Dec. 10, 1979 – New England Tea Men select Peter Simonini in 1st round of NASL draft

Peter Simonini became a starter in his first season with the Tea Men, who moved to Jacksonville from 1981-83. Simonini helped the Tea Men win the ASL title and was named league MVP in 1983.

Simonini became the Revolution’s goalkeeper coach (before it was a full-time position) and had a successful coaching career at Bentley College from 1987-2007.

A goalkeeper and quarterback at Billerica High School, Simonini set a record with 42 shutouts at Plymouth State College. Simonini was the third player picked after the New York Cosmos took forward Don Ebert (SIU-Edwardsville) and the Minnesota Kicks selected defender Darryl Gee (Oakland Hills High School).

Vermont goalkeeper Bart Farley was drafted by the Detroit Express as No. 10 choice, Dartmouth’s Paul Mott by the Tampa Bay Rowdies as No. 17 choice. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY