So grim was the state of professional outdoor soccer in the United States in 1985 that only 13 games were staged by American pro clubs that calendar year. All of these matches were put on by the United Soccer League (USL), a barely solvent gaggle of four teams spread across Florida, Texas and Oklahoma that folded after only one month of competition. The Tornado’s – the team’s nonsensical apostrophe is not a typo – were one of the USL’s many trouble spots.
Continental Basketball Association (1985-1986) Born: June 28, 1985 – CBA expansion franchise Moved: May 14, 1986 (Topeka Sizzlers) First Game: December 7, 1985 (L 113-108
New Haven’s long-time American Hockey League franchise, the Nighthawks, took on a new identity during the summer of 1992 after signing an agreement to be the top farm club for the NHL’s new expansion club, the Ottawa Senators. But all was not well in New Haven, despite the honeymoon phase of a new relationship.
American Hockey League (1979-1980) Born: March 12, 1974 – The Jacksonville Barons announce they will relocate to Syracuse, NY Folded: Summer 1975 First Game: October 10,
The tiny town of Red Springs, North Carolina hosted this Class A farm team of the Minnesota Twins during the summer of 1969. Red Springs (pop. 3,383 in the 1970 Census) was the smallest community in the United States to host its own pro baseball team that summer. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Red Springs lasted just that one season in the Carolina League, earning a place in our One-Year Wonders file.
*Like our new look? Next up: site speed. You can help with a tip for our Speed Fund today. Thank you!
