1978 North American Soccer League season

Last updated

North American Soccer League
Season1978
Champions Cosmos
(3rd title)
Premiers Cosmos
(2nd title)
Matches played360
Goals scored1,240 (3.44 per match)
Top goalscorer Giorgio Chinaglia
(34 goals)
Biggest home win DET 10–0 SJ
(July 12) [1]
Biggest away win LA 0–5 MIN
(August 2) [2]
Highest scoring DET 10–0 SJ
(July 12) [3]
TOR 8–2 OAK
(June 30) [4]
Longest winning run13, Vancouver
(June 22 – August 6) [5]
Longest losing run13, San Jose
(May 31 – July 19) [6]
Highest attendance71,219
Seattle at Cosmos
(May 21) [7]
Lowest attendance1,538
N.E. at Chicago (May 7) [8]
Average attendance13,084 [9]
← 1977
1979 →

The 1978 North American Soccer League season was the 66th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 11th with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada.

Contents

Changes from the previous season

New teams

Teams folding

Teams moving

Name changes

Map of clubs

Blue pog.svg American East Division Red pog.svg American Central Division Black pog.svg American West Division
Green pog.svg National East Division Purple pog.svg National Central Division Orange pog.svg National West Division

Season recap

Bolstered by the success of the previous season, the league added six teams to reach 24 in total. [10] The Colorado Caribous launched in Denver, [11] the Detroit Express [12] and Houston Hurricane [13] became the second and third teams to play in fully enclosed indoor stadiums, the Philadelphia Fury brought soccer back to Philadelphia, [14] the New England Tea Men would be the third attempt to have NASL soccer succeed in the Boston area and the Memphis Rogues would bring pro soccer to Tennessee.

There were also the usual franchise movements. Team Hawaii became the Tulsa Roughnecks, [15] the Las Vegas Quicksilver became the San Diego Sockers, the Connecticut Bicentennials became the Oakland Stompers and the St. Louis Stars moved to Anaheim to become the California Surf.

With so many new clubs, the NASL realigned into a six-division format while expanding the playoffs to include 16 teams. The new alignment was a direct copy of the NFL's setup, as the new three-division conferences were called the 'American Soccer Conference' and the 'National Soccer Conference', respectively. Each conference had East, Central and West divisions as well. [16]

The top two teams in each division would quality for the playoffs. The other spots would go to the next best two teams in the conference, regardless of division. The top three seeds went to the division winners, seeds 4-6 went to the second place teams and the last two seeds were known as 'wild-cards' – another nod to the NFL. The winners of each successive round would be reseeded within the conference. The first round and the Soccer Bowl were single games, while the conference semifinals and championships were two-game series. As in the 1977 playoffs, if both teams were tied at one win apiece at the conclusion of Game 2, there would be a 30-minute sudden-death mini-game and a shootout if necessary. [17]

The Cosmos would set records for most wins and points in an NASL season, thanks to their 24-6 regular-season mark (shared with the Vancouver Whitecaps) and 212 points. The Cosmos beat the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, 7–0, on opening day [18] and never looked back, scoring 88 times while losing just three games in regulation. Giorgio Chinaglia scored 34 goals and 79 points, setting league records in the process. He did not win regular season MVP honors, however. That award went to New England's Mike Flanagan, who scored 30 goals and 68 points while leading the Tea Men to an unlikely ASC East title. At the age of 36, Alan Hinton of Vancouver set a league record of his own with 30 assists. [19]

Still, the Cosmos needed a major rally to beat the Minnesota Kicks in the NSC playoffs. The Kicks won the first game by an extraordinary 9–2 score behind Alan Willey's five goals, [20] but the Cosmos won Game 2, 4–0, back at Giants Stadium. The resulting mini-game went to a shootout, and Carlos Alberto and Franz Beckenbauer scored goals to keep the Cosmos alive. [21] The Portland Timbers were shut out over both games of the National Conference final, [22] and the Tampa Bay Rowdies were beaten before 74,901 fans at Giants Stadium in the Soccer Bowl. [23] The Cosmos became the first back-to-back champions in NASL history.

After the season the Colorado Caribous would move to Atlanta, [24] while the Oakland Stompers would move to Edmonton just two months before the start of the 1979 NASL season. [25] The Stompers had drawn over 32,000 for their opening game at the Oakland Coliseum, [26] but were drawing crowds under 10,000 by the end of the season. The Caribous had the worst record in the league and only drew one crowd bigger than 10,000 the entire year.

