1999 USL A-League
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football league season
| competition = USL A-League
| season = 1999
| winners = Minnesota Thunder
(1st title)
| premiers = Rochester Rhinos
(2nd title)
| matches =
| league topscorer = Niall Thompson, Mark Baena
(20 goals)
| highest scoring =
| total goals =
| longest wins =
| longest unbeaten =
| longest losses =
| highest attendance =
| lowest attendance =
| average attendance =
| prevseason = 1998
| nextseason = 2000
}}
The 1999 USL A-League was an American Division II league run by the United Soccer League during the summer of 1999.
Regular season
=Eastern Conference=
==Northeast Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK
|winpoints=4|PKwinpoints=2|PKlosspoints=1|losspoints=0
|res_col_header=Q
|team1=ROC|name_ROC=Rochester Rhinos
|team2=STI|name_STI=Staten Island Vipers
|team3=LIR|name_LIR=Long Island Rough Riders
|team4=PIT|name_PIT=Pittsburgh Riverhounds
|team5=LVS|name_LVS=Lehigh Valley Steam
|team6=BOS|name_BOS=Boston Bulldogs
|team7=TOR|name_TOR=Toronto Lynx
|team8=CON|name_CON=Connecticut Wolves
|win_ROC=20|PKwin_ROC=2|PKloss_ROC=1|loss_ROC=5|gf_ROC=47|ga_ROC=20
|win_STI=17|PKwin_STI=2|PKloss_STI=1|loss_STI=8|gf_STI=53|ga_STI=31
|win_LIR=15|PKwin_LIR=3|PKloss_LIR=0|loss_LIR=10|gf_LIR=57|ga_LIR=44
|win_PIT=15|PKwin_PIT=1|PKloss_PIT=1|loss_PIT=11|gf_PIT=63|ga_PIT=43
|win_LVS=13|PKwin_LVS=2|PKloss_LVS=1|loss_LVS=12|gf_LVS=42|ga_LVS=44
|win_BOS=12|PKwin_BOS=0|PKloss_BOS=5|loss_BOS=11|gf_BOS=49|ga_BOS=36
|win_TOR=11|PKwin_TOR=1|PKloss_TOR=3|loss_TOR=13|gf_TOR=49|ga_TOR=36
|win_CON=7|PKwin_CON=0|PKloss_CON=1|loss_CON=20|gf_CON=32|ga_CON=68
|show_bonus_points=y
|adjust_points_ROC=+7
|adjust_points_STI=+9
|adjust_points_LIR=+8
|adjust_points_PIT=+9
|adjust_points_LVS=+6
|adjust_points_BOS=+8
|adjust_points_TOR=+2
|adjust_points_CON=+5
|col_Q=green2|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q|result5=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
==Atlantic Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK
|winpoints=4|PKwinpoints=2|PKlosspoints=1|losspoints=0
|res_col_header=Q
|team1=HER|name_HER=Hershey Wildcats
|team2=RIC|name_RIC=Richmond Kickers
|team3=CHA|name_CHA=Charleston Battery
|team4=ATL|name_ATL=Atlanta Silverbacks
|team5=JAC|name_JAC=Jacksonville Cyclones
|team6=HRM|name_HRM=Hampton Roads Mariners
|team7=RAL|name_RAL=Raleigh Express
|team8=MAR|name_MAR=Maryland Mania
|win_HER=15|PKwin_HER=2|PKloss_HER=1|loss_HER=10|gf_HER=54|ga_HER=33
|win_RIC=14|PKwin_RIC=3|PKloss_RIC=1|loss_RIC=10|gf_RIC=51|ga_RIC=44
|win_CHA=14|PKwin_CHA=1|PKloss_CHA=4|loss_CHA=9 |gf_CHA=43|ga_CHA=39
|win_ATL=12|PKwin_ATL=3|PKloss_ATL=2|loss_ATL=11|gf_ATL=51|ga_ATL=61
|win_JAC=12|PKwin_JAC=1|PKloss_JAC=1|loss_JAC=14|gf_JAC=51|ga_JAC=61
|win_HRM=10|PKwin_HRM=5|PKloss_HRM=2|loss_HRM=11|gf_HRM=45|ga_HRM=41
|win_RAL=9|PKwin_RAL=2|PKloss_RAL=2|loss_RAL=15|gf_RAL=32|ga_RAL=50
|win_MAR=2|PKwin_MAR=1|PKloss_MAR=1|loss_MAR=24|gf_MAR=16|ga_MAR=85
|show_bonus_points=y
|adjust_points_HER=+10
|adjust_points_RIC=+6
|adjust_points_CHA=+6
|adjust_points_ATL=+6
|adjust_points_JAC=+9
|adjust_points_HRM=+5
|adjust_points_RAL=+5
|adjust_points_MAR=+2
|col_Q=green2|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
=Western Conference=
==Central Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK
|winpoints=4|PKwinpoints=2|PKlosspoints=1|losspoints=0
|res_col_header=Q
|team1=MIN|name_MIN=Minnesota Thunder
|team2=MLS|name_MLS=MLS Project 40
|team3=NOL|name_NOL=New Orleans Storm
|team4=IND|name_IND=Indiana Blast
|team5=MIL|name_MIL=Milwaukee Rampage
|team6=TEN|name_TEN=Tennessee Rhythm
|team7=CIN|name_CIN=Cincinnati Riverhawks
|win_MIN=18|PKwin_MIN=4|PKloss_MIN=4|loss_MIN=2|gf_MIN=57|ga_MIN=17
|win_MLS=15|PKwin_MLS=2|PKloss_MLS=0|loss_MLS=11|gf_MLS=44|ga_MLS=46
|win_NOL=14|PKwin_NOL=0|PKloss_NOL=0|loss_NOL=14|gf_NOL=56|ga_NOL=61
|win_IND=11|PKwin_IND=2|PKloss_IND=2|loss_IND=13|gf_IND=43|ga_IND=51
|win_MIL=11|PKwin_MIL=2|PKloss_MIL=1|loss_MIL=14|gf_MIL=44|ga_MIL=49
|win_TEN=9|PKwin_TEN=2|PKloss_TEN=3|loss_TEN=14|gf_TEN=44|ga_TEN=52
|win_CIN=5|PKwin_CIN=2|PKloss_CIN=3|loss_CIN=18|gf_CIN=45|ga_CIN=71
|show_bonus_points=y
|adjust_points_MIN=+6
|adjust_points_MLS=+4
|adjust_points_NOL=+11
|adjust_points_IND=+5
|adjust_points_MIL=+5
|adjust_points_TEN=+6
|adjust_points_CIN=+7
|col_Q=green2|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
==Pacific Division==
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK
|winpoints=4|PKwinpoints=2|PKlosspoints=1|losspoints=0
|res_col_header=Q
|team1=SDF|name_SDF=San Diego Flash
|team2=VAN|name_VAN=Vancouver 86ers
|team3=SEA|name_SEA=Seattle Sounders
|team4=OCZ|name_OCZ=Orange County Zodiac
|team5=ELP|name_ELP=El Paso Patriots
|team6=SFB|name_SFB=San Francisco Bay Seals
|team7=SAC|name_SAC=Sacramento Geckos
|win_SDF=18|PKwin_SDF=2|PKloss_SDF=3|loss_SDF=5|gf_SDF=65|ga_SDF=30
|win_VAN=17|PKwin_VAN=2|PKloss_VAN=2|loss_VAN=7|gf_VAN=77|ga_VAN=31
|win_SEA=16|PKwin_SEA=3|PKloss_SEA=1|loss_SEA=8|gf_SEA=56|ga_SEA=36
|win_OCZ=13|PKwin_OCZ=4|PKloss_OCZ=3|loss_OCZ=8|gf_OCZ=59|ga_OCZ=49
|win_ELP=12|PKwin_ELP=0|PKloss_ELP=2|loss_ELP=14|gf_ELP=49|ga_ELP=59
|win_SFB=7|PKwin_SFB=2|PKloss_SFB=4|loss_SFB=15|gf_SFB=37|ga_SFB=54
|win_SAC=0|PKwin_SAC=0|PKloss_SAC=1|loss_SAC=27|gf_SAC=16|ga_SAC=91
|show_bonus_points=y
|adjust_points_SDF=+11
|adjust_points_VAN=+10
|adjust_points_SEA=+10
|adjust_points_OCZ=+10
|adjust_points_ELP=+6
|adjust_points_SFB=+4
|adjust_points_SAC=+0
|col_Q=green2|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q|result5=Q
|update=complete|source=
}}
Conference Quarterfinals
=Eastern Conference=
{{football box|
date = September 10, 1999 |
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Carlos Zavala {{Goal|70}}
Mauro Biello {{Goal|72}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|89}} Ian Checcio |
score = 2–1 |
report = |
team2 = Lehigh Valley Steam (PA) |
stadium = Frontier Field, Rochester, New York |
attendance = 8,437|
referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 11, 1999 |
team1 = Staten Island Vipers (NY) |
goals1 = Ernest Inneh {{Goal|27||57}}
Martin Dugas {{golden goal|97}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|30||80}} Gary Glasgow |
score = 3–2 (OT) |
report = |
team2 = Richmond Kickers (VA) |
stadium = Mitchel Field, Uniondale, New York |
attendance = 1,452 |
referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 11, 1999 |
team1 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY) |
goals1 = Cordt Weinstein {{Goal|52}}
Darko Kolic {{Goal|68}}
John Wolyniec {{Goal|87}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|35}} Goran Vasic
{{Goal|40}} Justin Evans
