Tag: Jimmy Hill

Johan Cruyff Washington Diplomats NASL

Washington Diplomats (1974-1981)

Of Washington D.C.’s multitude of professional and semi-pro soccer clubs, the original Diplomats of the North American Soccer League were by far the longest-lasting and most popular until the arrival of Major League Soccer and D.C. United in 1996. The Dips played from 1974 to 1981, spending most of those years at RFK Stadium. At the peak of their powers in 1980, the club shelled out a $1 million transfer fee to acquired Dutch superstar Johan Cruyff. But the Dips’ high powered corporate ownership group quickly soured on their investment and the club was out of business by late 1981. The Diplomats name and logo was later revived by a completely separate and much lower-budgeted American Soccer League club from 1987 to 1990.

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Trevor Francis Detroit Express

Detroit Express

The Detroit Express began life as an expansion team in the North American Soccer League in 1978. The Express, who played at the Pontiac Silverdome, swiftly gained international attention by acquiring English soccer star Trevor Francis on loan from Birmingham City. It was an era when NASL owners lured numerous aging European stars to America with eye-popping paychecks.  Francis was an exception to this NASL retirement plan.  He was only 25 years old and at the peak of his powers during his two Express seasons in 1978 and 1979. The NASL Express franchise moved to Washington D.C. after three seasons in early 1981. A new version of the Express immediately formed and joined the lower division American Soccer League, playing three more seasons from 1981 through 1983.

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