 NASL logo (1975–1984)[1] | |
| Founded | December 7, 1967; 57 years ago (1967-12-07)[2] |
|---|---|
| Folded | March 28, 1985; 40 years ago (1985-03-28) |
| Country | United States |
| Other club(s) from | Canada |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of clubs | 24 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Promotion to | None |
| Relegation to | None |
| Last champions | Chicago Sting (1984) |
| Most championships | New York Cosmos (5 titles) |
TheNorth American Soccer League (NASL) was the top-level major professionalsoccer league in theUnited States andCanada that operated from1968 to1984. It is considered the first soccer league to be successful on a national scale in the United States. The league final was called theSoccer Bowl from1975 to1983 and the Soccer Bowl Series in its final year,1984. The league was headed by CommissionerPhil Woosnam from 1969 to 1983. The NASL laid the foundations for soccer in the United States that helped lead to the country hosting the1994 FIFA World Cup and setting upMajor League Soccer (MLS) in 1996.[3]
The United States did not have a truly national top-flight league until theFIFA-sanctionedUnited Soccer Association (USA) and theNational Professional Soccer League (NPSL), which had operated separately for one season in 1967, merged in December 1967 to form the NASL. The NASL considered the two pre-merge forerunner leagues as part of its history.
The league's popularity peaked in the late 1970s. The league averaged over 13,000 fans per game in each season from 1977 to 1983, and the league's matches were broadcast on network television from 1975 to 1980.[4]The league's most prominent team was theNew York Cosmos. During the mid-to-late 1970s, the Cosmos signed a number of the world's best players —Pelé,Franz Beckenbauer,Carlos Alberto— and the Cosmos averaged over 28,000 fans per game for each season from 1977 to 1982 while having three seasons of the average attendance topping 40,000 spectators per game. Other internationally well-known players in the league includedGiorgio Chinaglia,Johan Cruyff,Johan Neeskens,Gerd Müller,Bobby Moore,Eusébio, andGeorge Best. However, over-expansion, theeconomic recession of the early 1980s, and disputes with the players union ultimately led to the collapse of the NASL following the 1984 season. Also,FIFA's decision to award the hosting of the1986 FIFA World Cup to Mexico afterColombia withdrew, rather than the U.S., is considered a factor in the NASL's demise. Former New York Cosmos presidentClive Toye called the league "a magnificent success that eventually failed as a single entity. But, what it left behind is a knowledge of the game that didn't even existed (sic) in this country before and enthusiasm for the game which never existed before."[3]
The league additionally sanctionedindoor soccer in varioustournament and season formats between 1971 and 1984.
The surprisingly large North American TV audience of over 1 million for the1966 FIFA World Cup and the resultingdocumentary film,Goal!, led American sports investors to believe there was an untapped market for the sport in the U.S. and Canada. In 1967, two professional soccer leagues started in the United States: theFIFA-sanctionedUnited Soccer Association (USA), which consisted of entire European and South American teams brought to the U.S. and given local names, and the unsanctionedNational Professional Soccer League (NPSL). The NPSL did not receive sanctioning by theUSSFA, as it refused to pay the $25,000 fee, was branded an outlawed entity by FIFA, and players faced penalties for signing with it.[6] While the USA had FIFA sanction, the foreign teams that were rebranded with American names for the summer 1967 season viewed the league as little more than a training exercise for their off-season, and most did not field their best players. The NPSL had a two-year national television contract in the U.S. with theCBS television network. Officials were instructed to whistle fouls and delay play to allow CBS to insert commercials.[4] The ratings for matches were unacceptable even by weekend daytime standards and the arrangement with CBS was soon terminated.Bill MacPhail, head ofCBS Sports, attributed NPSL's lack of TV appeal to empty stadiums with few fans, and to undistinguished foreign players who were unfamiliar to American soccer fans.[7]
The two leagues merged on December 7, 1967, to form the North American Soccer League (NASL). NASL began the1968 season with 17 of the 22 teams that had participated during the 1967 season, folding five redundant teams in cities where both USA and NPSL had operated. The teams relied mostly on foreign talent, including the BrazilianVavá, one of the leading scorers of the1958 and1962 World Cups. International friendlies included victories against Pelé'sSantos and against English championsManchester City.[8]
Though the league had a few successes, it experienced significant problems gaining acceptance in the American sports community. The 17 teams included only 30 North American players.[8] The expenses of high salaries for foreign players and renting of large stadiums, coupled with low attendances, resulted in every team losing money in 1968, and investors quickly pulled the plug after their year's commitment ended.[8] At the end of the year, CBS pulled its TV contract, and all but five of the teams folded. The league moved its offices to a basement ofAtlanta–Fulton County Stadium, and at the end of the sixteen-game 1969 season, the league declared Kansas City the league champions on the basis of most points in the round-robin, and theBaltimore Bays announced they would fold. It appeared top-tier professional soccer would not survive in North America.