{{Goal|75}} Joenal Castma
{{Goal|77}} Allen Eller |
score = 3–4 |
report = |
team2 = Pittsburgh Riverhounds (PA) |
stadium = Mitchel Field, Uniondale, New York |
attendance = 1,452 |
referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 11, 1999 |
team1 = Hershey Wildcats (PA) |
goals1 = Gino DiFlorio {{Goal|54}}
Greg Simmonds {{Goal|70}}
Chris Penny {{sent off|0|73}}
John Smith {{Goal|90}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|58||88}} Dean Sewell
{{sent off|0|73}} Mike Burke
{{sent off|0|73}} Paul Conway |
score = 3–2 |
report = |
team2 = Charleston Battery (SC) |
stadium =Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, Pennsylvania |
attendance = 2,299 |
referee = }}
=Western Conference=
{{football box|
date = September 10, 1999 |
team1 = San Diego Flash (CA) |
goals1 = Kevin Legg {{Goal|26||70}}
{{Goal|90|pen.}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|9}} Victor Castro |
score = 3–1 |
report = |
team2 = El Paso Patriots (TX) |
stadium = Douglas Stadium, San Diego, California|
attendance = 2,984 |
referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 10, 1999 |
team1 = Vancouver 86ers (BC) |
goals1 = Chris Dailly {{Goal|85}}|
goals2 = {{Goal|39}} Alen Kozić
{{Goal|69||84}} Kirk Wilson
{{sent off|0|70}} Jason Moore |
score = 1–3 |
report = |
team2 = MLS Project 40 |
stadium =Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia |
attendance = 5,050 |
referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 11, 1999 |
team1 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
goals1 = Craig Gaunt {{Goal|33|o.g.}}
Stoian Mladenov {{Goal|65}}
Gerard Lagos {{Goal|78||84}} |
goals2 = |
score = 4–0 |
report = |
team2 = New Orleans Storm (LA)|
stadium = National Sports Center, Blaine, Minnesota |
attendance = 1,560 |
referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 11, 1999 |
team1 = Seattle Sounders (WA) |
goals1 = Sean Henderson {{Goal|17||44|pen.}}
Mark Baena {{Goal|26}}
Jose Vasquez {{Goal|38|o.g.}}
Kieran Barton {{yel|59}}
Ian Russell {{Goal|64||87}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|5}} Jason Boyce
{{yel|9}} P.J. Polowski
{{yel|42}} Mark Foster
{{sent off|0|52}} Shawn Saunders
{{Goal|62}} Jose Vasquez
{{yel|68}} Jason Boyce
{{yel|71}} Martín Vásquez
{{Goal|73}} Gustavo Leal
{{sent off|0|83}} Peter Lak |
score = 6–3 |
report = http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/99/september11.html |
team2 = Orange County Zodiac (CA) |
stadium = Renton Memorial Stadium, Renton, Washington|
attendance = 2,984 |
referee = David Bragg (USA) }}
Conference semifinals
=Eastern Conference Semifinal 1=
{{football box|
date = September 16, 1999 |
team1 = Hershey Wildcats (PA) |
goals1 = Jamel Mitchell {{Goal|65}}
Matthew Ford {{Goal|84}} |
goals2 = |
score = 2–0 |
report = |
team2 = Staten Island Vipers (NY) |
stadium =Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, Pennsylvania | attendance =
| referee = Rob Sheker }}
{{football box|
date = September 18, 1999 |
team1 = Staten Island Vipers (NY) |
goals1 = |
goals2 = {{Goal|37||84}} Jamel Mitchell
{{sent off|0|67}} Kyle Swords |
score = 0–2 |
report = |
team2 = Hershey Wildcats (PA) |
stadium = Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| attendance = 1,085
| referee = }}
The Hershey Wildcats advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.
