Background
DiOrio grew up in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and graduated from South Fayette Township High School in 1939.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Nicholas DiOrio
Edit ProfileCareer
During high school, he was best known as an outstanding basketball player, reputedly scoring fifty points in one game. While he played basketball in school, he was an excellent soccer player for his club team, Avella Juniors. While making a living as a factory worker, DiOrio devoted his spare time to his passion, playing soccer.
In 1942, he was on the roster of Morgan Strasser when it lost the National Amateur Cup to Fall River.
However, the team took the cup in 1943 with a victory over Santa Maria South Carolina (U.S.) In 1944, Morgan Strasser went to a third straight Amateur Cup final, but lost to South Carolina (U.S.) Eintracht. In 1946, DiOrio left Morgan Strasser, for the Pittsburgh Strasser of the newly established North American Soccer Football League.
In 1947 he moved to the Chicago Vikings. After the collapse of the NAFSL, following the 1947 season, DiOrio signed with the Pittsburgh Indians in September.
In 1950, he was with Pittsburgh Harmarville when they lost the National Amateur Cup final to Ponta Delgada South Carolina (U.S.)
In 1951, DiOrio lost another Amateur Cup final, his fourth. However, Harmarville followed those two losses with a National Challenge Cup championship in 1952. At some point, he left Harmarville and signed with Pittsburgh Beadling, with whom he finished his career in 1959.
After retiring from playing in 1959, DiOrio continued to coach soccer teams.
In 1971, he became the president of the West Penn Soccer Association. He also worked for the county road maintenance department.
DiOrio was inducted, along with the rest of the 1950 United States. World Cup team, into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976. He died of colon cancer on September 11, 2003.
Achievements
-
In 1939, his club won the U-19 national championship, known as the McGuire Cup. In 1949, the club won the National Challenge Cup. During his twenty years of playing soccer, DiOrio won the National Amateur Cup, National Challenge Cup, and five Keystone Senior League championships. While DiOrio was selected to the United States. roster for the 1950 Fédération internationale de football association World Cup, he never entered a game.
Membership
He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He is also a member of state and regional halls of fame.
-
Born
-
Died
September 11, 2003 (aged 82) -
Nationality
United States