North American Soccer League

North American Soccer League (1968-1984)

Tombstone

Formed: December 13, 19671International soccer happy about merger, AP via The Windsor Star, Dec. 18, 1967
Disbanded: March 28, 19852NASL Expires Peacefully, AP via  The Spokane ChronicleDec. 29, 1985

First Game: 1968
Last Game: October 3, 1984

Seasons: 17
States & Provinces: 28
(AB, BC, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, MD, MA, MI, MI, MI, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, ONT, OR, PA, QUE, TN, TX, VA, WA)

Leadership

Commissioner

President & Chief Executive Officer*

  • June 1982 – October 1984: Howard Samuels (Deceased 1984)

*This newly created position supplanted the Commissioner as the league’s chief executive in June 1982, effectively pushing aside long-time Commissioner Phil Woosnam, though Woosnam would remain in the now diminished role of Commissioner for one more year.

President

  • December 1984 – March 1985: Clive Toye

Attendance

Trophy Case

 

OUR FAVORITE STUFF

North American Soccer League

The NASL Collection is coming soon to Royal Retros

 

North American Soccer League Franchise List

FRANCHISEYEARS ACTIVECHAMPIONSHIPSNOTES
Atlanta Apollos1973NONE
Atlanta Chiefs1968-19721968
Atlanta Chiefs1979-1981NONE
Baltimore Bays1968-1969NONE
Baltimore Comets1974-1975NONE
Boston Beacons1968NONE
Boston Minutemen1974-1976NONE
Calgary Boomers
1981NONE
Californis Surf1978-1981NONE
Caribous of Colorado1978NONE
Chicago Mustangs1968NONE
Chicago Sting1975-19841981, 1984
Cleveland Stokers1968NONE
Connecticut Bicentennials1977NONE
Dallas Tornado1968-19811971
Denver Dynamos1974-1975NONE
Detroit Cougars1968NONE
Detroit Express1978-1981NONE
Edmonton Drillers1979-1982NONEIndoor only, 1981
Ft. Lauderdale Strikers1977-1983NONE
Golden Bay Earthquakes1983-1984NONE
Hartford Bicentennials1975-1976NONE
Houtson Hurricane1978-1980NONE
Houtson Stars1968NONE
Jacksonville Tea Men1980-1982NONE
Kansas City Spurs1968-19701969
Las Vegas Quicksilvers1977NONE
Los Angeles Aztecs1974-19811974
Los Angeles Wolves1968NONE
Memphis Rogues1978-1980NONE
Miami Gatos1972NONE
Miami Toros1973-1976NONE
Minnesota Kicks1976-1981NONE
Minnesota Strikers1984NONE
Montreal Manic1981-1983NONE
Montreal Olympique1971-1973NONE
New England Tea Men1978-1980NONE
New York Cosmos1971-19851972, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982
New York Generals1968NONE
Oakland Clippers1968NONE
Oakland Stompers1978NONE
Philadelphia Atoms1973-19761973
Philadelphia Fury1978-1980NONE
Portland Timbers1975-1982NONE
Rochester Lancers1970-19801970
St. Louis Stars1968-1977NONE
San Antonio Thunder1975-1976NONE
San Diego Jaws1976NONE
San Diego Sockers1978-19841982 (Indoor), 1984 (Outdoor)
San Diego Toros1968NONE
San Jose Earthquakes1974-1982NONE
Seattle Sounders1974-1983NONE
Tampa Bay Rowdies1975-19841975 (Outdoor), 1980 (Indoor)
Team America1983NONE
Team Hawaii1977NONE
Toronto Blizzard1979-1984NONE
Toronto Falcons1968NONE
Toronto Metros1971-1974NONE
Toronto Metros-Croatia1975-19781976
Tulsa Roughnecks1978-19841983
Vancouver Royals1968NONE
Vancouver Whitecaps1974-19841979
Washington Darts1970-1971NONE
Washington Diplomats1974-1981NONE
Washington Whips1968NONE

North American Soccer League Shop

Editor's Pick

Rock n' Roll Soccer

The Short Life and Fast Times of the North American Soccer League

by Ian Plenderleith

The North American Soccer League – at its peak in the late 1970s – presented soccer as performance, played by men with a bent for flair, hair and glamour. More than just Pelé and the New York Cosmos, it lured the biggest names of the world game like Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, Gerd Müller and George Best to play the sport as it was meant to be played-without inhibition, to please the fans.

The first complete look at the ambitious, star-studded NASL, Rock ‘n’ Roll Soccer reveals how this precursor to modern soccer laid the foundations for the sport’s tremendous popularity in America today. 

 

When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

 

 

 

Downloads

9-3-1982 “Top NASL Players at Each Position Named” Press Release

9-3-1982 - Top NASL Players at Each Position Named Press Release

 

1983 “NASL Goes Year-Round With Indoor and Outdoor Soccer” Press Release 

 

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Comments

4 Responses

  1. I’m trying to find out more about Ronnie sharp who was my dad.i never met the man hence wanting to know more.

    1. Ronnie Sharp (born 30 January 1948) is a former professional footballer who played in the North American Soccer League and Mexican Primera División.

      Career
      Born in Scotland, Sharp began his football career with junior side Glenrothes. The Winger played part-time with Scottish Second Division side Cowdenbeath from 1968 to 1973.[1] Miami Toros’ coach John Young scouted Sharp on a trip to Scotland, and he joined the NASL club in 1973.[2] During the off-season, Sharp and teammates Warren Archibald and Steve David joined Mexican side San Luis for five weeks of the 1973–74 Mexican Primera División season.[3]

      Sharp returned to the Miami Toros for three more seasons before finishing his career with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 1977.[4] He was named to the 1975 NASL All-Star team.[5]

      Sharp owned the Fort Lauderdale Sun of the United Soccer League in 1984, but was forced to sell the team shortly after winning the USL championship, because of his involvement in a Texas marijuana smuggling operation.[6][7] In September 1984 he testified as a witness for the U.S. government, as part of a plea deal. Sworn testimony indicated that Sharp was more likely a middle-man than an active participant in the operation.[8]

  2. I acquired at an estate sale last night a 1983 Ft Lauderdale Strikers Media Guide. I believe the clubs last year in Ft. Lauderdale under the NASL. It is in good shape. I was wondering what it might be worth. Any ideas or whom I could contact to find out. No comps on ebay. Thanks

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