=Eastern Conference Semifinal 2=
{{football box|
date = September 18, 1999 |
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Doug Miller {{Goal|1:30||10:50}}
Darren Tilley {{Goal|8:30||71:04}}
Yari Allnutt {{Goal|18:00}}
Mauro Biello {{Goal|50:00}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|38:10}} Justin Evans
{{Goal|87:00}} Goran Vasic |
score = 6–2 |
report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/136550875/?terms=Rhinos |
team2 = Pittsburgh Riverhounds (PA) |
stadium = Frontier Field, Rochester, New York |
attendance = 9,127 |
referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 25, 1999
7:35 PM EST |
team1 = Pittsburgh Riverhounds (PA) |
goals1 = Mike Apple {{Goal|65}} |
goals2 = |
score = 1–0 |
report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/136560924/?terms=Rhinos |
team2 = Rochester Rhinos (NY)|
stadium = Bethel Park High School, Bethel, Pennsylvania |
attendance = 4,115 |
referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 28, 1999 |
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Doug Miller {{Goal|35}}
Tim Hardy {{yel|43}}
Nate Daligcon {{Goal|49}}
Mali Walton {{yel|52}} |
goals2 = {{yel|29}} Gary DePalma
{{sent off|2|44|64}} Tenywa Bonseu |
score = 2–0 |
report =https://www.newspapers.com/image/136563379/?terms=Rhinos Report |
team2 = Pittsburgh Riverhounds (PA) |
stadium = Frontier Field, Rochester, New York |
attendance = 6,541 |
referee = }}
The Rochester Rhinos advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.
=Western Conference Semifinal 1=
{{football box|
date = September 18, 1999 |
team1 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
goals1 = Paul Schneider {{golden goal|105}} |
goals2 = |
score = 1–0 (OT) |
report = |
team2 = MLS Project 40 |
stadium = National Sports Center Blaine, Minnesota
| attendance = 1,578
| referee = }}
{{football box|
date = September 20, 1999 |
team1 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
goals1 = Gerard Lagos {{Goal|28}}
Stoian Mladenov {{Goal|42}} |
goals2 = {{sent off|0|89}} Judah Cooks |
score = 2–0 |
report = |
team2 = MLS Project 40 |
stadium = National Sports Center Blaine, Minnesota
| attendance = 946
| referee = }}
The Minnesota Thunder advanced to the Western Conference final.
=Western Conference Semifinal 2=
{{football box|
date = September 18, 1999 |
team1 = San Diego Flash (CA) |
goals1 = Chugger Adair {{Goal|3}}
Antonio Robles {{yel|23}}
Carlos Farias {{Goal|34||53||60||84|pen.}}
Mauricio Alegre {{Goal|87}} |
goals2 = {{sent off|0|23}} Ollie Heald |
score = 6–0 |
report = http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/99/september18.html |
team2 = Seattle Sounders (WA) |
stadium = Merrill Douglas Stadium San Diego, California
| attendance = 2,116
| referee = Kari Seitz}}
{{football box|
date = September 25, 1999 |
team1 = Seattle Sounders (WA) |
goals1 = Jason Annicchero {{sent off|0|82}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|11}} Jerome Watson |
score = 0–1 |
report = http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/99/september25.html |
team2 = San Diego Flash (CA) |
stadium = Renton Memorial Stadium Seattle, Washington
| attendance = 4,426
| referee = Kevin Stott }}
The San Diego Flash advanced to the Western Conference final.
Conference finals
=Eastern Conference=
{{football box|
date = October 3, 1999
7:35 PM EST |
team1 = Hershey Wildcats (PA) |
goals1 = Greg Simmonds {{Goal|15}}
Jamel Mitchell {{Goal|79}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|}} Doug Miller |
score = 2–1 |
report = |
team2 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
stadium = Hersheypark Stadium Hershey, Pennsylvania
| attendance = 6,541
| referee = }}
{{football box|
date = October 9, 1999
7:35 PM EST|
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Doug Miller {{Goal|80}} |
goals2 = |
score = 1–0 |
report = |
team2 = Hershey Wildcats (PA) |
stadium = Frontier Field Rochester, New York
| attendance = 9,024
| referee = }}
{{football box|
date = October 11, 1999
7:35 PM EST|
team1 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
goals1 = Mauro Biello {{Goal|20}}
Doug Miller {{Goal|81|pen.}}
Yari Allnutt {{Goal|85}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|78}} Tim Leonard |
score = 3–1 |
report = |
team2 = Hershey Wildcats (PA) |
stadium = Frontier Field Rochester, New York
| attendance = 7,753
| referee = }}
The Rochester Rhinos advanced to the final.
