Pat Fidelia (born April 16, 1959) is a former soccer forward who spent four seasons in the North American Soccer League, two in the American Soccer League and one in the United Soccer League. Born in Haiti, he earned one cap playing for the United States national team.
Early life Fidelia was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and moved to the United States as a child, settling in Mount Holly, New Jersey and graduating in 1976 from Rancocas Valley Regional High School.Holroyd, Steve. "Before Hoppenot, there was Fidelia", The Philly Soccer Page, July 11, 2012. Accessed July 18, 2019. "Pat Fidelia was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on April 16, 1959. Moving to the United States at a young age, his family settled in Mt. Holly, New Jersey.... While attending Rancocas Valley Regional High School, Fidelia starred as a forward for the school’s soccer team, graduating in 1976 as the team’s leading scorer." He then attended Mercer County Community College.Westcott, Rich. "Pat+Fidelia+Rancocas" "Veterans Stadium: field of memories", p. 189. Temple University Press, 2005. . Accessed February 14, 2011.
Playing career
Professional The Houston Hurricane of the North American Soccer League (NASL) drafted Fidelia with the last pick (96th overall) of the 1978 Draft. It then traded him to the Philadelphia Fury.SoccerAmerica Sports Library While playing as a substitute for most of the 1978 season with the Fury, Fidelia led the team in scoring with eight goals. The Fury folded at the end of the 1980 season and Fidelia moved to the Montreal Manic for the 1981 season.REMEMBERING THE "PSEUDO-ATOMS"--THE PHILADELPHIA FURY, 1978-1980 In 1979, he signed with the Cleveland Force of the Major Indoor Soccer League, playing 29 games for the team during the 1979–1980 season. In 1982, Fidelia left the NASL for the Carolina Lightnin' of the American Soccer League. He scored eight goals that season. The ASL folded following the 1983 season and the Lightnin' jumped to the United Soccer League, changing its name to the Charlotte Gold. The Gold lasted only the 1984 season before folding. Fidelia retired from playing professionally.
National team Fidelia earned his one cap with the national team in a 3–1 win over Bermuda on October 7, 1979, when he came on for Greg Villa.USA – Details of International Matches 1885–1969
Amateur Fidelia continued to play for amateur teams in the Charlotte Amateur Soccer League. In the late 1980s he played for Fish Fare and was with Pepsi in 1990.
Coaching career After retiring from playing, Fidelia coached high school soccer at Charlotte Christian. In April 1989, he resigned, but was hired by Christ School in Arden, NC and then coached at Carolina Day School in Asheville, NC. He currently coaches youth soccer at Charlotte Rise FC, serving across the Charlotte metro and surrounding areas.
References
External links NASL/MISL stats