 | |
| Sport | indoor soccer |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| First season | 1978–79 |
| Ceased | 1992 |
| No. of teams | high of 14 |
| Country | United States |
| Last champion(s) | San Diego Sockers |
| Most titles | San Diego Sockers (8 titles) |
TheMajor Indoor Soccer League (MISL), known in its final two seasons as theMajor Soccer League, was anindoor soccer league in the United States that played matches from fall 1978 to spring 1992.
The MISL was founded by businessmen Ed Tepper andEarl Foreman in October 1977.
The league fielded six teams for its inaugural1978–79 season. Before folding after 14 seasons of competition, at the conclusion of the1991–92 season, a total of 24 franchises – under 31 team names (seven teams changed city/name) – had played in the MISL.
Over its life, MISL teams were based in 27 different cities – with two different teams, at different times, playing inCleveland, Ohio;East Rutherford, New Jersey;St. Louis, Missouri; andUniondale, New York.
TheHouston Summit (1978–80)/Baltimore Blast (1980–92) franchise was the only one to compete for the entire 14 seasons of the MISL's existence. The next longest-lived franchise, and the longest in a single city, was theWichita Wings team, which played for 13 seasons and missed only the inaugural 1978–79 season. The third longest-lived franchise was theDetroit Lightning (1979–80)/San Francisco Fog (1980–81)/Kansas City Comets (1981–91) franchise, which played for 12 seasons, missing only the first and last seasons.
TheSan Diego Sockers was the most successful franchise, winning eight of the MISL's 14 overall championships during the team's nine seasons in the league. TheNew York Arrows won the MISL's first four championships, then folded after the league's sixth season.
The most successful player in the MISL is arguablySteve Zungul, aYugoslav Americanstriker who was MISL Most Valuable Player six times, was the Scoring Champion six times, the Pass Master (most assists) four times, played on eight championship-winning teams (and one runner-up), and won Championship Series Most Valuable Player four times. Zungul is the MISL's all-time leader in goals (652, nearly 200 ahead of the second highest scorer), assists (471, nearly 100 ahead of second) and points (1,123, nearly 300 ahead of second).
Despite ongoing financial hardships, the MISL had some success.[1] The league averaged a respectable 7,644 fans per game over its 14 regular seasons, and averaged 9,049 fans per game over its 14 playoff runs.
The league changed its name to the Major Soccer League (MSL) in 1990, and then folded in 1992. Four of the league's seven franchises continued to operate:Cleveland Crunch and Wichita Wings joined theNational Professional Soccer League;Dallas Sidekicks and San Diego Sockers helped found theContinental Indoor Soccer League.
The concept was initially so popular that in 1981, it helped pave the way for the creation of another indoor sports league, theArena Football League, and subsequently the entire sport of indoor "gridiron" football. During the MISL All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden,National Football League promotions directorJim Foster sketched a design of what a football field would look like on the back of a 9x12 manila envelope.[2] That inspiration gave birth to the concept now known asarena football (alsoindoor football) and the AFL was born six years later. Foster credits the MISL for the inspiration.[1][3][4]
*ThreeNorth American Soccer League (NASL) teams temporarily joined the MISL for the 1982–83 season, as the NASL did not play indoors for that season. As the NASL was folding in 1985, four of its former teams (Chicago, Minnesota, New York and San Diego) joined the MISL in late 1984.
The "Denver Avalanche" had declared bankruptcy and ceased operations after the 1981–82 season, but the franchise still existed and was purchased out of bankruptcy and moved to Tacoma after a dormant season. The MISL, however, considered the Stars a new franchise and, thus, team records did not transfer to Tacoma.
In June 1987, the MISL granted a conditional franchise toNBA Denver Nuggets ownerSidney Shlenker, to commence play in the 1988–89 season.[5] When the tentative "Denver Desperados" attracted deposits on 400 season tickets, rather than the required 5,000 within four months, the franchise was revoked in November 1987.[6]
| Year | Average | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| 1978–79 | 4,453 | 4,766 |
| 1979–80 | 6,102 | 6,691 |
| 1980–81 | 6,839 | 10,740 |
| 1981–82 | 8,735 | 8,848 |
| 1982–83 | 7,895 | 11,536 |
| 1983–84 | 8,868 | 10,252 |
| 1984–85 | 8,696 | 8,511 |
| 1985–86 | 8,680 | 11,983 |
| 1986–87 | 8,714 | 12,514 |
| 1987–88 | 8,439 | 7,771 |
| 1988–89 | 7,765 | 7,557 |
| 1989–90 | 7,765 | 6,584 |
| 1990–91 | 6,566 | 7,264 |
| 1991–92 | 7,844 | 6,825 |
| Overall | 7,644 | 9,049 |
*Single-game championship, game score rather than series results.
