| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Kelly | ||
| Place of birth | Springfield, MA, USA | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1996 | Club Academica | ||
| 1997 | NH Phantoms | ||
| 1998 | Worcester Wildfire - New England Revolution | ||
| 1999-2002 | Western Mass Pioneers | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Paul Kelly (born May 1, 1974 in Springfield, MA) is a former American professional soccer player. Paul attended the University of Maine at Orono from 1992-1996. While at Maine he garnered several honors, including: Regional All-American - '94 & '95; All North Atlantic Conference - '92, '94, '95; All State, '92-'96; NAC Tournament Best 11 - '94; Cleveland State All Tournament Team '94. Prior to the '95 season Paul participated in the 1995 US Olympic Festival held in San Antonio, TX.
Immediately after college Paul played with the Carolina Dynamo of the USL. After a brief stint with Carolina he returned to Massachusetts to play for renowned LASA league team, Academica de Fall River. That summer Academica won both the LASA league title and the SuperCup title. Paul scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Dynamo Brava in the SuperCup final.
In 1997, Paul spent 2 weeks training with the New England Revolution of MLS then moved to the USL to play for the NH Phantoms. The team advanced to the 1997 National Final Four in Albuquerque, NM. The Phantoms fell in overtime to the Albuquerque Geckos in the National Semi-Final match. In 1998 Paul signed a contract with the A-League's Worcester Wildfire. Under the guidance of player coach John Kerr Jr., Paul had a successful season at left fullback and was invited to finish out the season with the New England Revolution.
In 1999, Paul returned home to Western MA serving as captain of the newly formed Western Mass Pioneers of the USL. The team captured the 1999 USL National Championship. Paul and Rob Jachym were named USL 1st Team All Stars and invited to attend the 2000 MLS combine in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Paul returned to Western Mass for the 2002 season. This year the team lost in the Northeast Conference title game to the CT Wolves despite winning the 2 match aggregate 4-3.