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Number of American soccer clubs documented for this season: 24 (You can see all of these clubs)
For the selected season, this site documents and maps all "top tier" American soccer clubs in the NASL (North American Soccer League). Note that we do NOT cover reserve teams.
Founded: 1978 [folded 1981] Nickname: The Surf Stadium: Anaheim Stadium Stadium Address: 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: They originally were the St. Louis Stars (ironically, the move came 17 years before the Los Angeles Rams professional (American) football team, who actually played their home games at Anaheim Stadium, moved to St. Louis). The Surf had a strong British influence under the direction of coach John Sewell including future Arsenal manager, George Graham.
Caribous of Colorado
Founded: 1978 [folded 1978] Nickname: The Caribous Stadium: Mile High Stadium Stadium Address: 2755 West 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80204 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Caribous of Colorado was a professional soccer team based in Denver, Colorado, that played in the North American Soccer League. Their primary owners were future Washington state governor Booth Gardner and Jim Guercio, owner of the Caribou Ranch.
They played one season in 1978 under head coaches Dave Clements, who was also a player on the team, and Dan Wood. The arrival of the Caribous marked the return of professional first division soccer to Denver after a two-year absence caused by the departure of the Denver Dynamos to Minneapolis in 1976. During their only season in the Mile High City, the new team compiled the worst record in the league (8-22) and finished in last place in the Central Division of the National Conference. After the season, the club moved to Atlanta to become the Atlanta Chiefs.
Chicago Sting
Founded: 1975 [folded 1988] Stadium: Soldier Field Stadium Address: 1410 S Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Chicago Sting (1975-1988) was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1984 to 1988. They won the Soccer Bowl in 1981 and 1984.
The Sting were founded in 1975 by Lee Stern of Chicago. A few years after founding the Sting, Stern brought Willy Roy on as head coach. Roy coached the Sting for the remainder of their outdoor existence.
The team was named in reference to the popular 1973 film, The Sting, whose action was set in Chicago of the 1930s.
The club played at various venues. The outdoor team spread their games around Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, and Comiskey Park during their 20 years of operation. The indoor entry called both Chicago Stadium and the Rosemont Horizon (now the Allstate Arena) home.
During the fall of 1984, San Diego, Chicago, New York, and Minnesota joined the MISL for the indoor season. San Diego, Chicago and Minnesota remained with the MISL.
Founded: 1971 [folded 1985] Nickname: Cosmos Stadium: Giants Stadium Stadium Address: Meadowlands Sports Complex, East Rutherford, NJ 07073 League: NASL (North American Soccer League) Winner of cup(s):
History: The New York Cosmos (1971-1985), known simply as the Cosmos for the 1977 and 1978 seasons, was a soccer franchise based in New York City and its suburbs that operated in the North American Soccer League from 1971 to 1984. Founded by brothers Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegün as well as Warner Bros. President Steve Ross, it was without any doubt the strongest NASL franchises, both athletically and financially.
It became known around the world for signing the great Brazilian player Pelé who, though past his prime, was nonetheless one of the team's, and the league's, top gate draws during his tenure with the Cosmos. The NASL folded after the 1984 season, but the Cosmos attempted to operate as an independent team in 1985 before it ceased activity too.
During the fall of 1984, San Diego, Chicago, New York, and Minnesota joined the MISL for the indoor season. San Diego, Chicago and Minnesota remained with the MISL. New York played exhibition games during 1985 before folding.
Founded: 1967 [folded 1981] Nickname: The Tornado Stadium: Ownby Stadium Stadium Address: 5800 Ownby Dr, Dallas, TX 75205 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. The franchise was one of the original clubs that played in the United Soccer Association, one of the two precursors to the NASL, in 1967. In fact the USA was made up of international clubs playing in U.S. cities as American teams. The team that played as the Dallas Tornado were Dundee United of the Scottish Football League.
Notes: Stadiums used: Cotton Bowl (1967-1968), P.C. Cobb Stadium (1969), Franklin Field (1970-1971), Texas Stadium (1972-1975, 1980-1981), Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus (1976-1979).
Detroit Express
Founded: 1978 [folded 1983] Nickname: The Express Stadium: Pontiac Silverdome Stadium Address: 1200 Featherstone Road, Pontiac, MI 48342 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Detroit Express was a soccer team based in suburban Detroit that played in the now defunct North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1978 to 1980. The Express were co-owned and directed by famous English soccer pundit Jimmy Hill who was also the managing director and then chairman of the English club Coventry City. The team was coached by Ken Furphy.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Web site: http://www.strikers.com/ Founded: 1977 [folded 1983] Stadium: Lockhart Stadium Stadium Address: 5201 NW 12th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Fort Lauderdale Strikers was an American soccer team, a descendant of the Washington Darts, Miami Gatos, and Miami Toros, that played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Strikers were members of the North American Soccer League from 1977 to its penultimate year, 1983. They were owned by the Robbie family who also owned the Miami Dolphins.