Regular season

W = Wins, L = Losses, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, BP = Bonus Points, Pts = Point System

6 points for a win, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for each regulation goal scored up to three per game.

 -Premiers (most points).  -Other playoff teams.

NASL League Leaders

Scoring

GP = Games Played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points

PlayerTeamGPGAPts
Giorgio Chinaglia Cosmos30341179
Mike Flanagan New England Tea Men2830868
Trevor Francis Detroit Express20221054
Kevin Hector Vancouver Whitecaps28211052
Rodney Marsh Tampa Bay Rowdies26181652
Jeff Bourne Dallas Tornado3021850
Karl-Heinz Granitza Chicago Sting2219947
Alan Willey Minnesota Kicks3021345
Ivan Lukačević Toronto Metros-Croatia1716537
David Irving Fort Lauderdale Strikers2816537
Bob Lenarduzzi Vancouver Whitecaps29101737
Vladislav Bogićević Cosmos30101737

Goalkeeping

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; SO = Shutouts

PlayerTeamGPMinGAGAAWLSO
Phil Parkes Vancouver Whitecaps292650280.9523610
Erol Yasin Cosmos221916241.131756
Mick Poole Portland Timbers302783361.1620109
Steve Hardwick Detroit Express302734361.1920109
Kevin Keelan New England Tea Men292609361.2418117
Winston DuBose Tampa Bay Rowdies151352191.27874
Željko Bilecki Toronto Metros-Croatia171550231.341076
Dave Jokerst California Surf171574241.37986
Colin Boulton Tulsa Roughnecks282531391.39171110
Tony Chursky Seattle Sounders282617411.4114149

NASL All-Stars

First Team  Position  Second TeamHonorable Mention
Flag of England.svg Kevin Keelan, New England G Flag of the United States.svg Alan Mayer, San Diego Ulster Banner.svg Bill Irwin, Washington
Flag of Brazil.svg Carlos Alberto, Cosmos D Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bruce Wilson, Chicago Flag of England.svg Maurice Whittle, Fort Lauderdale
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mike England, SeattleD Flag of Haiti (1964-1986).svg Arsene Auguste, Tampa Bay Flag of the United States.svg Werner Roth, Cosmos
Flag of England.svg Ray Evans, CaliforniaD Flag of England.svg John Craven, Vancouver Flag of Scotland.svg Jim Steele, Washington
Flag of England.svg Chris Turner, New EnglandD Flag of England.svg Alan Merrick, Minnesota Flag of the United States.svg Dave D'Errico, New England
Flag of Germany.svg Franz Beckenbauer, Cosmos M Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Vladislav Bogićević, Cosmos Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Ace Ntsoelengoe, Minnesota
Flag of Ireland.svg Gerry Daly, New EnglandM Flag of England.svg Alan Ball, Philadelphia Ulster Banner.svg George Best, Fort Lauderdale
Flag of England.svg Rodney Marsh, Tampa BayM Flag of England.svg Ray Hudson, Fort Lauderdale Flag of Hungary.svg József Horváth, Rochester
Flag of England.svg Mike Flanagan, New England F Flag of England.svg Steve Hunt, Cosmos Flag of England.svg Dennis Tueart, Cosmos
Flag of England.svg Trevor Francis, DetroitF Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Steve Wegerle, Tampa Bay Flag of Germany.svg Karl-Heinz Granitza, Chicago
Flag of Italy.svg Giorgio Chinaglia, CosmosF Flag of England.svg Kevin Hector, Vancouver Flag of Bermuda.svg Clyde Best, Portland • Flag of Denmark.svg Jorgen Kristensen, Chicago

Playoffs

The first round and the Soccer Bowl were single game match ups, while the conference semifinals and championships were all two-game series. [27]

Bracket

Conference QuarterfinalsConference SemifinalsConference Championships Soccer Bowl '78
            
