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The North American Soccer League (NASL) was the top-level major professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984. It is considered the first soccer league to be successful on a national scale in the United States. The league final was called the Soccer Bowl from 1975 to 1983 and the Soccer Bowl Series in its final year, 1984. The league was headed by Commissioner Phil Woosnam from 1969 to 1983. The NASL laid the foundations for soccer in the United States that helped lead to the country hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup and setting up Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1996.
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) governs most levels of soccer in the United States, including the national teams, professional leagues, and amateur leagues, being the highest soccer authority in the country. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governs most colleges; secondary schools are governed by state-level associations, with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) setting the rules at that level. The match regulations are generally the same between the three governing bodies although there are many subtle differences.
The Soccer Bowl was the annual championship game of the North American Soccer League (NASL), which ran from 1968 to 1984. The two top teams from the playoffs faced off in the final to determine the winner of the NASL Trophy. From the league's founding in 1968 through 1974, the championship game was known as the NASL Championship Final, and in 1984 the single game was replaced by a best-of-three series known as the Soccer Bowl Series.
The Oakland Clippers were an American soccer team based in Oakland, California. They played in the non-FIFA sanctioned National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) in 1967 and the North American Soccer League (NASL) in the following season. Their home field was Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum.
The Philadelphia Atoms were an American soccer team based out of Philadelphia that played in the North American Soccer League (NASL). They played from 1973 to 1976, at Veterans Stadium (1973–75) and Franklin Field (1976). The club's colors were blue and white. The club was succeeded by the Philadelphia Fury in 1978.
The Philadelphia Fury was an American soccer team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that last competed in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). The club formerly competed in the American Soccer League and is currently owned by Martin E. Judge and Matt Driver. The team continues to sport the colors of the original NASL team.
Team America was a professional version of the United States men's national soccer team which played as a franchise in the North American Soccer League (NASL) during the 1983 season. The team was based in Washington, D.C., played its home games at RFK Stadium, and was intended by the NASL and the United States Soccer Federation to build fan support for the league and create a cohesive and internationally competitive national team. However, the team finished in last place and drew only 13,000 fans per game.
Matthew David Bahr is an American former professional football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL), and professional soccer player in the North American Soccer League. He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where he excelled in both football and soccer. He is the son of National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Walter Bahr, and is the brother of NFL kicker Chris Bahr; he and Chris are two of six players to have played in both pro soccer and the NFL.
Christopher Kurt Bahr is an American former professional football and soccer player. He was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) and played midfielder in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
Bob Rigby is an American retired soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. He played twelve seasons in the North American Soccer League, three in the Major Indoor Soccer League, one in the Western Soccer Alliance and earned six caps with the United States men's national soccer team. Rigby was the color commentator with the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.
Al Miller is an American former collegiate and professional soccer coach. After leaving coaching, he then became a general manager for two indoor soccer clubs in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
George O'Neill is a former professional soccer player who played as a left half. He began his career in Scotland, playing with eight clubs over nine seasons before moving to the Philadelphia Atoms of the North American Soccer League. He retired from playing professionally in 1976. In 1973, he earned two caps with the U.S. national team.
Adrian Brooks is a former professional footballer who was the #2 draft pick in the NASL in 1979 and spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League and at least 4 in the Major Indoor Soccer League.He played 2 seasons in the American Soccer League, winning the ASL title in 1980 with the Pennsylvania Stoners .He was a 1977 and 1978 first team All American, coached at the collegiate level and is a sales representative for Adidas.
Derek Alan Trevis was an English professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Active in both England and the United States, Trevis made nearly 500 career league appearances.
Brooks Cryder is a retired American soccer defender who played professionally in the American Soccer League, North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.
Bill Sautter is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League, American Soccer League and United Soccer League.
Ryan Richter is an American former professional soccer player and current assistant coach for Philadelphia Union in MLS.
The North American Soccer League (NASL) was a professional men's soccer league based in the United States. The league was named for, but had no connection to, the original North American Soccer League. The later NASL was founded in 2009, and began play in 2011 with eight teams.
Fabrice Jean-Ian "Fafà" Picault is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps and the Haiti national team.
North American Soccer League (NASL) was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984. Beginning in 1975, the league final was called the Soccer Bowl.
References
- ↑ Shope, Dan (January 24, 1984). "The Stoners Fade Out With A Touch Of Class" . Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- ↑ "Philly Soccer History". philadelphiaunion.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- ↑ Savit, Michael K. (November 1, 1975). "Crimson Kickers Lose, 2-0, To Strong Penn Offense". thecrimson.com. Retrieved August 12, 2014.