Desperate to keep the league afloat, the league approached twoAmerican Soccer League teams, theRochester Lancers and theWashington Darts about transferring to the NASL. Despite coming from the ASL (which had a nearly 40-year history as a semi-pro league), the two teams were immediately the most successful, and won their respective divisions. Rochester beat Washington in a two-game final, and the league survived.
In1971, NASL added three teams—theNew York Cosmos,Montreal Olympique, and theToronto Metros—each of which paid a $25,000 expansion fee.[9] TheDallas Tornado won the title after a number of multiple overtime playoff games, including a 173-minute marathon against Rochester.
Realizing it needed to sell to North Americans the sport of soccer, which was still foreign to most people, the NASL modified its game rules in an attempt to make its product more exciting, and comprehensible, to the average sports fan. These changes included the following:
The NASL of the early 1970s was, to a large extent, asemi-pro league, with many of the players holding other jobs.
On September 3, 1973,Sports Illustrated featured a soccer player on its cover for the first time –Philadelphia Atoms goalkeeperBob Rigby.[14] SI profiled the Philadelphia Atoms' victory in theNASL championship, the first time an American expansion sports team won a title in its first season.[14] Philadelphia averaged 11,500 fans in1973, the first time since 1967 that any North American professional soccer team had averaged over 10,000 fans.[15] The cover title declared "Soccer Goes American", as Philadelphia had started six Americans in the championship match. Despite the "Soccer Goes American" title, however, in no season after 1974 did any American player win the MVP award or finish as league top scorer, as the mid-1970s saw an influx of foreign talent.SI predicted continued success for the Philadelphia Atoms, but the Atoms dissolved in 1976.[14]
NASL's average attendance had grown steadily from a low of 2,930 in 1969 to 7,770 in 1974, and by 1974 four teams were averaging over 10,000 attendance.[15] The1974 NASL Championship game between theLos Angeles Aztecs and theMiami Toros was televised live on CBS, the first national broadcast of a pro soccer match in the United States since 1968.[16]
The1974 and1975 seasons saw rapid expansion for NASL. In 1974, eight new teams paid the $75,000 franchise fee (equivalent to $361,000 in 2023) and joined the league, although two existing teams folded.[17] The 1974 expansion saw teams on the west coast, giving NASL a national presence for the first time. The west coast expansion was a success, with three of the teams –San Jose,Seattle andVancouver – averaging over 10,000 fans in 1974.[17] In 1975, five more franchises were added. Two of these five additions –Chicago andHartford – were in cities that had successful franchises in Division IIAmerican Soccer League, which at the time saw itself as a potential challenger to NASL as the U.S.'s top professional soccer league.[18] The expansions of 1974 and 1975 meant that NASL had grown from 9 teams in 1973 to 20 teams by 1975.
The 1975 season saw the signing of internationally known players, including Portuguese starEusébio toBoston,[18] and former England goalkeeperPeter Bonetti toSt. Louis.
In 1975, theNew York Cosmos created a media sensation and overnight transformed the fortunes ofsoccer in the United States by signingPelé. From the moment he signed his contract at the21 Club on June 10, 1975, in front of a crush of ecstatic worldwide media, Pelé's every move was followed, bringing attention and credibility to soccer in America. The Cosmos' home attendance tripled in just half the season Pelé was there, and on the road the Cosmos also played in front of huge crowds that came to watch Pelé play.
Pelé's arrival resulted in greater TV exposure for the Cosmos and for the league overall. Ten million people tuned in to watch CBS' live broadcast of Pelé's debut match—a record American TV audience for soccer—with the Cosmos on June 15, 1975, against theDallas Tornado atDowning Stadium in New York.[4][7] CBS also televised another Cosmos match plus the1975 Soccer Bowl championship match, and in 1976ABC signed a contract to broadcast matches during the1976 season.[4][7] By 1976, NASL was being picked up by the mainstream media, with the sports pages of newspapers covering the league.[7] The NASL was shown on theTVS network (a syndicated television service) during1977 and1978, although some games were tape delayed or not carried in certain markets.[4]
The biggest club in the league and the organization's bellwether was the Cosmos, who drew upwards of 40,000 fans per game at their height, during the period that older soccer superstars, like Pelé of Brazil andFranz Beckenbauer of Germany, played for the club. Although both well past their prime by this stage of their careers, the two were considered to have previously been the best attacking/offensive (Pelé) and defensive (Beckenbauer) players in the world.
