NASL Legends: Archie Roboostoff, Dave Dufty and Mani Hernandez NASL Memories: Gerd Müller was nicknamed "Der Bomber" for his powerful shot and clinical finishing that helped West Germany win the 1974 FIFA World Cup and led both Bayern Munich and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers to club success. Born on 3 November 1945, Müller was a stocky, speedy striker who scored 68 international goals - and had his own line of Adidas boots - and captured 4 Bundesliga titles, 3 European Cups and 1 Cup Winners' Cup with Bayern Munich. He transferred to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 1979 and scored 38 goals in 3 NASL seasons, earning all-NASL honors in 1979 and helping the Strikers reach the Soccer Bowl '80 final. Sadly, Müller died earlier this year after a long battle with dementia at the age of 75. Happy 76th birthday to Billy Semple (number 16), the Scottish forward who played with major clubs like Glasgow Rangers (1967-71) and Dundee (1972-74) and spent the 1976 NASL season with the San Antonio Thunder, contributing 4 assists in 21 games. Happy 62nd birthday to defender Barney Boyce, the St. Louis native who was playing overseas in Yugoslavia when the Washington Diplomats signed him in 1980 at the age of 18, leading to a 5-year pro career that included 44 NASL games with the Dips (1980), Montreal Manic (1981), and San Jose / Golden Bay Earthquakes (1982-84), along with 2 MISL stints with the Kansas City Comets (1981-82) and the Earthquakes (1982-83). NASL Head Shots: San Jose Earthquakes, 1977 Happy 66th birthday to Mike Connell, the lanky South African defender who spent his entire NASL career with the Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975, 1977-84), becoming a Fannie favorite while making 252 appearances -- 3rd-most in NASL history -- and earning the nickname "Iron Mike" by playing in an NASL-record 179 consecutive games while helping the Rowdies win Soccer Bowl '75 and reach the Soccer Bowl final in 1978 and 1979, winning the 1980 NASL Indoor title and the 1983 NASL Grand Prix of Soccer championship, earning 3 all-NASL selections and serving as captain of the Rowdies from 1981-84. NASL Dateline: On 1 November 1983, the Chicago Sting re-signed coach Willy Roy to a 1-year contract. Happy 72nd birthday to Bruce Hudson (number 4), the All-American forward who led Saint Louis University to 2 NCAA titles and represented the U.S. in the 1975 Pan American Games, then signed with the hometown St. Louis Stars in 1976 and played in 22 NASL games. Happy 72nd birthday to Ian "Chico" Hamilton (number 15), the English midfielder whose debut goal for Chelsea at 16 years of age in 1966 made him the youngest-ever scorer at Stamford Bridge and led to a 7-year run at Aston Villa (1969-76) that included 2 League Cup finals, who then signed with the Minnesota Kicks in 1978 and contributed 22 goals in 101 games over 4 seasons that included 2 division titles and a run to the semifinals in the 1978 NASL Playoffs, and culminated with the 1982 NASL season with the San Jose Earthquakes. Happy 66th birthday to Thomas Rongen (number 3), the Dutch midfielder who jumped to the NASL as a 22-year old in 1979 as part of Rinus Michels' "Orange Wave" makeover of the Los Angeles Aztecs, then built a 6-year career that comprised 10 goals and 138 appearances with Los Angeles (1979), the Washington Diplomats (1980) and Fort Lauderdale / Minnesota Strikers (1981-84), followed by a 2-year MISL swing (Minnesota Strikers and Chicago Sting) and a coaching career that hit the heights with the Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996 MLS Coach of the Year), D.C. United (1999 MLS Cup) and national team stints with the U.S. (Men's and Women's U-20 teams) and American Samoa, the latter of which is featured in the critically acclaimed 2014 documentary, "Next Goal Wins," and the upcoming 2023 feature film of the same name.
