Sobieski signed as a Free Agent on August 20, 1985.
Jersey Retired
Sobieski's #31 was retired by the Sidekicks during the 1999 season and will not be worn by any other player.
Sobieski Through The Years
1988-89
1989-90
1990-91
Present Day
In 1964, Sobieski began his career with Pogoń Wiskitki. In 1969, he turned professional with lower division club Ursus Warszawa. In 1976, he moved to Legia Warsaw, winning the 1980 and 1981 Polish Cup. In the fall of 1981, Sobieski moved to the United States where he signed with the Pittsburgh Spirit of the Major Indoor Soccer League. On May 19, 1983, the Spirit traded Sobieski to the Cleveland Forcein exchange for Luis Alberto. On July 14, 1985, the Force released Sobieski. On August 20, 1985, he signed as a free agent with the Dallas Sidekicks. In 1987, the Sidekicks won the league championship. Sobieski retired on April 3, 1991, having played six seasons with Dallas.
Somebody Had To Be First
- Sobieski was the first Sidekicks Goalkeeper to record a win on Opening Day (1985-86)
- First Sidekicks Goalkeeper to record a Shutout (2-0 vs Los Angeles on January 23, 1987)
- Sobieski was also the first Goalkeeper to record a playoff win (Game 3 of the Eastern Division Semifinals vs Minnesota on April 16, 1986)
- First Sidekicks Goalkeeper to win a Playoff Series (vs Baltimore in Eastern Division Semifinals 1987)
- First Sidekicks Goalkeeper to record a Championship Series Victory
Honor Roll (with Dallas)
1985-86
- Honorable Mention, all-MISL
- Sidekicks/BudweiserMost Valuable Player
- Defensive Player of the Game on 9 occasions in Regular Season.
- Defensive Player of the Game once during the Playoffs.
1986-87
1987-88
1988-89
1989-90
Honor Roll (before he was a Sidekick)
- MISL Eastern Division all-Star (with Cleveland, 1984)
- Honorable Mention, all-MISL 1981-82 (with Pittsburgh)
Top 10
Sobieski finished among the Top 10 Goalkeepers in the MISL during every year of his career in Dallas, save one1.
- 1985-86 (9th, 4.42 GAA)
- Led MISL in Wins by a Goalkeeper (24, tied with Lettieri of Minnesota)
- Led MISL in Minutes played by a Goalkeeper (2469:23)
- 1986-87 (2nd, 3.45 GAA)
- 1987-88 (2nd, 3.20 GAA)
- 1988-89 (6th, 4.16 GAA)
- 1989-90 (7th, 3.77 GAA)
1-Sobieski missed the cut for "minimum time to qualify" in the 1990-91 season by 63:17 (a little over one game). His 4.60 GAA would have been good enough for 2nd place overall despite his 8-13 record.
International Incident
Just before the 1986-87 season, Sobieski's wife and children went back to Poland on vacation. The communist Polish government refused to allow them to return to the United States. After several weeks of wrangling by both Sobieski and the Sidekicks organization, the family was reunited in Dallas.
Reports at the time, and again during the All-Star Break of 1990 in the Dallas Morning News inferred that either a transfer fee was not paid by Sobie's former club, the Cleveland Force, where he moved from Pittsburgh, or that perhaps the Polish government want him to return there.
Record Book
Regular Season
Sobieski holds the following Regular Season Sidekicks Goalkeeping records: