March 15, 2006

College Park, Md. - Former Terrapin men's soccer standout Leo Cullen has been named an assistant coach for women's soccer at the University of Maryland, head coach Brian Pensky announced today. Cullen, who was the 1997 ACC Player of the Year and the first overall selection in the 1998 MLS College Draft, returns to his alma mater after spending seven of the last eight seasons playing professionally in the MLS.

"We are ecstatic about Leo joining our staff," said Pensky. "He brings a wealth of soccer experience to this program. Whether it's his national team experience, collegiate experience, or MLS experience, Leo is someone who will help tremendously in recruiting and player development.

"Leo also understands what it means to be a student-athlete at Maryland. He has an appreciation of the balance necessary to succeed athletically and academically at an institution like ours."

Cullen comes to Maryland after playing for the MLS's Colorado Rapids in 2005 after taking 2004 off to return to Maryland to finish his degree in economics. He played a total of 179 games in his six-year Major League Soccer career with the Miami Fusion (1998-2001), the New England Revolution (2001-03) and the Colorado Rapids (2005). In 1999 he was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a center back for the Fusion.

Cullen also brings with him international experience as he earned two caps with the U.S. National Team and captained the U.S. Under-20 National Team and the Under-18 National Team. He earned his first cap with the U.S. National Team on Feb. 21, 1999 vs. Chile. He also appeared for the USA in its 2-0 win over El Salvador on Feb. 17, 2002.

As a Terp, Cullen earned first team All-ACC honors each of his final three seasons in College Park and became the first Terp under coach Sasho Cirovski to earn first team All-America honors in 1997. He is one of three Terps to be named ACC Player of the Year, along with Nick Skirka in 1970 and Jason Garey in 2005. He helped lead Maryland to its first ever ACC Tournament Championship in 1996, and the Terps advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons.

Cullen, who spent the 2004-05 season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Maryland men's soccer team, married the former Betsy Lee in July of 2005.