By Mike Woitalla
Executive Editor, Soccer America Magazine
World Cup veteran's double-duty at Cal Poly Pomona makes for busy 'retirement'
It's been 15 years since the United States broke out of the soccer hinterlands and qualified for the World Cup in Italy, making its first appearance at the finals in 40 years.
Three members of the 22-man U.S. squad are still playing pro ball. Of the others, all but two derive their livelihood through soccer.
Paul Caligiuri, the man whose 30-yard shot against Trinidad & Tobago qualified the Americans for Italia '90, has coached the men's and women's teams at NCAA Division II Cal Poly Pomona since retiring from MLS after the 2001 season.
''I had considered other opportunities,'' says Caligiuri, who was the first American to land a major European contract when he signed with Germany's Hamburg SV in 1987, ''but the timing at Cal Poly Pomona was perfect, and I wanted to be on the field everyday.''
In fact, Caligiuri now spends even more time on the field than when he was a player.
''In the preseason, I get to the office at 7 a.m. and leave at 8 p.m.,'' he says. ''We have two two-hour practices with each team.''
That's eight hours of training, plus the administrative duties.
''A lot of preparation,'' he says. ''A lot of organization. A grip of paperwork.''
Says men's assistant coach Emanuel Martin, ''Paul's off-field organizational skills are tremendous. His scouting techniques are at a different level. Our off-field time with players goes beyond office hours. And one reason I was attracted to Cal Poly was the community involvement.''
Cal Poly's players work with underprivileged children and are involved in programs with local schools and hospitals.
On the field, Caligiuri aims to maintain the tradition of the women's success – perennial conference playoff qualifiers – and improve the men's team, whose regional competition includes Sonoma State, Seattle, Seattle Pacific, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Bakersfield – all national title winners.
''We're very encouraged about direction of our soccer programs,'' says athletic director Brian Swanson.
Swanson is also pleased with the soccer team's off-the-field performance. Last year's women's team tallied a cumulative 3.10 GPA, the men's team, 2.91 – compared with the overall student body's 2.69.
Martin says Caligiuri's vast international experience – besides his trailblazing European career and World Cup experience, he earned 110 U.S. caps, played in two Copa Americas and the Olympics – is evident in his coaching.
''His vision of the game is more diverse than the traditional American coach,'' Martin says. ''He believes in the need for structure but encourages individual technique, creativity and improvisation. He understands the value of what I call soccer with flavor.''
Says Swanson of having such a high-profile coach, ''Paul is not only an ambassador for our soccer program, he's an ambassador for our university.''
U.S. World Cup 1990 squad 15 Years Later
Desmond Armstrong (youth coach, Bethesda Roadrunners, Md.)
Marcelo Balboa (TV soccer commentator; Colorado Rapids exec.)
Jimmy Banks (head coach, Milwaukee School of Engineering)
Brian Bliss (asst. coach, Kansas City Wizards)
Paul Caligiuri (head coach, Cal Poly Pomona)
Neil Covone (lawyer, Fla.)
John Doyle (asst. coach, San Jose Earthquakes)
Eric Eichmann (youth coach, Boca United, Fla.)
Kasey Keller (goalie, Borussia Moenchengladbach)
Paul Krumpe (head coach, Loyola Marymount)
John Harkes (youth development director, D.C. United)
Chris Henderson (midfielder, Columbus Crew)
Tony Meola (goalie, MetroStars)
Bruce Murray (youth coach, Boston Bolts)
Tab Ramos (indoor soccer facility owner, N.J.)
John Stollmeyer (financial firm VP, Ind.)
Christopher Sullivan (personal soccer trainer, Calif.)
Steve Trittschuh (asst. coach, Colorado Rapids)
David Vanole (asst. coach, New England Revolution)
Peter Vermes (pres. Blue Valley Soccer Assoc., Kan.)
Michael Windischmann (phys. ed teacher; youth coach, N.Y)
Eric Wynalda (TV soccer commentator)
(This article originally appeared in the August 22, 2005 issue of Soccer America Magazine.)