Tombstone
Formed: 1968
Disbanded: March 28, 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
- 1968: Dick Walsh
- 1971 – June 1983: Phil Woosnam (Deceased 2013 – New York Times Obituary)
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
Logo T-Shirt
Pay home to the late, great North American Soccer League (1968-1984) with this great distressed logo tee from our friends at Cincinnati’s Old School Shirts!.
This design is available now in sizes Small through 4XL.
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North American Soccer League Franchise List
| Franchise | Years Active | NASL Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Apollos | 1973 | None |
| Atlanta Chiefs | 1968-1972 | 1968 |
| Atlanta Chiefs | 1979-1981 | None |
| Baltimore Bays | 1968-1969 | None |
| Baltimore Comets | 1974-1975 | None |
| Boston Beacons | 1968 | None |
| Boston Minutemen | 1974-1976 | None |
| Calgary Boomers | 1981 | None |
| California Surf | 1978-1981 | None |
| Caribous of Colorado | 1978 | None |
| Chicago Mustangs | 1968 | None |
| Chicago Sting | 1975-1984 | 1981-1984 |
| Cleveland Stokers | 1968 | None |
| Connecticut Bicentennials | 1977 | None |
| Dallas Tornado | 1968-1981 | 1971 |
| Denver Dynamos | 1974-1975 | None |
| Detroit Cougars | 1968 | None |
| Detroit Express | 1978-1981 | None |
| Edmonton Drillers | 1979-1982 | 1981 (Indoor) |
| Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 1977-1983 | None |
| Golden Bay Earthquakes | 1983-1984 | None |
| Hartford Bicentennials | 1975-1976 | None |
| Houston Hurricane | 1978-1980 | None |
| Houston Stars | 1968 | None |
| Jacksonville Tea Men | 1980-1982 | None |
| Kansas City Spurs | 1968-1970 | 1969 |
| Las Vegas Quicksilvers | 1977 | None |
| Los Angeles Aztecs | 1974-1981 | 1974 |
| Los Angeles Wolves | 1968 | None |
| Memphis Rogues | 1978-1980 | None |
| Miami Gatos | 1972 | None |
| Miami Toros | 1973-1976 | None |
| Minnesota Kicks | 1976-1981 | None |
| Minnesota Strikers | 1984 | None |
| Montreal Manic | 1981-1983 | None |
| Montreal Olympique | 1971-1973 | None |
| New England Tea Men | 1978-1980 | None |
| New York Cosmos | 1971-1985 | 1972-1977-1978-1980-1982 |
| New York Generals | 1968 | None |
| Oakland Clippers | 1968 | None |
| Oakland Stompers | 1978 | None |
| Philadelphia Atoms | 1973-1976 | 1973 |
| Philadelphia Fury | 1978-1980 | None |
| Portland Timbers | 1975-1982 | None |
| Rochester Lancers | 1970-1980 | 1970 |
| St. Louis Stars | 1968-1977 | None |
| San Antonio Thunder | 1975-1976 | None |
| San Diego Jaws | 1976 | None |
| San Diego Sockers | 1978-1984 | 1982 (Indoor)-1984 (Indoor) |
| San Diego Toros | 1968 | None |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 1974-1982 | None |
| Seattle Sounders | 1974-1983 | None |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | 1975-1984 | 1975 (Outdoor)-1980 (Indoor) |
| Team America | 1983 | None |
| Team Hawaii | 1977 | None |
| Toronto Blizzard | 1979-1984 | None |
| Toronto Falcons | 1968 | None |
| Toronto Metros | 1971-1974 | None |
| Toronto Metros-Croatia | 1975-1978 | 1976 |
| Tulsa Roughnecks | 1978-1984 | 1983 |
| Vancouver Royals | 1968 | None |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 1974-1984 | 1979 |
| Washington Darts | 1970-1971 | None |
| Washington Diplomats | 1974-1981 | None |
| Washington Whips | 1968 | None |
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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4 Responses
I’m trying to find out more about Ronnie sharp who was my dad.i never met the man hence wanting to know more.
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]
I’m sure he never thought to look at Wikipedia, so, well done.
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