Tulsa Ambush

National Professional Soccer League (1991-1992)

Background

The Tulsa Ambush were a One-Year Wonder that played a single season of indoor soccer at Expo Square Pavilion during the winter of 1991-92. The team was reasonably well-received in the city, claiming average attendance of 3,372 per game for 20 matches, despite a last-place 7-33 finish. Ambush attendance figures were good for 5th in the 9-club National Professional Soccer League.

Victor Moreland, a mainstay of the city’s popular Tulsa Roughnecks outdoor soccer teams from 1978-1984, served as player-coach of the Ambush. Other notable players included former Roughnecks star Barry Wallace and defender Mark Christensen, the brother of Los Angeles Raiders All-Pro tight end Todd Christensen.

Leading scorer Eloy Salgado (128 points) earned 2nd Team All-NPSL honors. He was the only Ambush player to earn post-season All-NPSL recognition.

Demise

Out-of-town owners Keith Dial and Mike Wilson worked in the aircraft industry in Wichita, Kansas. When their aircraft plating business reportedly suffered a downturn during the 1991-92 season, they looked to sell the team. The Ambush were sold to St. Louis interests in August 1992. The relocated St. Louis Ambush played indoor soccer for nearly a decade in Missouri, finally closing their doors in 2000.

We are actively seeking any memorabilia or images from the Tulsa Ambush to improve this entry.

In Memoriam

Defender Barry Wallace died of cancer at age 47 on October 17, 2006.

Forward Pedro DeBrito died of injuries sustained in a car accident on July 5, 2014 at age 55. Hartford Courant obituary.

Links

National Professional Soccer League Programs 1990-2001

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