Giants Stadium sold out (73,000+) their1978 Soccer Bowl win. However, the overall average attendance of the entire league never reached 15,000, with some clubs averaging less than 5,000.[citation needed]
TheLos Angeles Aztecs signedManchester United starGeorge Best in 1976. NASL had been trying to persuade Best to move to America and place him in a major media market, but once the New York Cosmos had signed Pelé, Los Angeles was the logical placement for Best.[19] Best was traded to theFort Lauderdale Strikers (a club based in theMiami area) in 1978, and in 1979 Los Angeles signed its next big star,Johan Cruyff.[19] Cruyff was an instant success, doubling the team's attendance, and winning the league's MVP award.[20]L.A. also brought in a new head coach from 1979 to 1980,Rinus Michels, who had coachedAjax Amsterdam,Barcelona, and theDutch national team, the man credited with the invention of the Dutch playing style of "Total Football" in the 1970s.[21]
TheMinnesota Kicks were established in 1976 and quickly became one of the league's more popular teams, drawing an average attendance of 23,120 fans per game in 1976 to theMetropolitan Stadium in a Minneapolis-Saint Paul suburb.[22] The Kicks won their division four years in a row from 1976 to 1979, drawing over 23,000 fans in each of those four seasons (peaking at 32,775 in 1977).
After L.A., Cruyff then moved on to theWashington Diplomats.[23] The Washington Diplomats had been purchased by Madison Square Garden Corp. and its chairmanSonny Werblin in October 1978. Cruyff's presence was a huge boost, as wasWim Jansen, a midfielder who had played for the Netherlands at the1974 and1978 World Cups. For the 1980 season, the Diplomats attendance was 19,205 spectators per match.[24]
Despite NASL's apparent success, of NASL's 18 teams in 1977, six were considered franchises that needed to be relocated, bought out, or folded.[25] A planning committee of owners issued a report recommending that NASL strengthen its existing teams, and limit expansion to two franchises for 1978, with one additional franchise per year for the following years.[26] Despite this recommendation, NASL brought in six new teams at $3 million per team, raising the league's teams from 18 to 24 for the1978 season.
San Diego Sockers President Jack Daley later described NASL's boom years of the late 1970s: "It became fashionable to chase the Cosmos. Everyone had to have a Pelé. Coaches went around the world on talent searches, forcing the prices up."[27]ThePortland Timbers tripled their team payroll from 1979 to 1980 in an effort to keep up with the league average.[20]
The league began a college draft in 1972 in an attempt to increase the number of U.S.- and Canadian-born players in the league. The foreign image of soccer was not helped, however, by a league that brought in many older, high-profile foreign players, and frequently left Americans on the bench. This effort was often doubly futile, as while many of the foreign players were perhaps "big names" in their home countries, almost none of them qualified as such in North America, and they quickly absorbed most of the available payroll, such as it was, which could have otherwise been used to pay North American players better. After the1977 season, the team owners voted to mandate an increase in the number of North American players by limiting the number of non-North American players a team was permitted to have on the field at one time and reducing the total of non-citizens on a club's rosters to a total of 11 by 1984.[28] As of 1979, NASL rules required that each squad start two U.S. or Canadian players—often a goalkeeper and an outside defender[20]—and that each 17-man roster carry six native players.[29] The U.S. had lacked sufficient quality youth soccer programs in the 1950s, resulting in the dearth of U.S.-born talent in NASL in the 1970s.[29] NASL suffered a minor blow with a players strike at the start of the1979 season, but the strike was honored by only one third of the players and lasted only five days.[30]
In 1980, the minimum number of U.S. and Canadian starters was raised to three.[29] The1980 season was referred to as "the year of the North American player" with a renewed emphasis on "native players."[20] With the increased requirements for teams to field U.S. and Canadian players, demand for quality native players boomed, withJim McAlister setting a transfer record for an American player at $200,000 (or $620,000 in 2023).[20]
With the end of the 1970s, NASL seemed poised for moderate success.[20] The 1979 season had seen attendance increase by 8%. ABC televised several matches during the 1979 and 1980 seasons.[4] An apparent era of stability seemed to have arrived, with the 1980 season expecting no planned expansion, relocations or failed teams among its 24 franchises, and with most rosters remaining relatively stable.[20]
The NASL was often in dispute with FIFA due to its rules changes.[31][32][33] In April 1978, FIFA threatened theUnited States Soccer Federation with banning NASL players from playing international games, due to the unsanctioned soccer rule changes by the NASL.[34]
| Season | Teams | Games | Attendance | Network TV (games) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 17 | 32 | 4,699 | CBS |
| 1969 | 5 | 16 | 2,930 | None |
| 1970 | 6 | 24 | 3,163 | |
| 1971 | 8 | 4,154 | ||
| 1972 | 14 | 4,780 | ||
| 1973 | 9 | 19 | 5,954 | |
| 1974 | 15 | 20 | 7,770 | CBS (1) |
| 1975 | 20 | 22 | 7,642 | CBS (2) |
| 1976 | 10,295 | CBS (2) | ||
| 1977 | 18 | 26 | 13,558 | TVS (7) |
| 1978 | 24 | 30 | 13,084 | TVS (6) |
| 1979 | 14,201 | ABC (9) | ||
| 1980 | 32 | 14,440 | ABC (8) | |
| 1981 | 21 | 14,084 | ABC (1) | |
| 1982 | 14 | 13,155 | None | |
| 1983 | 12 | 30 | 13,258 | |
| 1984 | 9 | 24 | 10,759 | |
| TV column includes only network TV. It does not include cable (ESPN, USA) or pay-per-view (SportsVision). | ||||
At the close of the 1980 season, NASL's woes were beginning to mount, as NASL was feeling the effects of over-expansion, the economic recession, and disputes with the players union.[35]In the early 1980s the U.S. economy went into the doldrums, with unemployment reaching 10.8% in 1982, its highest level since World War II.[36] NASL's owners, who were losing money, were not immune from the broader economy.