=Western Conference=
{{football box|
date = October 2, 1999
7:35 PM |
team1 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
goals1 = Paweł Nowak {{Goal|10}}
Stoian Mladenov {{Goal|58|pen.}}
Amos Magee {{Goal|63||88}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|29}} Jamie Munro |
score = 4–1 |
report = |
team2 = San Diego Flash (CA) |
stadium = National Sports Center Blaine, Minnesota
| attendance = 2,072
| referee = }}
{{football box|
date = October 7, 1999
7:35 PM PST |
team1 = San Diego Flash (CA) |
goals1 = Nate Hetherington {{Goal|83}} |
goals2 = {{sent off|2|7|14}} Morgan Zeba
{{Goal|27}} Amos Magee
{{Goal|80|pen.}} Kalin Bankov |
score = 1–2 |
report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/194590168/?terms=San%2BDiego%2BFlash |
team2 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
stadium = San Diego Mesa College San Diego, California
| attendance = 2,983
| referee = }}
The Minnesota Thunder advanced to the final.
Final
{{football box|
date = October 16, 1999
7:05 PM |
team1 = Minnesota Thunder (MN) |
goals1 = Gerard Lagos {{Goal|43}}
Paweł Nowak {{Goal|47}} |
goals2 = {{Goal|57}} Darren Tilley |
score = 2–1 |
report = |
team2 = Rochester Rhinos (NY) |
stadium = National Sports Center Blaine, Minnesota
| attendance = 9,987
| referee = }}
MVP: Amos Magee, Minnesota Thunder
Points leaders
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Scorer !Club !Goals !Assists !Points |
|---|
| align=center|1
|align=center|20 |align=center|7 |align=center|47 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|2
|align=center|20 |align=center|6 |align=center|46 |
| Eduardo Sebrango
|align=center|18 |align=center|10 |align=center|46 |
| align=center|4
|align=center|17 |align=center|9 |align=center|43 |
| align=center|5
|align=center|19 |align=center|4 |align=center|42 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|6
|align=center|15 |align=center|9 |align=center|39 |
| Ernest Inneh
|align=center|18 |align=center|3 |align=center|39 |
| align=center|8
|align=center|16 |align=center|6 |align=center|38 |
| rowspan=3 align=center|9
|align=center|15 |align=center|7 |align=center|37 |
| John Wolyniec
|align=center|15 |align=center|7 |align=center|37 |
| John Sulentic
|align=center|9 |align=center|19 |align=center|37 |
| rowspan=2 align=center|12
|align=center|15 |align=center|6 |align=center|36 |
| Ian Russell
|align=center|14 |align=center|8 |align=center|36 |
| align=center|14
|align=center|14 |align=center|7 |align=center|35 |
| align=center|15
|align=center|16 |align=center|2 |align=center|34 |
| align=center|16
|align=center|14 |align=center|5 |align=center|33 |
| align=center|17
|align=center|10 |align=center|12 |align=center|32 |
| rowspan=3 align=center|18
|align=center|13 |align=center|4 |align=center|30 |
| Gustavo Leal
|align=center|13 |align=center|4 |align=center|30 |
| Mugurel Dumitru
|align=center|9 |align=center|12 |align=center|30 |
Honors
- MVP: John Swallen
- Leading goal scorer: Niall Thompson
- Leading goalkeeper: John Swallen
- Defender of the Year: Scott Schweitzer
- Rookie of the Year: Greg Simmonds
- Coach of the Year: Paul Riley
- Referee of the Year: Glenn Prechac
- First Team All League
- Goalkeeper: John Swallen
- Defenders: Craig Demmin, Scott Schweitzer, Tenywa Bonseu, Kalin Bankov
- Midfielders: Carlos Farias, Mauro Biello, Mac Cozier
- Forwards: Mark Baena, Ernest Inneh, Niall Thompson
- Second Team All League[http://www.charlestonbattery.com/stats_awards.asp?year=1999 1999 League Awards] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231927/http://www.charlestonbattery.com/stats_awards.asp?year=1999 |date=March 19, 2012 }}
- Goalkeeper: Pat Onstad
- Defenders: Jose Vasquez, John Coughlin, Gilbert Jean-Baptiste
- Midfielders: Ian Russell, John Sulentic, Marvin Oliver
- Forwards: Jamel Mitchell, Paul Conway, Darko Kolic, Onandi Lowe
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170103154755/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1999.html#aleague The Year in American Soccer - 1999]
- [https://www.rsssf.org/usadave/usisl.html United Soccer Leagues (RSSSF)]
{{USL seasons defunct}}
{{USSF D2 soccer seasons}}
{{Canada D2 soccer seasons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:A-League 1999}}