American Soccer League (1973-1974)
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Born: 1973
Folded: Postseason 1974
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ASL Championships: None
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For most of its existence, the American Soccer League was a collection of ethnically-based semi-pro clubs clustered in the northeast. But in the 1970’s, the ASL expanded nationwide and became American’s de facto 2nd Division, underneath the bigger-budgeted NASL. This logo was used by the league from the 1970’s until its demise in 1983.
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Background
The Indiana Tigers were an obscure 2nd division pro soccer club that played two seasons at Lew Wallace Stadium, a high school football venue, on the south side of Gary, Indiana during the early 1970’s. The Tigers posted a losing record in both campaigns before folding after the 1974 season.
The Tigers were members of the American Soccer League, which included teams in New England, New York & New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Illinois and Ohio at the time.
Details on this club are very sketchy. If you played for the Tigers or can provide any further information about this club, please leave a note in the comments section.
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6 Responses
This is all I find on the Tigers:
http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1973.html
http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1974.html
Thanks Steven,
The Year-in-American Soccer pages are pretty helpful (usually) for some of these lower division leagues of the 70’s and 80’s. In this case, not so much. It’s interesting that David has the Tigers listed as the “Gary Tigers” for 1973. Looking through the team’s own newspaper advertising and scant local media coverage in 1973, it’s clear they used the “Indiana Tigers” identity for both seasons they were active.
My husband along with Mr. Steve Fadell, Doctor Fernandez, Mr. Frank Cammarata owned the team known as the Indiana Tigers. It was way ahead of its time. Followers were few. At one time they were locked from the practice field even though they paid to use the field. Many of the players were recruited from Central America and remained in the US after ending. Rosario Cammarata also started an adult league in Glen Park, Indiana and went on to start a soccer league in Lake Havasu City. The Tigers traveled to other states in a commercial twin prop plane.
Greeting Mrs. Cammarata, on behalf of my father ( Juan Ramon Martinez) thank you for your all your husband and partners did for the sport of soccer!
You were all part of a handful of business owners who believed in the sport enough to invest in it. I hope one day the MLS can recognize your family and owners as trailblazers that you were. As I asked Mr. Steriovski, hope you are able to share pictures of the 1974 season my father played?
respectfully,
Jr. Martinez
I played for tigers both years 1973 and 1974. I was the only American citizen to play and start. All other players were from Central America four of the players played in the previous World Cup for el savador. The team was sold in 1975 and they were known as the Chicago cats for which I played for the first year. We were paid very little money for me to have continued playing. A wonderful experience for me and a dream forfilled.
Hello Mr. Steriovski , my father ( Juan Ramon Martinez ) played the 1974 season with you along some of the 1970 world cup squad teammates.
He is doing well and I hope you are too. All he can remember is being young having a blast but and extremely cold!! Your generation played for the love of the sport and pride for the colors of the jersey. Thank you for paving the way for what now is the MLS!
P.S would love if you can share any pics of that time if possible ??