A1 Detroit Express 1
A8 Philadelphia Fury 0
A1 Detroit Express 1
A7 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2
A2 New England Tea Men 1
A7 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3
A7 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1
American Conference
A4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
A3 San Diego Sockers 2
A6 California Surf 1
A3 San Diego Sockers 1
A4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
A4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3
A5 Chicago Sting 1
A4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1
N1 Cosmos 3
N1 Cosmos 5
N8 Seattle Sounders 2
N1 Cosmos 2
N3 Minnesota Kicks 1
N3 Minnesota Kicks 3
N6 Tulsa Roughnecks 1
N1 Cosmos 2
National Conference
N4 Portland Timbers 0
N2 Vancouver Whitecaps 4
N7 Toronto Metros-Croatia 0
N2 Vancouver Whitecaps 0
N4 Portland Timbers 2
N4 Portland Timbers 2
N5 Washington Diplomats 1

Conference Quarterfinals

August 8 Detroit Express 1–0 Philadelphia Fury Pontiac Silverdome • 22,456
August 9 New England Tea Men 1–3 Fort Lauderdale Strikers Schaefer Stadium • 18,672
August 8 San Diego Sockers 2–1 California Surf San Diego Stadium • 6,238
August 8 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3–1 Chicago Sting Tampa Stadium • 26,596
August 9 Cosmos 5–2 Seattle Sounders Giants Stadium • 47,780
August 10 Minnesota Kicks 3–1 Tulsa Roughnecks Metropolitan Stadium • 36,478
August 9 Vancouver Whitecaps 4–0 Toronto Metros-Croatia Empire Stadium • 30,811
August 9 Portland Timbers 2–1(OT) Washington Diplomats Civic Stadium • 14,230

Conference semifinals

In 1978, if a playoff series was tied after two games, a 30 minute, golden goal, mini-game was played. If neither team scored in the mini-game, they would move on to a shoot-out to determine a series winner. *Teams were re-seeded for the Conference Semifinals based on regular season point totals. This affected only one of the four series; Tampa Bay versus San Diego. [28]

Higher seedLower seedGame 1Game 2Mini-game(lower seed hosts Game 1)
Detroit Express - Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3–4 (SO, 2–3)1–00–1August 13 • Lockhart Stadium • 11,517
August 16 • Pontiac Silverdome • 32,219
* Tampa Bay Rowdies - San Diego Sockers 1–01–21–0August 14 • San Diego Stadium • 8,014
August 17 • Tampa Stadium • 32,495
Cosmos - Minnesota Kicks 2–94–01– 0 (SO, 2–1)August 14 • Metropolitan Stadium • 45,863
August 16 • Giants Stadium • 60,199
Vancouver Whitecaps - Portland Timbers 0–11–2xAugust 12 • Civic Stadium • 16,437
August 16 • Empire Stadium • 32,266

Conference Championships

Higher seedLower seedGame 1Game 2Mini-game(lower seed hosts Game 1)
Tampa Bay Rowdies - Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2–33–11–0 (SO, 2–1)August 20 • Lockhart Stadium • 16,286
August 23 • Tampa Stadium • 37,249
Cosmos - Portland Timbers 1–04–0xAugust 18 • Civic Stadium • 24,515
August 23 • Giants Stadium • 65,287

Soccer Bowl '78

Cosmos 3–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies
Tueart Soccerball shade.svg30:42' (Iarusci, Hunt)
Chinaglia Soccerball shade.svg44:38'
Tueart Soccerball shade.svg76:49' (Iarusci, Roth)		 Report Mirandinha Soccerball shade.svg73:34' (Robb)
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Attendance: 74,901
Referee: Jim Highet (Canada)

1978 NASL Champions: Cosmos

Playoff Statistics

Mini-games are not counted as games played when compiling individual statistics. They are included in the minutes played category.

Scoring

GP = Games Played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points

PlayerTeamGPGAPts
Dennis Tueart Cosmos66517
Alan Willey Minnesota Kicks37014
Giorgio Chinaglia Cosmos65212
David Irving Fort Lauderdale Strikers55010
Rodney Marsh Tampa Bay Rowdies5339

Goalkeeping

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; SO = Shutouts

PlayerTeamGPMinGAGAAWLSO
Phil Parkes Vancouver Whitecaps327031.00121
Alan Mayer San Diego Sockers322531.00110
Steve Hardwick Detroit Express330641.33212
Mick Poole Portland Timbers545781.60321
Winston DuBose Tampa Bay Rowdies6574101.67331