NASL Quotes: "I was tired of the way they play in Holland. They kick the hell out of you. The brutes have taken over. There's no excitement anymore, no skill. It's now a game for the hard kickers and hard sliders." - Hank Liotart, midfielder, Seattle Sounders, explaining his decision to jump to the NASL in 1974. Happy 61st birthday to Canada international Sven Habermann, the 6-foot-3 Berlin-born goalkeeper who made 7 appearances in 2 NASL seasons with the Toronto Blizzard, helping the team reach back-to-back Soccer Bowl finals in 1983 and 1984, while also competing for Canada in the 1984 Olympic Games and the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
NASL World Cup: With the 2022 World Cup in Qatar just days away, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Teófilo Cubillas, Peru (1970-78-82) NASL World Cup: With the 2022 World Cup in Qatar just days away, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Bobby Moore, England (1966-70) Soccer in the 1970s: The expansion Detroit Express posted a 20-10 record in 1978, winning the American Conference Central Division title and becoming just 1 of 4 NASL teams to finish with a winning record (10-5) on the road. Detroit also racked up 68 goals - 22 of which came from English superstar Trevor Francis - and 7 straight down the stretch. But that magical 1st season came to an end in the Conference semifinals of the NASL Playoffs, where the Express forced a mini-game tie-breaker against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and dropped a 1-0 decision before a franchise-record crowd of 32,219 at the Silverdome. MISL Dateline: On 16 November 1978, the MISL conducted its 1st college draft ahead of the 1978-79 MISL season and the Cincinnati Kids made defender Keith Tozer of Oneonta State the number 1 overall pick. NASL Dateline: On 16 November 1980, the Washington Diplomats posted their 3rd win in 4 matches against Japanese teams in a 201 victory over the Japan All Stars in Fukuoka. Happy 71st birthday to U.S. international Ane Mihailovich (number 17), the Macedonian-born midfielder who won ASL titles with the Los Angeles Skyhawks (1976) and Detroit Express (1982) but otherwise ground out a 5-year NASL career with the Los Angeles Express (1977-78), Washington Diplomats (1978-79), San Jose Earthquakes (1980) and San Diego Sockers (1981), scoring 3 goals in 68 career games and also playing for the Detroit Lightning in the 1979-80 MISL season. Happy 66th birthday to Bret Hall, the fierce 5-foot-6 defender who starred at Wheaton College and was a 2nd-round pick of the Portland Timbers in the 1979 NASL Draft, but played his entire NASL career with the Chicago Sting (1979-83), making 81 appearances and helping the team win Soccer Bowl '81 while also reaching the 1981 NASL Indoor final, then later played in the MISL with Chicago (1985-86), the Phoenix Pride (1983-84), Cleveland Force (1984-85) and in the AISA / NPSL with the Chicago Power (1988-95). NASL Memories: Dan Canter was a steady, dependable defender who back-stopped teams at the professional and international level. Born on 16 November 1961, Canter earned All American honors at Penn State and was taken with the 7th overall pick of the 1982 NASL Draft by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. He scored 7 goals in 73 games for the Strikers, Team America (1983) and the New York Cosmos (1984) -- earning all-NASL honors in 1984 -- and later played 3 injury-plagued MISL seasons with the Cosmos (1984-85), Chicago Sting (1984-86) and Minnesota Strikers (1985-87). Canter was also a pillar of the U.S. team as it prepared for the 1984 Olympic Games but suffered an injury before the competition and was dropped from the roster. Sadly, Canter passed away in 2020 at the age of 59.
NASL Head Shots: NASL Select Team, Franz Beckenbauer Farewell Match, 1980 NASL Merchandise: Detroit Express / Bonanza trading cards Happy 68th birthday to Canada international Chris Horrocks (number 16), the Quebecois defender who played in the 1975 Pan American Games, then crafted a 4-year NASL career with the Montreal Olympique (1972-73), Toronto Metros-Croatia (1976) and Las Vegas Quicksilvers (1977) that comprised 34 games and victory in Soccer Bowl '76. Soccer in the 1970s: The San Antonio Thunder's Volkswagen club car was hard to miss on the streets of Alamo City. NASL Dateline: On 14 November 1977, only the 2nd professional sports franchise ever based in the 50th state pulled up stakes as Team Hawaii opted to relocate to Tulsa after a troubled lone season in Honolulu where heavy rains impacted 5 of the first 7 home games, road trips to the mainland took weeks to complete, and the club limped to an 11-15 record. Owner Ward Lay Jr. - who had shifted the team from San Antonio in late 1976 - had hoped to re-settle in Milwaukee but chose Tulsa when that deal fell through NASL Quotes: "Juli Veee has all of the moves. He dribbles better than anybody and he's got explosive power that's his best strength. But the problem is, he'd much rather fake the goalie two or three times and then shoot it between his legs instead of taking the original easy, open shot. Sometimes he frustrates me. I can't coach him; I have to coax him." - Ron Newman, coach, San Diego Sockers Soccer in the 1970s: Dallas Tornado goalkeeper Ken Cooper was an enthusiastic Dr. Pepper pitchman.
NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar just days away, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Leonardo Cuéllar, Mexico (1978) Happy 67th birthday to Tommy Tynan (number 9) the high-flying English forward who became a cult hero for his goal-scoring exploits and long blond hair, developing through the Liverpool youth system to starring roles at Sheffield Wednesday (1976-78), Newport County (1978-83) and Plymouth Argyle (1983-90), winning the Welsh Cup and nearly carrying Plymouth Argyle to the FA Cup final in 1984, and spending the 1976 NASL season with the Dallas Tornado, where he counted 2 goals and 4 assists in 17 games. NASL Adverts: Tampa Bay Rowdies / Kamp Kickinthagrass Happy 71st birthday to U.S. international Tom Galati (number 12), the St. Louis defender who earned All America honors at SIU-Edwardsville and helped the Cougars to the 1972 NCAA Division II championship, then was taken by the Philadelphia Atoms with the 15th overall pick in the 1974 NASL Draft and made 61 appearances over 4 NASL seasons with the Atoms (1974-76) and Las Vegas Quicksilvers (1977) -- finishing 2nd in the 1974 Rookie of the Year balloting -- and closed out his career with the St. Louis Steamers in the 1979-80 MISL season. NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar just days away, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Kazimierz Deyna, Poland (1974-78) Happy 74th birthday to Brazil international José Márcio Pereira da Silva -- better known by his nickname, "Zequinha" -- the popular striker who shone at big domestic clubs such as Gremio, Botafogo and Flamengo, then signed with the Dallas Tornado in 1979 and kick-started a North American career that comprised 22 goals in 116 games with the Tornado (1979-81), Tampa Bay Rowdies (1982) and Tulsa Roughnecks (1983) -- including the Soccer Bowl '83 title and the 1982 NASL Indoor finals -- and also featured extended MISL spells with the Detroit Lightning (1979-80) and Tacoma Stars (1983-84) Happy 61st birthday to U.S. international Michael Collins, the New York midfielder whose 18-year career included 17 teams in 7 leagues in both outdoor and indoor soccer, ranging from the 1981 ASL finals with New York United and the 1980-81 NASL Indoor season with the Atlanta Chiefs that captured the division title to MISL championships with the New York Arrows (1982) and San Diego Sockers (1992) to the 1985 MISL finals with the Baltimore Blast, playing in the 1987 MISL All Star Game, all while scoring 132 career goals in 377 games. MISL Dateline: On 17 November 1978, goalkeeper Shep Messing became the 1st player ever to sign an MISL contract when he committed to the New York Arrows in a lavish press conference at the 21 Club in New York. “This is the same room where Pelé signed his contract with the Cosmos.” Messing said. “Pelé said he was a missionary for soccer. I decided to play indoor soccer because it is a game geared so well for American players.” NASL Head Shots: Memphis Rogues, 1979
Happy 76th birthday to West Germany international Bernd "Bernie" Gersdorff, the dependable midfielder who followed up a 14-year career with Bundesliga clubs like Bayern Munich, Eintracht Braunschweig, Hertha Berlin and Tennis Borussia Berlin by jumping to the NASL in 1979, where he notched 16 goals and 7 assists in 2 seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes (1979-80) and San Diego Sockers (1980). MISL Merchandise: Baltimore Blast 10th anniversary patch NASL Head Shots: New York Cosmos, Franz Beckenbauer Farewell Game, 1980 Soccer in the 1970s: New York Cosmos forward Pelé celebrates with teammate Vito Dimitrijevic at Giants Stadium. NASL Memories: The Chicago Sting's Ovaltine team van probably turned some heads along Lake Shore Drive. What a trip, I just thought of Joe Corrigan today....No fooling! Happy 74th birthday to England international Joe Corrigan, the 6-foot-4 goalkeeper who came by his "Big Joe" nickname honestly and anchored Manchester City's back line for 476 matches over 16 years, winning 2 League Cups and the 1970 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and was a member of England's squad at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, then joined the Seattle Sounders for the 1983 NASL season, posting 5 shutouts in 29 matches.
NASL Legends: "Krazy George" Henderson NASL Dateline: On 27 October 1982, the NASL Board of Governors voted to create Team America, an NASL franchise that would begin play in 1983 and double as the U.S. National Team-in-training, with either St. Louis or Washington D.C. proposed as the host city. The NASL vote was 10-1 in favor, with the Tulsa Roughnecks voting against and the New York Cosmos abstaining. NASL Dateline: On 14 November 1977, the NASL announced the launch of the Philadelphia Fury, a hybrid franchise that married the front office savvy of the old Philadelphia Atoms with rock star owners (Rick Wakeman, Peter Frampton, Paul Simon et al), fashion designer uniforms, and A-list players (Peter Osgood, Johnny Giles, Bob Rigby, Bobby Smith), kicking off an expansion boom that would see the league grow by 33 percent in 1 year. NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar just days away, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Eusebio, Portugal (1966). NASL Merchandise: New York Cosmos replica jersey NASL Head Shots: Jacksonville Tea Men, 1981
NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar just days away, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Geoff Hurst, England (1966-70). NASL National Team: Bruce Wilson, Canada
Are you the one kicking the ball or are you one of the boys sitting on the grass (just curious)? GO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
great meeting you yesterday, Goodsie! Thanks again for all you do to keep our illustrious message board going!
SQR - Legendary Pele is on the last chapter of his legendary and amazing life. https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/Soc...fCTF5f0E3SLO-5X3Fy8_1LEYFgHlfiqPP9w316jcyM-ss
I keep reading that Pele is in his final hours but then I read he is responding to treatment. Sending prayers for O Rei!
MISL Legends: Buffalo Stallions reunion (Pat Erocli, Francsco Ecos, Dave Sarachan, Dennis Mepham, Frank Odoi, Scott Manning, Jim May, Joe Horvath, Carlos Metidieri, Jim Sinclair, Ernie Azevedo, Tony Betts, Tommy Ord) Happy 81st birthday to Wales international Mike England, the 6-foot-2 defender who won 4 major trophies in 9 years with Tottenham -- the 1967 FA Cup, the 1972 UEFA Cup and League Cups in 1971 and 1973 -- then signed with the Seattle Sounders in 1975 and anchored the defense for 5 seasons, scoring 6 goals in 106 appearances, helping the team reach Soccer Bowl '77, earning 4 all-NASL selections, and playing alongside Pelé, Bobby Moore and Giorgio Chinaglia for the USA in the Bicentennial Cup in 1976. Happy 68th birthday to forward Billy McNicol (number 17), the former Glasgow Rangers youth product who joined the San Antonio Thunder as a 22 year-old in 1976 and crafted a 9-year pro career that included reaching the 1978 ASL Final with the Los Angeles Skyhawks and 81 goals in 5 MISL seasons with the Hartford Hellions (1980-81), Pittsburgh Spirit (1979-80, 1981-83) and Golden Bay Earthquakes (1982-83). NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Mehdi Cerbah, Algeria (1982) Happy 69th birthday to Bobby McAvan (number 6), the Scottish-Canadian defender who joined the Baltimore Blast in 1981 and went on to amass 9 goals in 98 MISL games, helping the Blast reach 3 straight MISL Championship Series and winning the MISL title in 1984. NASL Action: New York Cosmos stars François Van der Elst and Franz Beckenbauer get loose during a training session. MISL Action: Philadelphia Fever forward Joey Fink settles the ball. NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, David McCreery, Northern Ireland (1982). NASL Quotes: "Only 50 percent of my job is on the field - the rest is public relations. My job is an entertaining job. It is not enough here to have good results on the field. I must have good results and I also must tell the people about those good results. In your American football and baseball, the fans give opinions on what they see. Not so in soccer. They don't know soccer. Everybody doesn't have an opinion about the technicalities of soccer. So in soccer here in Washington, I am more of an entertainer." - Johan Cruyff, midfielder, Washington Diplomats Praying for Pele! NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Pelé, Brazil (1958-62-66-70)
The great Nigerian star Andy Atuegbu was an amazing midfielder for the University of San Francisco in the 70s. While Howard from the east coast won the NCAA title in 1974 the USF Dons won the NCAA championship in two of Atuegbu's four seasons from 1975 and 1976. He was so good that he was selected as all American during the 1976 NCAA championship and I believe the other 2 years as well.
NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, David Harvey, Scotland (1974). NASL Fans: Rodney Marsh / Tampa Bay Rowdies NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Antonio Simoes, Portugal (1966). MISL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Lesław Ćmikiewicz, Poland (1974). Happy 68th birthday to Northern Ireland international Billy Caskey (number 12), the fierce forward who scored 92 career goals in 3 stints with Glentoran and also excelled at Derby County (1978-80), but went on loan to the Tulsa Roughnecks in 1980 and was at his best, scoring 22 goals in 128 games over 4 NASL seasons and helping Tulsa won Soccer Bowl '83 despite missing the final with a broken leg, and later spent the 1985-86 MISL season with the Dallas Sidekicks, contributing 26 goals before being expelled from the league for assaulting a referee in the playoffs. NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Carlos Babington, Argentina (1974). Happy 77th birthday to Colin Boulton, the rock-solid goalkeeper who led Derby County to English League titles in 1972 and 1975 and the FA Charity Shield in 1975, then transferred to the NASL in 1978 and helped the newly formed Tulsa Roughnecks reach the post-season by tying for the league lead with 10 shutouts and ultimately made 58 appearances in 2 seasons, finishing up with the Los Angeles Aztecs in 1979. Did You Know? The Tampa Bay Rowdies sold star striker Oscar Fabbiani to Everton of Chile midway through the 1981 NASL season for $250,000 in order that he would be in consideration for Chile's national team. But Everton quickly defaulted on the payments, forcing Tampa Bay to file a complaint with FIFA. FIFA, however, referred the case to the Chilean federation, which resolved the matter by suspending Fabbiani for a year - leaving him ineligible for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. "It was crazy," Fabbiani said. "Just crazy. Why was I being penalized? I didn't do anything. And I lost out on the World Cup in the process." NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Jimmy Johnstone, Scotland (1974).
Happy 70th birthday to U.S. international Paul Child, the British-born striker who developed through the Aston Villa youth system but spent virtually his entire pro career in North America, leading the NASL in scoring in 1974 and ranking among the all-time leading goalscorers in both the NASL (102 goals / 5th place) and MISL (266 goals / 12th place), earning 2 all-NASL selections and playing in the 1985 MISL All Star Game, and gaining election to the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2003. Happy 77th birthday to The Netherlands international Peter Ressel, the high-scoring winger who won the Dutch league title and UEFA Cup with Feyenoord (1974) and the European Cup Winners' Cup with Anderlecht in 1976 and again in 1978 along with the Belgian Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in 1976, but who also spent 3 productive seasons in the NASL, bagging a combined 26 goals in 87 games with the San Jose Earthquakes (1978) and the Chicago Sting (1979-80) NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Colin Bell, England (1970). NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Peter Osgood, England (1970). NASL Dateline: On 8 December 1981, Giorgio Chinaglia scored a league-record 7 goals to kick off the New York Cosmos 1st-ever NASL Indoor season in a 14-10 win over the Chicago Sting before 13,983 at Brendan Byrne Arena in the Meadowlands. NASL Dateline: On 8 December 1981, the Portland Timbers claimed forward Ron Futcher (pictured) in the NASL Dispersal Draft of players from the defunct Minnesota Kicks franchise. Other players claimed were midfielder Tim Twellman (Tulsa), goalkeeper Tino Lettieri (Vancouver) and goalkeeper Randy Phillips (Tulsa). Toronto also claimed assistant coach Tommy Scallen and named him as assistant general manager. Happy 81st birthday to England international Geoff Hurst (number 11), the only player ever to score a hat trick in a FIFA World Cup final when he staked England to victory in 1966, who scored 222 goals for West Ham (1959-72), Stoke City (1972-75) and West Bromwich Albion (1975-76), appeared in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, then transferred to the Seattle Sounders in 1976 and notched 8 goals and 4 assists in 23 games, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. Happy 72nd birthday to David Cross, the English striker whose steady output over 18 seasons buoyed major clubs like Norwich City (21 goals), Coventry City (29 goals), West Bromwich Albion (18 goals), Manchester City (12 goals) and West Ham United (78 goals) -- and helped the Hammers win the 1980 FA Cup -- then played 2 NASL seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps (1983-84) and contributed 29 goals in 46 matches, leading Vancouver to the league's best record (24-6) in 1983 and earning all-NASL honors. NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Jim Holton, Scotland (1974). NASL World Cup: With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar underway, it is worth remembering how many World Cup stars over the years came to compete in North America. For instance, Robert Gadocha, Poland (1974).