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 was 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 the set-up of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1996.
The Jacksonville Tea Men were a soccer team based in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Overall, the Tea Men played a total of four seasons in Jacksonville, first in the major league-level North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1980–1982, then in the lower level American Soccer League and United Soccer League from 1982–1984. The NASL incarnation of the club was Jacksonville's first professional soccer team, and the first major league-level sport franchise ever based in the city.
The New England Tea Men were an American professional soccer team based in Greater Boston. They played in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1978 to 1980. Their home venues for outdoor play were Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Nickerson Field near Boston University. They also played one season of indoor soccer in the NASL, using the Providence Civic Center for home games.
Jean-Pierre Tokoto is a retired Cameroonian professional footballer. He competed for the Cameroon national team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
Keith Weller was an English footballer who played as a midfielder or striker. He is considered to be one of Leicester City's greatest-ever players.
Janusz Michallik is a retired professional soccer player, coach, and current television sports commentator. Born in Poland, he represented the United States national team.
Julio "Ringo" Cantillo is a former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. He played five seasons in the American Soccer League where he was the league MVP as a rookie. He won MVP honors a total of three times in the ASL. Cantillo also spent parts of seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and four in NASL indoor, one in the United Soccer League and one in Major Indoor Soccer League. Born in Costa Rica, Cantillo earned eleven caps with the U.S. national soccer team between 1979 and 1982.
Alan Green is a former professional footballer. Born in England, he began his career with Coventry City before moving to the United States in 1979. He played a total of seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and earned one cap with the U.S. national team.
Telmo Pires is a retired soccer player professionally in the North American Soccer League, American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. Born in Portugal, he earned one cap with the United States men's national soccer team in 1975.
Don Droege is a former U.S. soccer defender who played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and three seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned eight caps with the U.S. national team between 1977 and 1979.
Kevin Welsh is a former a U.S. soccer forward who played five seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the American Soccer League and at least one in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned one cap with the U.S. national team.
John Lignos was a U.S. soccer player who spent four seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the American Soccer League and one in the United Soccer League. He also earned one cap with the U.S. national team and was selected for the 1980 U.S. Olympic soccer team.
Lawrence Adam Michael Abrahams is an English retired professional footballer who played as a striker in England, the United States, and Australia. In a career which lasted from 1977 to 1987, Abrahams played 283 career league games, and scored 142 league goals.
Renato Cila is a retired Brazilian professional soccer defender who played in both the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.
Trevor Franklin is a retired English-American professional soccer defender.
Mark Bryant is a retired American soccer defender who played professionally in the American Soccer League. He currently coaches the Los Medanos College women's team.
Paul Toomey is a retired American soccer defender who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, American Soccer League and the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Sandje Ivanchukov was an American soccer defender who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.
Mike Gribbon is a retired American soccer defender who spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League.
Steve Reid is a retired Canadian-American football (soccer) player who played professionally in the American Soccer League, North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.
