscheidt moved on to coach the New Jersey Americans, replaced by Massachusetts Hall of Famer (1999) John Bertos. After an 8–2–14 (8th of 9 teams) season, the team moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and became the Indianapolis Daredevils before folding after the 1979 season.

The original Oceaneers team played at Pierce Memorial Stadium in East Providence, Rhode Island as a member of the second version of the American Soccer League from 1974 to 1977.

Year-by-year

Coaches

• Manny Schellscheidt: 1974

• John Bertos: 1977

Honors

League Championship

• Winner (1): 1974

ASL Rookie of the Year

• 1976: John Roeslein

ASL Leading Goalkeeper

• 1975: Brad Steurer

ASL Coach of the Year

• 1974: Manny Schellscheidt

Notable players

• Mohammad Attiah

• Tony DiCicco

• Arnie Mausser

References