Perhaps most troubling of all, NASL owners were spending sums on player salaries that could not be covered by league revenue. Whereas NFL owners in 1980 were spending on average 40% of the team's budget on player salaries, NASL owners were averaging over 70% of their budget on player salaries.[35] The Cosmos, in particular, owned byWarner Communications, were spending lavish sums on player salaries, and while other teams—such as Los Angeles,Jacksonville, Portland,Toronto, andMontreal—that were owned by major corporations could keep up with the Cosmos, owners without deep pockets could not keep pace with the spending levels.[35] Owners spent millions on aging stars to try to match the success of the Cosmos and lost significant amounts of money in doing so.
Another headache for NASL was competition from the resurgentMajor Indoor Soccer League.[37] The MISL began during the1978–79 season, grew quickly, and by the early 1980s MISL was averaging over 8,000 fans per game. MISL's growth meant that throughout the early 1980s the NASL and the MISL engaged in a bidding war for U.S.-based soccer players, putting further pressure on league salaries and heightening NASL's financial problems.[37] In an effort to vie for MISL's expanding audiences, the NASL operated an indoor soccer league from1979–80 to1981–82 and in1983–84.
As a result, the league ran a collective deficit in 1980 of about $30 million (or $93.1 million in 2023), with each team losing money.[35] The San Diego Sockers lost $10 million from 1978 to 1983, andTulsa lost $8 million from 1980 to 1983.[27] The Washington Diplomats folded in November 1980, after owners MSG Corp. lost a rumored $5 million on the team in 1979 and 1980.[24]
NASL had also decided to sell TV advertising locally, instead of recruiting national sponsors.[38] During the 1980 offseason, the NASL Players' Association was in dispute with the league over projected payments for the indoor season, causing the players to file a lawsuit against the league.[35]
The1981 season was even worse for the league, with the league's 24 teams again running a collective deficit of $30 million (or $85.1 million in 2023) and every team losing money.[39]Ted Turner'sAtlanta Chiefs lost $7 million (or $19.9 million in 2023), the Minnesota Kicks lost $2.5 million (or $7.09 million in 2023), theCalgary Boomers lost over $2 million (or $5.68 million in 2023), andLamar Hunt's Dallas Tornado had lost $1 million annually.[39] At the close of the 1981 season five teams folded, with another two teams—the L.A. Aztecs and Minnesota Kicks—later folding during the 1981–82 offseason after failing to find buyers.[39] NASL shrank from 21 teams to 14.
Many of these new owners were not soccer savvy, and once the perceived popularity started to decline, they got out as quickly as they got in.Over-expansion without sufficient vetting of ownership groups was a huge factor in the death of the league.[38] Once the league started growing, new franchises were awarded quickly, and it doubled in size in a few years, peaking at 24 teams. Many have suggested that cash-starved existing owners longed for their share of the expansion fee charged of new owners, even thoughForbes Magazine reported this amount as being only $100,000.