History: The Houston Hurricane was a soccer team based out of Houston that played in the NASL. They played from 1978 to 1980. Their home field was the Astrodome. Their colors were orange, white and red.
The team was the last of 6 expansion teams granted for the season and had about 3 months to sign players and sell tickets. Though the coach, Timo Liekoski, who had been an assistant with the Dallas Tornado, was capable, assembling a competitive team in so short a time would be daunting. In any case, the Hurricane placed last in its first season with 10 wins of 30 matches (there were no draws allowed in the NASL) and drew a miserable average attendance of 5,806, with only Chicago Sting and San Diego Sockers drawing worse in the 30-team league.
Los Angeles Aztecs
Founded: 1974 [folded 1981] Stadium: Rose Bowl Stadium Address: 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Aztecs are remembered for their mixed success and were sometimes compared to the New York Cosmos as the Cosmos of the West Coast. However, they did not draw nearly as well as the Cosmos, or even the Seattle Sounders, who were consistently the attendance leaders among the Western NASL teams. They won the 1974 Soccer Bowl over the Miami Toros. In 1976, a fading George Best signed with the team and played from 1976 to 1978. In 1979 attendance peaked (with an average attendance of around 14,000) as Rinus Michels signed the Dutch superstar Johan Cruyff who went on to win the NASL Most Valuable Player Award in his one year with the Aztecs.
Notes: Stadiums used: Weingart Stadium, East Los Angeles College (1974), Murdock Stadium, El Camino Junior College (1975-1976), Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1977, 1981), Rose Bowl (1978-1980).
Memphis Rogues
Founded: 1978 [folded 1980] Nickname: Rogues Stadium: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Stadium Address: 335 S Hollywood St, Memphis, TN 38104 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: In the mid-1970s, two men, Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. and Beau Rogers, joined forces to establish a new North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise. Mangurian owned a horse racing track in Florida, and Rogers was part-owner and general manager of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. As the two men searched for a city to serve as home for their new team, they looked at several locations in the southern U.S. before settling on Memphis, Tennessee. Next, they decided to name the team the "Rogues" in part as an allusion to the Rowdies, as well as for a desire to have an elephant mascot (a "Rogue" elephant).
Minnesota Kicks
Founded: 1976 [folded 1981] Nickname: Kicks Stadium: Metropolitan Stadium Stadium Address: 8000 Cedar Ave South, Bloomington, MN 55438 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: Minnesota Kicks were a professional soccer team that played at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota from 1976 to 1981. The team was a member of the now defunct North American Soccer League. The team had relocated to Minnesota in 1976 after having been based in Denver, Colorado as the Denver Dynamos.
New England Tea Men
Founded: 1978 [folded 1980] Stadium: Schaefer Stadium Stadium Address: Foxborough, MA 02035 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The original owner of the team was the Lipton Tea company and so the name was given with the Boston Tea Party in mind. The New England Tea Men were a soccer (football) team based out of Foxboro, MA (a suburb of Boston) that played in the NASL from 1978 to 1980. After leaving Boston, the team moved to Jacksonville and became the Jacksonville Tea Men.
Notes: Stadiums used: Schaefer Stadium (1978, 1980), Nickerson Field (1979).
Oakland Stompers
Founded: 1978 [folded 1978] Nickname: Stompers Stadium: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium Address: 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: At the end of the 1977 NASL season, the Connecticut Bicentennials relocated to Oakland where the team renamed itself as the Stompers. At the end of the 1978 season, the team moved again, this time to Edmonton, Canada where the team was renamed the Edmonton Drillers.
Philadelphia Fury
Founded: 1978 [folded 1980] Nickname: Fury Stadium: Veterans Stadium Stadium Address: 3501 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Philadelphia Fury was a soccer team based in Philadelphia that played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1980. Among the club's investors were rock musicians Rick Wakeman, Peter Frampton and Paul Simon.
The Fury returned NASL soccer to Philadelphia for the first time since the Philadelphia Atoms folded in 1976. Although never posting a winning season, they did make the playoffs in two of their three seasons. But attendance declined with each season and after a poor year on the pitch and at the gate in 1980, the club was sold and moved to become the Montreal Manic.
