Category: North American Soccer League

Karl-Heinz Granitza of the Chicago Sting on the cover of a 1984 Sting program

Chicago Sting

July 20, 2013

The Chicago Sting were an accomplished pro soccer club that enjoyed success both outdoors and indoors during a thirteen-year run from 1975 through 1988. The Sting formed as an outdoor club in 1975 in the North American Soccer League. Early seasons saw mediocrity on the pitch and pitiful crowds as the club constantly rotated matches between Comiskey Park, Soldier Field and Wrigley Field. The Sting peaked in the early 1980’s, capturing the NASL’s Soccer Bowl ’81 championship and beginning to play indoor soccer during the winters, where Sting matches were a popular attraction at Chicago Stadium. The NASL folded in 1984 bringing the Sting’s outdoor era to an end, but the team went on to play four more indoor seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League before disbanding in 1988.

Read More »
Memphis Rogues North American Soccer League

Memphis Rogues (1978-1980)

June 28, 2013

The Rogues were Memphis’ first proper pro soccer team, playing three lackluster seasons at the Liberty Bowl from 1978 to 1980. The team was both more competitive and more popular playing a lone indoor season during the winter of 1979-80 at the Mid-South Coliseum. But the franchise moved to Calgary in 1980 before it could follow up on its promising indoor debut.

Read More »
1981 Calgary Boomers Media Guide from the North American Soccer League

Calgary Boomers

May 26, 2013

North American Soccer League (1980-1981) Born: September 1980 The Memphis Rogues relocate to Calgary Folded: September 1981 First Game: November 19, 1980 (W 9-5 vs. Toronto Blizzard – indoor soccer) Last

Read More »
Seattle Sounders North American Soccer League

Seattle Sounders (1974-1983)

May 19, 2013

The original Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League were a popular, British-influenced club active for 10 seasons between 1974 and 1983.  The Sounders twice played for the NASL’s Soccer Bowl championship but were foiled by the New York Cosmos in 1977 and again in 1982. Founded in 1974, the Sounders closed their doors in 1983.

Read More »
Atlanta Chiefs North American Soccer League

Atlanta Chiefs (1979-1981)

May 12, 2013

A rare misfire for sports & media mogul Ted Turner.  This 1979-1981 edition of the Atlanta Chiefs pro soccer team was actually a resurrection of an earlier club, also known as the Atlanta Chiefs, that played in the city from 1967 to 1972.  Both editions of the Chiefs were tied into the Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves through common ownership (hence the Native American-themed identity).

Read More »