Cho Young-jeung

Cho was allowed to participate in tryouts for North American Soccer League (NASL) clubs by the Korea Football Association when the national team left for Los Angeles to train in February 1981. He joined Portland Timbers after having offers from four clubs. He played both football and indoor soccer for Portland Timbers, becoming the first Asian to play indoor soccer. In 1982, he made the cover of Kick, the official magazine of the NASL, and was selected for the first team of the NASL all-stars. He returned to his country after the K League was founded in 1983. Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso was a newly-formed weak team in the K League when Cho joined it in 1984, and so he played as a forward or midfielder in unfamiliar positions if necessary. However, he scored nine goals in the 1984 season, and was selected as the Exemplary Award winner and one of the K League Best XI. He also scored in six consecutive games, becoming a record holder until Hwang Sun-hong broke the record in 1995.

Cho was considered as one of the best centre-backs in South Korea and the United States during the 1980s. He didn't have rapid pace and great stamina, but he was noted for his prediction, positional sense and team play. He also had a burly physique and so was skilled in tussle and tackle.

Club

International

Results list South Korea's goal tally first.

Player

ROK Navy

Korean National Semipro League (Spring): 1978 Korean President's Cup: 1979 Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso

K League 1: 1985 South Korea U20

AFC Youth Championship third place: 1973, 1974 South Korea

Asian Games: 1978, 1986 AFC Asian Cup runner-up: 1980 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1987 Individual

Korean FA Best XI: 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1986 Korean FA Most Valuable Player: 1977 NASL All-Star First Team: 1982; Second Team: 1983 K League 1 Best XI: 1984, 1986

Manager

LG Cheetahs

Korean League Cup runner-up: 1994