| Club | Winner | Runner-Up | Seasons Won | Seasons Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Sockers | 8 | 0 | 1982–83,1984–85,1985–86,1987–88,1988–89,1989–90,1990–91,1991–92 | – |
| New York Arrows | 4 | 0 | 1978–79,1979–80,1980–81,1981–82 | – |
| Baltimore Blast | 1 | 5 | 1983–84 | 1979–80 (asHouston Summit),1982–83,1984–85,1988–89,1989–90 |
| Dallas Sidekicks | 1 | 1 | 1986–87 | 1991–92 |
| St. Louis Steamers | 0 | 3 | – | 1980–81,1981–82,1983–84 |
| Philadelphia Fever | 0 | 1 | – | 1978–79 |
| Minnesota Strikers | 0 | 1 | – | 1985–86 |
| Tacoma Stars | 0 | 1 | – | 1986–87 |
| Cleveland Force | 0 | 1 | – | 1987–88 |
| Cleveland Crunch | 0 | 1 | – | 1990–91 |
Steve Zungul (New York Arrows, Golden Bay Earthquakes, San Diego Sockers, Tacoma Stars)
Branko Šegota (New York Arrows, San Diego Sockers, St.Louis Storm)
Tatu (Dallas Sidekicks)Dale Mitchell (Tacoma Stars, Kansas City Comets, Baltimore Blast)
Kai Haaskivi (Houston Summit, Cleveland Force, Baltimore Blast, Cleveland Crunch)
Jan Goossens (Golden Bay Earthquakes, Minnesota Strikers, Kansas City Comets, Dallas Sidekicks)Preki (Tacoma Stars, St. Louis Storm)
Chico Borja (Las Vegas Americans, Wichita Wings, Los Angeles Lazers)Fred Grgurev (Philadelphia Fever, New York Arrows, New Jersey Rockets, Memphis/Las Vegas Americans, Pittsburgh Spirit, New York Express)Stan Stamenkovic (Memphis Americans, Baltimore Blast) Steve Zungul (New York Arrows, Golden Bay Earthquakes, San Diego Sockers, Tacoma Stars) Branko Šegota (New York Arrows, San Diego Sockers, St. Louis Storm) Tatu (Dallas Sidekicks) Dale Mitchell (Tacoma Stars, Kansas City Comets, Baltimore Blast) Jan Goossens (Golden Bay Earthquakes, Minnesota Strikers, Kansas City Comets, Dallas Sidekicks) Preki (Tacoma Stars, St. Louis Storm) Fred Grgurev (Philadelphia Fever, New York Arrows, New Jersey Rockets, Memphis/Las Vegas Americans, Pittsburgh Spirit, New York Express)
Andy Chapman (Wichita Wings, Cleveland Force, Baltimore Blast)
Craig Allen (New Jersey Rockets, Cleveland Force) Kai Haaskivi (Houston Summit, Cleveland Force, Baltimore Blast, Cleveland Crunch) Steve Zungul (New York Arrows, Golden Bay Earthquakes, San Diego Sockers, Tacoma Stars) Kai Haaskivi (Houston Summit, Cleveland Force, Baltimore Blast, Cleveland Crunch) Branko Šegota (New York Arrows, San Diego Sockers, St. Louis Storm) Chico Borja (New York Cosmos, Las Vegas Americans, Wichita Wings, Los Angeles Lazers) Jan Goossens (Golden Bay Earthquakes, Minnesota Strikers, Kansas City Comets, Dallas Sidekicks) Preki (Tacoma Stars, St. Louis Storm) Stan Stamenkovic (Memphis Americans, Baltimore Blast) Tatu (Dallas Sidekicks) Dale Mitchell (Tacoma Stars, Kansas City Comets, Baltimore Blast)
Jorgen Kristensen (Wichita Wings, Kansas City Comets)(9,500 minutes minimum)
Zoltán Tóth (New York Arrows, San Diego Sockers, St. Louis Storm)Tino Lettieri (Minnesota Strikers)
Krzysztof Sobieski (Pittsburgh Spirit, Cleveland Force, Dallas Sidekicks)
Victor Nogueira (Chicago Sting, Cleveland Force, San Diego Sockers)David Brcic (New York Cosmos, Wichita Wings, Pittsburgh Spirit, Los Angeles Lazers, Kansas City Comets, St. Louis Storm)Slobo Ilijevski (St. Louis Steamers, Baltimore Blast, St. Louis Storm)P.J. Johns (Cleveland Force, Tacoma Stars, Cleveland Crunch)Jim Gorsek (San Diego Sockers, Los Angeles Lazers, Kansas City Comets, St. Louis Storm)Joe Papaleo (Pittsburgh Spirit, Tacoma Stars, Dallas Sidekicks)Keith Van Eron (Cincinnati Kids, Wichita Wings, Philadelphia Fever, Baltimore Blast, Las Vegas Americans)| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978–79 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1979–80 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1980–81 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1981–82 | Steve Zungul, New York and Stan Terlecki, Pittsburgh |
