The World Indoor Soccer League (WISL) was a United States-based indoor soccer league that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.
The Dallas Sidekicks were one of the longest operating professional soccer teams, either indoor or outdoor, in the United States, based in Dallas, Texas, and operating from 1984 until suspending operations following the 2003-04 season. The team was founded as a member of the original Major Indoor Soccer League. Over the years, the team played in four other leagues. The team's most famous player was Tatu, who was known for throwing his shirt into the stands after every goal. The team hosted the 1989 MISL All-Star Game. The team was one of the most successful franchises in indoor soccer history, making the playoffs in 16 of their 19 seasons of play. In the playoffs, the team made it to the championship game/series eight times, winning four titles.
Sacramento Knights were an indoor soccer team that played from 1993 to 2001 in ARCO Arena and were owned by the NBA's Sacramento Kings. The team played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1993 to 1997. The team then moved to the World Indoor Soccer League in 1998 after the CISL folded. The team itself folded when the WISL merged with the Major Indoor Soccer League in 2001.
The Houston Hotshots are a professional indoor soccer team in Houston, Texas. They play in the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL) From 1994 to 1997 and 2000–2001, the Houston Hotshots were a full professional indoor soccer team in Houston, Texas. They played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) from 1994 to 1997, and moved to the World Indoor Soccer League in 1999 after the CISL folded. The Hotshots folded in early 2001 after failing to attract new investors. On June 28, 2015, William Alsobrook filed the necessary paperwork to revive the club and announced his intention to field a team in the upcoming Premier Arena Soccer League season.
Ralph Black is a retired Scottish-American soccer defender who spent most of his career in indoor soccer.
Robert "Rob" Baarts is a retired Canadian soccer forward who is currently the head coach of the New Mexico State University women's soccer team.
The Seattle SeaDogs were an indoor soccer team based in Seattle, Washington, United States. They played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) from 1995 to 1997 with home games at Mercer Arena and KeyArena. The team were owned by the Ackerley Group, who also operated the Seattle SuperSonics, and were announced in 1993 amid a wave of new professional soccer teams in the Seattle metropolitan area.
The Portland Pride are a defunct indoor soccer team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) from 1993 to 1997.
Dale Ervine is a former U.S. soccer midfielder who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He also earned five caps with the U.S. national team between 1985 and 1993.
Joe Leonetti is a former U.S. soccer player. He played for numerous soccer teams over a career which began in 1988 with F.C. Portland and ended in 1999 with the Willamette Valley Firebirds. He also earned two caps with the U.S. national team in 1992 and 1996.
The original Monterrey La Raza was a professional indoor soccer team based in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. The team was founded on December 29, 1992 as a member of the Continental Indoor Soccer League. After the CISL folded, the La Raza took one season off and attempted to join the National Professional Soccer League before joining the World Indoor Soccer League in 1999. The team folded after it was expelled from the WISL before the 2001 season due to the lack of progress on building Arena Monterrey.
Billy Crook is a former U.S. soccer defender who spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League, eight in Major Indoor Soccer League, two in the Western Soccer Alliance, at least two in the Continental Indoor Soccer League, and four in the American Professional Soccer League. He also earned one cap with the U.S. national team. He currently coaches youth soccer in Sumner, Washington.
Dick McCormick is a former American soccer player and current youth soccer coach. McCormick played as a midfielder in six indoor and outdoor leagues over his fourteen-year professional career. He has served as an assistant coach with the Seattle Sounders and head coach of the Sounders W-League women's team in the 2000s. He is currently the Director of Coaching with the Crossfire Premier soccer club.
Carlos "Chile" Farias is a Chilean soccer forward who has spent his entire professional career in the United States. Over the years, he has played in five indoor and outdoor leagues, including Major League Soccer. He currently plays with the Ontario Fury in the Major Arena Soccer League. He also has a wife, Jacqueline, and two children, David and Favian.
Arizona Sandsharks was a U.S. indoor soccer team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL). It was founded in 1992 and folded in 1997, along with the CISL.
Jeff Betts is an American former soccer forward and coach who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time All Star and the 2000 World Indoor Soccer League Coach of the Year.
Juan de la O is a Mexican indoor soccer goalkeeper who played in several U.S. indoor leagues. He was the 1997 Continental Indoor Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Year.
Bernie Lilavois is an American soccer forward who played two seasons in the American Professional Soccer League, one in the USISL, one in the USL A-League, four in the Continental Indoor Soccer League, six in the National Professional Soccer League, and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the head coach of the Stockton Cougars in the Professional Arena Soccer League and the head coach of the US National Arena Soccer Team. He is currently the head coach and a managing partner for the Ontario Fury.
Nicholas Stavrou is an English football midfielder and coach, who played thirteen years of professional indoor soccer with the Dallas Sidekicks. He currently serves as head coach of Fort Worth Vaqueros FC in the National Premier Soccer League and as the assistant coach for the Mesquite Outlaws of the Major Arena Soccer League.
Rusty Troy is a retired American soccer player. He played for the University of North Texas. He was drafted and played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, National Professional Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League and USISL. He was the 1989 MISL Rookie of the Year and the 1998 PSA Defender of the Year.