With the league declining rapidly in the early 1980s and losing many franchises, the NASL made several changes in an attempt to keep going.Phil Woosnam, who had served as NASL Commissioner since 1969 and had been a strong proponent of expansion during the 1970s, was removed by the league's 14 owners in April 1982 by a reported 11–3 vote.[26] NASL tried to help bring the 1986 World Cup to the United States after Colombia withdrew from its commitment to host, but FIFA decided in 1983 to award the hosting of the1986 FIFA World Cup to Mexico, rather than the U.S. In early 1984, NASL reached a collective bargaining agreement with the NASL Players Association that included a $825,000 salary cap to be achieved by annual 10% reductions, and a reduction in roster sizes from 28 to 19.[27]
The league lasted until the1984 NASL season with only nine teams taking the field. On March 28, 1985, the NASL suspended operations for the 1985 season, when only theMinnesota Strikers andToronto Blizzard were interested in playing. At the time, the league planned to relaunch in 1986.[40]
Of those final nine teams, theChicago Sting, Minnesota Strikers, New York Cosmos, and San Diego Sockers joined theMajor Indoor Soccer League for its1984–85 season. TheTulsa Roughnecks independently played 11 matches in 1985, before suspending operations on July 17.[41][42] TheGolden Bay Earthquakes andTampa Bay Rowdies managed to survive as independent franchises until they joined theWSA andAISA respectively. The Rowdies were the last surviving NASL franchise to play outdoor soccer, lasting until February 1994.[43] The Sockers were the final league franchise to dissolve. They survived playing exclusively indoor soccer until 1996.
After theUnited States' early elimination in1982 World Cup qualifying, American managerWalt Chyzowych stated the NASL had failed to offer much of a foundation for his team, since the league had largely failed to develop American players.[44]Canada fared better, coming a win short of qualification for the 1982 World Cup with a squad exclusively made up of NASL players.[45][46] Although the NASL ultimately failed, it did introduce soccer to the North American sports scene on a large scale for the first time, and was a major contributing factor in soccer becoming one of the most popular sports among American youth. On July 4, 1988, FIFA awarded the hosting of the1994 World Cup to the United States. NASL has also provided lessons for its successorMajor League Soccer, which has taken precautions against such problems, particularly a philosophy of financial restraint (mainstream American sports, by the time of MLS' startup in 1996, had adopted financial restraint rules, which MLS adopted). American college and high school soccer still use some NASL-style rules (with shortened halves, although the time does stop for certain reasons).
18 of the 22 players on theCanadian squad at the1986 World Cup were former NASL players. TheUnited States did not have any former NASL players on their squad at the1990 World Cup but had three on the 1994 team (Fernando Clavijo,Hugo Pérez andRoy Wegerle) and one on the1998 team (Wegerle).
Several NASL team names have been reused by teams in later soccer leagues. Currently thePortland Timbers,San Jose Earthquakes,Seattle Sounders FC, andVancouver Whitecaps FC are all successor teams inMajor League Soccer. Four other well known names (New York Cosmos,Tampa Bay Rowdies,Fort Lauderdale Strikers, andTulsa Roughnecks) have resurfaced in the newNASL and theUSL, which are bothDivision II leagues. Two of the oldestderbies in North American professional soccer(Cascadia Cup andFort Lauderdale–Tampa Bay) began in the NASL of the 1970s, and continue today via successor clubs.
| Year | Participation | Games played |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 4 of 8 teams | 4 games |
| 1975 | 16 of 20 teams | 2–4 games |
| 1976 | 12 of 20 teams | |
| 1977 | — | — |
| 1978 | 4 of 24 teams | 4 games |
| 1979 | 4 of 24 teams | 4 games |
| 1979–80 | 10 of 24 teams | 12 games |
| 1980–81 | 19 of 21 teams | 18 games |
| 1981–82 | 13 of 14 teams | |
| 1983 | 4 of 12 teams | 8 games |
| 1983–84 | 7 of 9 teams | 32 games |
The NASL first staged an indoor tournament in1971 at theSt. Louis Arena with a $2,800 purse.[47] After a couple of years of experimenting, including a three-city tour by theRed Army team from Moscow in 1974, the league again staged tournaments in1975 and1976. For many years Tampa Bay ownerGeorge W. Strawbridge, Jr. lobbied his fellow owners to start up a winter indoor season, but was repeatedly stone-walled by other owners.[48][49] For several years, his Rowdies and several other teams used winter indoor "friendlies" as part of their training and build-up to the outdoor season. In the meantime, pressed by the rivalMajor Indoor Soccer League (MISL), which inaugurated play in 1978, two-day mini-tournaments like theSkelly Invitational[50] and theNASL Budweiser Invitational[51] were held with varying degrees of success. The NASL finally started a full indoor league schedule, a 12-game season with 10 teams, in1979–80. For the1980–81 season, the number of teams playing indoor soccer increased to 19 and the schedule grew to 18 games. The schedule remained at 18 games, but the teams participating decreased to 13 for the1981–82 season. The league canceled the 1982–83 indoor season and three teams (Chicago, Golden Bay, and San Diego) played in theMISL for that season. Four other teams (Fort Lauderdale, Montreal, Tampa Bay and Tulsa) competed in a shortNASL Grand Prix of Indoor Soccer Tournament in early 1983.[52] The NASL indoor season returned for1983–84 with only seven teams but a 32-game schedule.