Post season awards

Team attendance totals

TeamGamesTotalAverage [30]
Cosmos 15717,84247,856
Minnesota Kicks 15462,90430,860
Seattle Sounders 15338,67722,578
Tampa Bay Rowdies 15271,85618,124
Vancouver Whitecaps 15235,86615,724
San Jose Earthquakes 15214,77714,318
Detroit Express 15182,90612,194
New England Tea Men 15180,95412,064
Oakland Stompers 15178,94111,929
Portland Timbers 15177,04911,803
Tulsa Roughnecks 15168,83411,256
California Surf 15167,56911,171
Washington Diplomats 15161,74110,783
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 15157,18810,479
Los Angeles Aztecs 15139,5149,301
Memphis Rogues 15135,4829,032
Dallas Tornado 15128,1498,543
Philadelphia Fury 15121,1278,075
Houston Hurricane 15116,2477,750
Colorado Caribous 15111,2667,418
Rochester Lancers 15101,4026,760
Toronto Metros-Croatia 1593,5016,233
San Diego Sockers 1577,1855,146
Chicago Sting 1569,2674,618
Overall3604,710,24413,084

References

  1. ↑ "Francis steals Express' show". Windsor Star. July 13, 1978. p. 26. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  2. ↑ NASL: A Complete Record Of The North American Soccer League. 1989. p. 196.
  3. ↑ 1979 Official North American Soccer League Guide. 1979. p. 152.
  4. ↑ NASL: A Complete Record Of The North American Soccer League. 1989. p. 199.
  5. ↑ "NASL prepares for playoff wars". St. Petersburg Times. August 7, 1978. p. 7C. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  6. ↑ NASL: A Complete Record Of The North American Soccer League. 1989. p. 204.
  7. ↑ "Chinaglia powers Cosmos". The Spokesman-Review. May 22, 1978. p. 20. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  8. ↑ NASL: A Complete Record Of The North American Soccer League. 1989. p. 188.
  9. ↑ "Attendance Project: NASL". Kenn Tomasch. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  10. ↑ Soccer In A Football World. 2008. pp. 186–187.
  11. ↑ "NASL May Add Six Teams". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. August 31, 1977. p. 3-C. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Soccer League Eyes Expansion". The Spokesman-Review. October 13, 1977. p. 26. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Houston May Be Alive And Kicking In NASL". Evening Independent. January 5, 1978. p. 2-C. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  14. ↑ "NASL Song: Rock Stars Get In Act". Evening Independent. November 16, 1977. p. 2-C. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Tulsa Gets Team Hawaii". Milwaukee Sentinel. November 16, 1977. p. 16. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  16. ↑ Tierney, Mike (January 10, 1978). "Rowdies, Strikers Mates – But Not Cosmos". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1C. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  17. ↑ 1979 Official North American Soccer League Guide. 1979. p. 367.
  18. ↑ "Minus A Star, Cosmos Shine". Evening Independent. April 3, 1978. p. 2-C. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  19. ↑ Pentz, Matt (February 13, 2015). "In his own endearing way, Alan Hinton deals with cancer battle". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Willey's Five Goals Propel Kicks". Ocala Star-Banner. August 15, 1978. p. 5B. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Express Fall To Strikers In OT". Lakeland Ledger. August 17, 1978. p. 4D. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Cosmos Cut Up Timbers". Evening Independent. August 24, 1978. p. 2-C. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  23. ↑ Tierney, Mike (August 28, 1978). "Cosmos Spoil Rowdies' Bid For Crown". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1A. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Sale Of NASL Caribous Approved". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 4, 1978. p. 4-D. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  25. ↑ "NASL owners okay move to Edmonton". Lewiston Morning Tribune. February 23, 1979. p. 7B. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Shootout Thriller: 32,000 See Stompers Edge Earthquakes". The Modesto Bee . April 3, 1978. p. B-3. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  27. ↑ 1979 Official North American Soccer League Guide. 1979. p. 367.
  28. ↑ Rosenblatt, Richard (August 16, 1978). "Complicated Playoffs May Kick Out Best NASL Team". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. 1-C. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  29. ↑ "NASL all-star team picked". Ellensburg Daily Record . August 26, 1978. p. 8. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Attendance Project: NASL". Kenn Tomasch. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

1979 Official North American Soccer League Guide. New York: North American Soccer League. 1979.

Jose, Colin (1989). NASL: A Complete Record of the North American Soccer League. Derby, England: Breedon Books.

Jose, Colin (2003). North American Soccer League Encyclopedia. Haworth, New Jersey: St. Johann Press.

Wangerin, David (2008). Soccer In A Football World. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.