Army West Point Athletics
Payne Inducted Into Maryland State Soccer HOF
June 01, 2017 | Men's Soccer
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point head men's soccer coach Russell Payne was recently inducted into the Maryland State Soccer Hall of Fame.
Payne, who will head into his eighth season at the helm of the Black Knights' program, had an impressive playing career prior to his coaching status.
His goalkeeping success is sometimes attributed to being at the right place at the right time. As a youth, Payne began his playing career in the Howard County area of Maryland. He had stints with the Howard Dynamo, Columbia Crew, Western Howard Wave and SC Baltimore, who were the 1994 U-19 National Champions at the club level.
During his youth career he attended Glenelg High School where he gained All-Metro, All-State and All-Region recognition, while also earning the 1992 Maryland State title.
Payne was then recruited by Sasho Cirovski to tend the nets at the University of Maryland. During his college career he was named All-ACC in 1995 and led the conference in his senior year with a 0.88 goals against average.
He started his professional career in 1997, when he signed on with the New Orleans River-Boat Gamblers. This was followed by a combination of signings and loans to DC United, Colorado Rapids, Maryland Mania, Boston Bulldogs, NY/NJ Metrostars, New England Revolution, and LA Galaxy. He then signed on with Derry City (Ireland) in 2000 where he made 47 appearances during a two-year period.
In 2002, he shifted to the German Bundesliga with the SV Elversberg. After that Payne went back to Ireland with the Shamrock Rovers where he recorded 18 appearances. His professional goalkeeping career ended in 2005.
Payne then began his coaching career in 2005 when he accepted a position as an assistant coach at his alma mater. During his four seasons there, the Terps won national championships in 2005 and 2008. Payne is the first Maryland soccer player to win an ACC tournament as a player and coach. Following this assignment, he served as an assistant to the United States U-20 National Team from 2011 to 2015.
Payne's most memorable experience includes the 1996 ACC Champion, the 2005/2008 NCAA National Championships, the 2015 U-20 World Cup and the 2016 Copa America.
He attributed his success to his parents, Wilbur and Marion, his wife Vanessa, his youth coaches Lincoln Phillips and Dave Nesbitt, and college coach, friend and mentor Sasho Cirovski.
Payne, who will head into his eighth season at the helm of the Black Knights' program, had an impressive playing career prior to his coaching status.
His goalkeeping success is sometimes attributed to being at the right place at the right time. As a youth, Payne began his playing career in the Howard County area of Maryland. He had stints with the Howard Dynamo, Columbia Crew, Western Howard Wave and SC Baltimore, who were the 1994 U-19 National Champions at the club level.
During his youth career he attended Glenelg High School where he gained All-Metro, All-State and All-Region recognition, while also earning the 1992 Maryland State title.
Payne was then recruited by Sasho Cirovski to tend the nets at the University of Maryland. During his college career he was named All-ACC in 1995 and led the conference in his senior year with a 0.88 goals against average.
He started his professional career in 1997, when he signed on with the New Orleans River-Boat Gamblers. This was followed by a combination of signings and loans to DC United, Colorado Rapids, Maryland Mania, Boston Bulldogs, NY/NJ Metrostars, New England Revolution, and LA Galaxy. He then signed on with Derry City (Ireland) in 2000 where he made 47 appearances during a two-year period.
In 2002, he shifted to the German Bundesliga with the SV Elversberg. After that Payne went back to Ireland with the Shamrock Rovers where he recorded 18 appearances. His professional goalkeeping career ended in 2005.
Payne then began his coaching career in 2005 when he accepted a position as an assistant coach at his alma mater. During his four seasons there, the Terps won national championships in 2005 and 2008. Payne is the first Maryland soccer player to win an ACC tournament as a player and coach. Following this assignment, he served as an assistant to the United States U-20 National Team from 2011 to 2015.
Payne's most memorable experience includes the 1996 ACC Champion, the 2005/2008 NCAA National Championships, the 2015 U-20 World Cup and the 2016 Copa America.
He attributed his success to his parents, Wilbur and Marion, his wife Vanessa, his youth coaches Lincoln Phillips and Dave Nesbitt, and college coach, friend and mentor Sasho Cirovski.
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