* Due to the NASL's nontraditional points system, in 1968, 1969, 1980, 1983 & 1984 the team with the best win–loss record did not win the regular season.[56]
# TheNew York Cosmos dropped"New York" from its name for the 1977 and 1978 seasons, then returned to the full name.
# The New York Cosmos dropped "New York" from its name for the 1977 and 1978 seasons, then returned to the full name.
| Club | Winner | Runner-up | Seasons Won | Seasons Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | 3 | 3 | 1976,1979–80,1983 | 1975,1979,1981–82 |
| Dallas Tornado | 2 | 0 | 1971,1979 | – |
| San Diego Sockers | 2 | 0 | 1981–82,1983–84 | – |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 1 | 0 | 1975 | – |
| Tulsa Roughnecks | 1 | 0 | 1978 | – |
| Edmonton Drillers | 1 | 0 | 1980–81 | – |
| Rochester Lancers | 0 | 2 | – | 1971,1976 |
| Minnesota Kicks | 0 | 1 | – | 1978 |
| Memphis Rogues | 0 | 1 | – | 1979–80 |
| Chicago Sting | 0 | 1 | – | 1980–81 |
| Montreal Manic | 0 | 1 | – | 1983 |
| New York Cosmos | 0 | 1 | – | 1983–84 |
– existed before 1968 NASL formation. – continued after 1984 NASL demise. – existed before 1968 and after 1984
*Operated asToronto Croatia from 1956 until they merged with the NASL's Toronto Metros in 1975, and then again after they sold out of the NASL in 1979.
Of the 67 teams that played in the NASL over the course of its 17 seasons, many represent relocated franchises, and a handful represent the same franchise in the same location with changed names such as the Apollos, Cosmos and Earthquakes. The total number of unique clubs was 43.
TheHeritage Cup inMajor League Soccer was developed as a way to remember the NASL's heritage by having teams named after NASL teams to participate for a special trophy. Today, two MLS teams, San Jose and Seattle, play for this trophy, although Portland and Vancouver are both eligible for the trophy if they decide to participate in this derby. NASL clubs' names still active in some form today are listed in bold.
Baltimore Bays (1972–1973)Baltimore Bays (1993–1998)Boston Tea MenChicago StingersChicago Mustangs (2012–)DFW TornadosDetroit Express (1981–1983)East Bay FC Stompers –NPSL
Edmonton Drillers (1996–2000)Edmonton Drillers (2007–2010)Florida Strikers –USISLFort Lauderdale Strikers (1988–1994)Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1994–1997)Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2006–2016)Houston HurricanesHouston Hurricanes FCHouston Stars (WPSL)
Jomo Cosmos –National First DivisionKaizer Chiefs FC –Premier Soccer LeagueL.A. Wolves FCLas Vegas QuicksilverMaryland BaysMemphis Rogues – AISA & SISLNew York Cosmos (2010)Philadelphia Atoms SC–ASLPhiladelphia Fury –NISLPortland Timbers –WSLPortland Timbers –USLPortland Timbers –MLSRochester Lady Lancers –UWSRochester Lancers (2011–2015)Rochester Lancers – NPSLSanta Cruz Surf –USISLSan Diego Sockers (2001–2004)San Diego Sockers (2009–)San Diego Surf –PASLSan Jose Earthquakes –Heritage Cup (MLS)San Fernando Valley QuakesSeattle Sounders – USLSeattle Sounders FC – Heritage Cup (MLS)SoCal Surf –PDL South Florida Strikers –WPSLTampa Bay RowdiesToronto Blizzard (1986–1993)Toronto Falcons (NSL)Tulsa Roughnecks (1993–2000) Tulsa Roughnecks (1995) –W-LeagueTulsa Roughnecks FC (2015–2019) – USL(now calledFC Tulsa)Vancouver Whitecaps – USLVancouver Whitecaps FC – MLSWashington Diplomats (1988–1990)The NASL brought some of the world's best soccer players to the United States. The trend started early as players such asVavá,Peter McParland,Rubén Marino Navarro,Co Prins andJuan Santisteban appeared in the league in 1968. However, after the Cosmos signed Pele in 1975, the number of famous names increased during the NASL's peak during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In fact, 20 of the 44World Cup Best XI selections between 1966 and 1978 spent time in the NASL. At one time NASL squads fielded the captains of the past three World Cup-winning teams—Beckenbauer (1974), Alberto (1970), and Moore (1966). Of theEuropean Footballer of the Year awards from 1965 to 1976, eight of the twelve awards—Eusébio (1965), Best (1968), Muller (1970), Cruyff (1971, '73, '74), Beckenbauer (1972, '76) —were given to players who went on to play in NASL. In addition, several players went on to greater acclaim after leaving the NASL, among themPeter Beardsley,Bruce Grobbelaar,Julio César Romero,Hugo Sánchez andGraeme Souness. Two players appeared in both the NASL andMLS, spanning a 12-year gap in North American professional soccer: Hugo Sánchez andRoy Wegerle.[60]