Portland Timbers
Founded: 1975 [folded 1982] Nickname: The Timbers Stadium: Civic Stadium Stadium Address: 1844 SW Morrison, Portland, OR 97205 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Portland Timbers were a team in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two other soccer franchises: the Timbers of the WSA/APSL and the current team of the USL.
Rochester Lancers
Founded: 1967 [folded 1980] Stadium: Holleder Memorial Stadium Stadium Address: Ridgeway Ave & Mount Read Blvd, Rochester, NY 14623 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based out of Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium (renamed Holleder Memorial Stadium in 1974).
San Diego Sockers
Founded: 1974 [folded 1996] Nickname: Sockers Stadium: San Diego Stadium Stadium Address: 9449 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92108 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The San Diego Sockers were one of the most successful indoor soccer teams in the sport's short history. The team won ten championships in both the original Major Indoor Soccer League and the North American Soccer League. The team began as the Baltimore Comets in 1974 but moved to San Diego as the San Diego Jaws in 1976. After a one year stay in Las Vegas, the team returned as the San Diego Sockers in 1978.
The San Diego Sockers, one of the most successful indoor soccer teams in a number of national leagues, kicked off in 1974 as the Baltimore Comets. Within a year, the team packed up for a cross country move to San Diego where they were renamed the San Diego Jaws. After a few rocky seasons, the Jaws departed for Las Vegas in 1977 but moved back to San Diego in 1978, where they were finally dubbed the San Diego Sockers.
Initially, victories came slowly for the San Diego Sockers but mounted quickly. With a building fan base and budding talent pool, the San Diego Sockers won the North American Soccer League (NASL) Championships of 1982 and again in 1984. Success was far from over for the San Diego Sockers. When the NASL folded, the San Diego Sockers moved to the Major Indoor Soccer League and won eight championships: 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. The San Diego Sockers carried their success from one league to the next. They switched to the Continental Indoor Soccer League for three more years from 1993 to 1995. However, after several ownership changes, the San Diego Sockers folded after the 1996 season.
During the fall of 1984, San Diego, Chicago, New York, and Minnesota joined the MISL for the indoor season. San Diego, Chicago and Minnesota remained with the MISL.
Notes: Their stadium is now known as Qualcomm Stadium, for sponsorship purposes.
San Jose Earthquakes
Founded: 1974 [folded 1988] Stadium: Spartan Stadium Stadium Address: 1257 S 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The San Jose Earthquakes was a professional soccer club that played from 1974 to 1984 in the North American Soccer League. The team was known as the Golden Bay Earthquakes from 1983 to 1984, and resurfaced (once again as the San Jose Earthquakes) in the Western Soccer Alliance from 1985 to 1988. The franchise also played indoor soccer in the original MISL and in the NASL's indoor circuit. The name Earthquakes came from a newspaper contest in the San Jose Mercury News.
Seattle Sounders
Founded: 1974 [folded 1983] Nickname: Sounders Stadium: Kingdome Stadium Address: 201 S. King Street, Seattle, WA 98104 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Seattle Sounders were a U.S. professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1974, the team belonged to the North American Soccer League where it played both indoor and outdoor soccer. The team folded after the 1983 NASL outdoor season.
Notes: Stadiums used: Memorial Stadium (1974-1975), Kingdome (1976-1983).
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Web site: http://www.tampabayrowdies.com Founded: 1975 [folded 1993] Nickname: Rowdies Stadium: Tampa Stadium Stadium Address: 4201 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33607 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Tampa Bay Rowdies was a professional soccer team from Tampa, Florida, USA. The team played in the North American Soccer League until the league's dissolution and went on to play in several other leagues before folding in 1993. The Rowdies played their outdoor home games at Tampa Stadium and their indoor games at the Bayfront Center Arena in nearby St. Petersburg, Florida.
Originally founded as a North American Soccer League expansion franchise in 1975 by George Strawbridge, the Rowdies played ten seasons at Tampa Stadium and won their only Soccer Bowl championship in their inaugural season defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0. The Rowdies lost in the finals in 1978 and 1979. The team showcased international stars such as midfield captain Rodney Marsh (England), league leading goal scorer Oscar Fabbiani, swift and lethal forward Steve Wegerle (South Africa), rock-solid defenseman Arsene Auguste (Haiti), and popular player and high goal-scoring Derek Smethurst (South Africa). Coached by Eddie Firmani, John Boyle, and Gordon Jago, their catch phrase and marketing slogan was "The Rowdies arrrre...a kick in the grass!"