| 1982–83 | Alan Mayer, San Diego |
| 1983–84 | Stan Stamenkovic, Baltimore |
| 1984–85 | Steve Zungul, San Diego |
| 1985–86 | Steve Zungul, San Diego |
| 1986–87 | Tatu, Dallas |
| 1987–88 | Erik Rasmussen, Wichita |
| 1988–89 | Preki, Tacoma |
| 1989–90 | Tatu, Dallas |
| 1990–91 | Victor Nogueira, San Diego |
| 1991–92 | Victor Nogueira, San Diego |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978–79 | Fred Grgurev, Philadelphia |
| 1979–80 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1980–81 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1981–82 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1982–83 | Steve Zungul, New York/Golden Bay |
| 1983–84 | Stan Stamenkovic, Baltimore |
| 1984–85 | Steve Zungul, San Diego |
| 1985–86 | Steve Zungul, San Diego/Tacoma |
| 1986–87 | Tatu, Dallas |
| 1987–88 | Erik Rasmussen, Wichita |
| 1988–89 | Preki, Tacoma |
| 1989–90 | Tatu, Dallas |
| 1990–91 | Tatu, Dallas |
| 1991–92 | Zoran Karic, Cleveland |
The Pass Master award was given out to the player with the mostassists during the regular season.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978–79 | Fred Grgurev, Philadelphia |
| 1979–80 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1980–81 | Jorgen Kristiansen, Wichita |
| 1981–82 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1982–83 | Stan Stamenkovic, Memphis |
| 1983–84 | Stan Stamenkovic, Baltimore |
| 1984–85 | Steve Zungul, San Diego |
| 1985–86 | Steve Zungul, San Diego/Tacoma |
| 1986–87 | Kai Haaskivi, Cleveland |
| 1987–88 | Preki, Tacoma |
| 1988–89 | Preki, Tacoma and Chico Borja, Wichita |
| 1989–90 | Jan Goossens, Kansas City |
| 1990–91 | Tatu, Dallas |
| 1991–92 | Zoran Karic, Cleveland |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1981–82 | Val Tuksa, New York |
| 1982–83 | Bernie James, Cleveland |
| 1983–84 | Kim Roentved, Wichita |
| 1984–85 | Kevin Crow, San Diego |
| 1985–86 | Kim Roentved, Wichita |
| 1986–87 | Bruce Savage, Baltimore |
| 1987–88 | Kevin Crow, San Diego |
| 1988–89 | Kevin Crow, San Diego |
| 1989–90 | Wes McLeod, Dallas |
| 1990–91 | Kevin Crow, San Diego |
| 1991–92 | Kevin Crow, San Diego |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978–79 | Paul Hammond, Houston |
| 1979–80 | Sepp Gantenhammer, Houston |
| 1980–81 | Enzo Di Pede, Chicago |
| 1981–82 | Slobo Ilijevski, St. Louis |
| 1982–83 | Zoltán Tóth, New York |
| 1983–84 | Slobo Ilijevski, St. Louis |
| 1984–85 | Scott Manning, Baltimore |
| 1985–86 | Keith Van Eron, Baltimore |
| 1986–87 | Tino Lettieri, Minnesota |
| 1987–88 | Zoltán Tóth, San Diego |
| 1988–89 | Victor Nogueira, San Diego |
| 1989–90 | Joe Papaleo, Dallas |
| 1990–91 | Victor Nogueira, San Diego |
| 1991–92 | Victor Nogueira, San Diego |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1979–80 | Jim Sinclair, Buffalo |
| 1980–81 | Don Ebert, St. Louis |
| 1981–82 | Germain Iglesias, Buffalo |
| 1982–83 | Kirk Shermer, Los Angeles |
| 1983–84 | Kevin Maher, Pittsburgh |
| 1984–85 | Ali Kazemaini, Cleveland |
| 1985–86 | Dave Boncek, Kansas City |
| 1986–87 | John Stollmeyer, Cleveland |
| 1987–88 | David Doyle, Kansas City |
| 1988–89 | Rusty Troy, Baltimore |
| 1989–90 | Terry Brown, St. Louis |
| 1990–91 | David Banks, San Diego |
| 1991–92 | Tommy Tanner, Cleveland |
This award was given to 'the most outstanding player in his first year of competition in the Major Indoor Soccer League'[7] in order to differentiate it from the Rookie of the Year award.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1986–87 | Steve Kinsey, Minnesota |
| 1987–88 | Nenad "Ziggy" Zigante, Wichita |
| 1988–89 | Domenic Mobilio, Baltimore |
| 1989–90 | Claudio DeOliviera, St. Louis |
| 1990–91 | Paul Peschisolido, Kansas City |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978–79 | Timo Liekoski, Houston |
| 1979–80 | Len Bilous, Pittsburgh and Pat McBride, St. Louis |
| 1980–81 | Don Popovic, New York |
| 1981–82 | Dave Clements, Denver |
| 1982–83 | Pat McBride, Kansas City |
| 1983–84 | Kenny Cooper, Baltimore |
| 1984–85 | Peter Wall, Los Angeles |
| 1985–86 | Gordon Jago, Dallas |
| 1986–87 | Dave Clements, Kansas City |
| 1987–88 | Ron Newman, San Diego |
| 1988–89 | Kenny Cooper, Baltimore |
| 1989–90 | Billy Phillips, Dallas |
| 1990–91 | Trevor Dawkins, Cleveland |
| 1991–92 | Gordon Jago, Dallas |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1978–79 | Shep Messing, New York |
| 1979–80 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1980–81 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1981–82 | Steve Zungul, New York |
| 1982–83 | Juli Veee, San Diego |
| 1983–84 | Scott Manning, Baltimore |
| 1984–85 | Steve Zungul, San Diego |
| 1985–86 | Brian Quinn, San Diego |
| 1986–87 | Tatu, Dallas |
| 1987–88 | Hugo Perez, San Diego |
| 1988–89 | Victor Nogueira, San Diego |
| 1989–90 | Brian Quinn, San Diego |
| 1990–91 | Ben Collins, San Diego |
| 1991–92 | Thompson Usiyan, San Diego |
This award was given to the player 'in the Championship Series whose impact to his team's success was measured by hustle, determination and leadership.'[8]
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1987–88 | George Fernandez, San Diego |
| 1988–89 | Paul Dougherty, San Diego |
| 1989–90 | Paul Wright, San Diego |
| 1990–91 | Glenn Carbonara, San Diego |
| 1991–92 | Kevin Crow, San Diego |
 | This list of "famous" or "notable" peoplehas no clearinclusion orexclusion criteria. Please helpimprove this article by defining clear inclusion criteria to contain only subjects that fit those criteria.(September 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Ralph BlackChico BorjaAndy ChapmanPaul Child
Fernando ClavijoDan CounceKevin Crow
Steve DavidRick DavisEnzo Di PedeDaryl DoranDon EbertPat Ercoli
Andranik EskandarianJoey FinkJan Goossens
Karl-Heinz Granitza
Gerry GrayFred GrgurevKai HaaskiviSlobo IlijevskiTommy Jenkins
Erhardt Kapp
Zoran Karić
Michael KingJorgen KristensenMickey Kydes
Doc Lawson
Tino LettieriMark LivericDave MacWilliamsScott Manning
Pato MargeticHector MarinaroAlan MayerWes McLeodDale Mitchell
George NanchoffVictor NogueiraSteve Pecher
Hugo PerezLjupko PetrovićPrekiErik RasmussenKim RoentvedCarl RoseBruce SavageBranko ŠegotaStan StamenkovicJohn StremlauMike SweeneyTatuStan TerleckiZoltán Tóth
Thompson UsiyanCarl ValentineJuli VeeePeter WardJean WillrichSteve ZungulThe MISL made inroads on national television in1982–83. While the spring would see the end of the league's two-year deal with theUSA Network, CBS would broadcast a playoff game live from Cleveland on May 7 that drew an estimated four million viewers. One game during the1983–84 season was televised on CBS (Game 3 of the championship series on June 2) as well.
1984–85 would be the final year the MISL would have games aired on network television, CBS broadcast Game 4 of the championship series live on May 25.[9]