| Player | Position | NASL years | NASL club(s) | Accolades (outside NASL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pelé | FW | 1975–1977 | New York Cosmos | Three World Cup championships with Brazil in 1958, 1962, 1970; 1973South American Footballer of the Year |
| Carlos Alberto | DF | 1977–1982 | New York Cosmos; California | Captained Brazil to victory at the 1970 World Cup |
 Elías Figueroa | DF | 1981 | Fort Lauderdale | South American Footballer of the Year in 1974, 1975, and 1976 |
 Alan Ball, Jr. | MF | 1978–1980 | Philadelphia; Vancouver | Set up two Hurst goals at the 1966 World Cup Final; Played at the 1970 World Cup |
| Gordon Banks | GK | 1977–1978 | Fort Lauderdale | GK for England during their 1966 World Cup championship run; Six-time FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year |
| Geoff Hurst | FW | 1976 | Seattle | Scored a hat trick for England at the 1966 World Cup Final; 1968Euro All-Star team |
| Bobby Moore | DF | 1976; 1978 | San Antonio; Seattle | Captained England to victory at the 1966 World Cup |
| Peter Beardsley | FW | 1982–1983 | Vancouver Whitecaps | England International |
 Franz Beckenbauer | DF | 1977–1980; 1983 | New York Cosmos | Captained West Germany to victory at the 1974 World Cup European Player of the Year 1972 and 1976 FIFA World Cup All-Star team 1966, 1970 and 1974 |
| Gerd Müller | FW | 1979–1981 | Fort Lauderdale | 1970 European Footballer of the Year; Scored 10 goals at the 1970 World Cup; 1974 World Cup winner |
 Roberto Bettega | FW | 1983–1984 | Toronto Blizzard | Named to the 1978 World Cup All-Star team; Ranked third on Juventus' career goals scored (#2 at time of retirement) |
 Johan Cruyff | MF | 1979–1981 | Los Angeles Aztecs; Washington Diplomats | Led the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final; European Footballer of the Year award in 1971, 1973, and 1974 |
| Ruud Krol | DF | 1980 | Vancouver Whitecaps | Captain of the Netherlands team that reached the 1978 World Cup Final |
| Johan Neeskens | MF | 1979–1984 | New York Cosmos | Reached World Cup finals with the Netherlands in 1974 and 1978; Named to the 1974 World Cup All-Star team; Won 3 European Cups with Ajax from 1971 to 1973 |
| Rob Rensenbrink | MF | 1980 | Portland | Winner of the 1976Onze d'Or; Reached World Cup finals with the Netherlands in 1974 and 1978; Second leading scorer at the 1978 World Cup |
| Wim Suurbier | DF | 1979–1983 | Los Angeles Aztecs; San Jose Earthquakes | Reached World Cup finals with the Netherlands in 1974 and 1978; Won 3 European Cups with Ajax from 1971 to 1973 |
 George Best | MF | 1976–1982 | Los Angeles Aztecs; Fort Lauderdale; San Jose | 1968 European Footballer of the Year |
 Julio César Romero | MF | 1980–1983 | New York Cosmos | 1979 Copa América winner with Paraguay; 1985 South American Footballer of the Year |
 Teófilo Cubillas | FW/MF | 1979–1983 | Fort Lauderdale | Named Best Young Player of 1970 World Cup; 1972 South American Footballer of the Year; Scored 5 goals in two different World Cups (1970, 1978) Named to 1978 World Cup All-Star team |
 Kazimierz Deyna | MF | 1981–1984 | San Diego Sockers | Top scorer at the 1972 Olympics; Member of Poland team that finished 3rd at the 1974 World Cup; Won the Bronze Ball as the 3rd best player at the 1974 World Cup |
 Eusébio | MF | 1975–1979 | Boston Minutemen; Toronto; Las Vegas | 1965 European Footballer of the Year; 1966 World Cup Golden Boot (top scorer) |
| António Simões | MF | 1975–1979 | Boston; San Jose; Dallas | 1962 European Cup winner with Benfica; Member of Portugal'sMagriços team that placed 3rd at 1966 World Cup |