Fans of the Rowdies were dubbed Fannies. The most famous Fannies were the notorious North End Zone Gang (AKA the Ozone, the Yellow Card Section, The Mooners and the Village Idiots). The gang of college aged beer swilling fans were known for their wild antics, including throwing dead mullets dressed in mini Ft. Lauderdale Strikers uniforms onto the field.
After the 1983 season, the team was sold to Stella Thayer, Bob Blanchard and Dick Corbett.
Toronto Metros-Croatia
Founded: 1971 [folded 1984] Nickname: Blizzard, Metros, Metros-Croatia Stadium: Varsity Stadium Stadium Address: 277 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 3J3 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Toronto Metros were a soccer team based out of Toronto that played in the NASL. They played from 1971 to 1974. Their home field was Varsity Stadium. The Metros merged with National Soccer League side Toronto Croatia in 1975 to form NASL club Toronto Metros-Croatia.
The Toronto Metros-Croatia were formed in 1975 when the Toronto Metros of the North American Soccer League were merged with Toronto Croatia of the National Soccer League. The team competed in the NASL between 1975 and 1978 and was able to become champion of the NASL by winning the 1976 Soccer Bowl. Following the 1978 season, the team split.
The Toronto Blizzard came into existence when the Global Television Network purchased the struggling Toronto Metros-Croatia on February 1, 1979. Following the purchase, Toronto Croatia returned to the National Soccer League. Croatia had left the NSL to merge with NASL side Toronto Metros in 1975 to form Metros-Croatia. The Metros had won the NASL Soccer Bowl trophy in 1976 with the aid of Portuguese soccer legend Eusebio.
Tulsa Roughnecks
Founded: 1978 [folded 1984] Nickname: Roughnecks, 'Necks Stadium: Skelly Stadium Stadium Address: S Florence & E 8th, Tulsa, OK 74104 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The Tulsa Roughnecks (1978-1984) were a North American Soccer League team from Tulsa, Oklahoma. They played at the Skelly Stadium, on the campus of the University of Tulsa. They were a regular in the NASL playoffs, winning the Soccer Bowl in 1983.
After the 1984 season, Tulsa folded.
Vancouver Whitecaps
Founded: 1974 [folded 1984] Nickname: The 'Caps Stadium: BC Place Stadium Stadium Address: 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League (NASL). The Whitecaps achieved good success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home grown" stars like Bobby and Sam Lenarduzzi, Buzz Parsons, and Glen Johnson. In 1979 the team from the "Village of Vancouver" (a reference to ABC TV sportscaster Jim McKay's observation that "Vancouver must be like the deserted village right now", with so many people watching the game on TV) beat the powerhouse New York Cosmos in one of the most thrilling playoff series in NASL history to advance to the Soccer Bowl. In the Soccer Bowl, they triumphed against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a disappointed New York City.
It was during this short period that soccer interest peaked in Vancouver. The Whitecaps attendance at Empire Stadium grew to regular sellouts, at 32,000. The team also recorded two tracks, with "White is the Colour" becoming a hit on local radio during the run-up to their championship win.
After playing at Vancouver's 32,000-seat Empire Stadium for most of their existence, the team moved into the cavernous 60,000-seat BC Place Stadium in 1983. Although the novelty of the stadium drew capacity crowds for the first few games, attendance waned quickly, due to the declining league and, in the opinion of many fans, the harsh environment of the domed stadium.
With the subsequent demise of the NASL, in 1984 the Whitecaps, along with many other teams in the NASL, were forced to fold.
Notes: Stadiums used: Empire Stadium (1974-1983), BC Place Stadium (1983-1984).
Washington Diplomats
Founded: 1974 [folded 1981] Nickname: Diplomats, Dips Stadium: RFK Stadium Stadium Address: 2400 East Capital St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 League: NASL (North American Soccer League)
History: The original Washington Diplomats first came into being when, in 1974, the North American Soccer League (NASL) granted a franchise to a Washington, D.C. based business group. The team played their home games at RFK Stadium except for 1976 when they played at W.T. Woodson High School in Northern Virginia. After a lackluster beginning to the franchise, the Diplomats qualified for the playoffs and increased average game attendance in each of their last three years of existence. Additionally, in their final year, the Diplomats were able to sign the future European Player of the Century Johan Cruyff. After the 1980 season the Diplomats folded when then owner, the Madison Square Garden Corp., had accumulated losses of $6 million and team president Steve Danzansky could not gather enough money to keep the team alive.
Notes: Stadiums used: RFK Stadium (1974-1975, 1977-1981), Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School in Northern Virginia (1976).
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NASL (North American Soccer League)