 Peter Lorimer | MF | 1979–1983 | Toronto; Vancouver | Scored 255 goals forLeeds United |
 Björn Nordqvist | DF | 1979–1980 | Minnesota | Former world record holder with 115 caps; Played at the 1970, 1974, and 1978 World Cups |
| Rodney Marsh | FW | 1976–1979 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | England International |
| Season | Average[citation needed] | High Team[61] | Highest[61] | 2nd Team[61] | 2nd Highest[61] | Low Team[61] | Lowest[61] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 4,699 | Kansas City Spurs | 8,510 | Washington Whips | 6,840 | Los Angeles Wolves | 2,441 |
| 1969 | 2,930 | Kansas City Spurs | 4,273 | Atlanta Chiefs | 3,371 | Baltimore Bays | 1,601 |
| 1970 | 3,163 | Rochester Lancers | 4,506 | Washington Darts | 3,894 | Kansas City Spurs | 2,398 |
| 1971 | 4,154 | Toronto Metros | 5,993 | Rochester Lancers | 5,871 | Montreal Olympique | 2,440 |
| 1972 | 4,780 | St. Louis Stars | 7,773 | Toronto Metros | 7,173 | Miami Gatos | 2,112 |
| 1973 | 5,954 | Philadelphia Atoms | 11,501 | Dallas Tornado | 7,474 | Atlanta Apollos | 3,317 |
| 1974 | 7,770 | San Jose Earthquakes | 16,584 | Seattle Sounders | 13,454 | Toronto Metros | 3,458 |
| 1975 | 7,930 | San Jose Earthquakes | 17,927 | Seattle Sounders | 16,826 | Baltimore Comets | 2,641 |
| 1976 | 10,295 | Seattle Sounders | 23,828 | Minnesota Kicks | 23,121 | Boston Minutemen | 2,571 |
| 1977 | 13,558 | Cosmos * | 34,142 | Minnesota Kicks | 32,775 | Connecticut Bicentennials | 3,848 |
| 1978 | 13,084 | Cosmos * | 47,856 | Minnesota Kicks | 30,928 | Chicago Sting | 4,188 |
| 1979 | 14,201 | New York Cosmos | 46,690 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 27,650 | Philadelphia Fury | 5,626 |
| 1980 | 14,440 | New York Cosmos | 42,754 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 28,435 | Philadelphia Fury | 4,465 |
| 1981 | 14,084 | New York Cosmos | 34,835 | Montreal Manic | 23,704 | Dallas Tornado | 4,670 |
| 1982 | 13,155 | New York Cosmos | 28,749 | Montreal Manic | 21,348 | Edmonton Drillers | 4,922 |
| 1983 | 13,258 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 29,166 | New York Cosmos | 27,242 | San Diego Sockers | 4,212 |
| 1984 | 10,759 | Minnesota Strikers | 14,263 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 13,924 | San Diego Sockers | 5,702 |
*Cosmos dropped "New York" from name for 1977 and 1978 seasons
The New York Cosmos hold 21 of the 24 top attendance records in NASL history. Of the 107 games involving NASL clubs that have drawn 40,000+ fans, 65 were Cosmos' home matches at Giants Stadium (excludesSoccer Bowl '78). The table below ranks teams by the number of 40,000+ crowds they attracted.[62][63]
| Team | 40,000+ | Highest Single Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Cosmos | 65 matches | 77,691vs Fort Lauderdale (1977) | playoff game |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | 12 matches | 56,389vs California (1980) | Fourth of July fireworks display after game |
| Minnesota Kicks | 8 matches | 49,572vs San Jose (1976) | playoff game |
| Seattle Sounders | 6 matches | 58,125vs New York (1976) | first sporting event inKingdome |
| Soccer Bowl | 4 matches | 74,901[64]Cosmos vs Tampa Bay (1978) | played inGiants Stadium |
| Montreal Manic | 4 matches | 58,542vs Chicago (1981) | playoff game |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 3 matches | 60,342vs Seattle (1983) | first sporting event inBC Place |
| Los Angeles Aztecs | 2 matches | 48,483vs Washington (1980) | Fourth of July fireworks display after game |
| Washington Diplomats | 1 match | 53,351vs New York (1980) | nationally televised onABC |
| Minnesota Strikers | 1 match | 52,621vs Tampa Bay (1984) | Beach Boys concert after game |
| Team America | 1 match | 50,108vs Fort Lauderdale (1983) | Beach Boys concert after game |
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| Preceded by | Division 1 soccer league in the United States 1967–1984 | Succeeded by |
