Earthquakes history -- NASL style!, Part 2

Happy 72nd 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.



Van der Elst was one of the best wingers of his generation, winning titles in Europe and North America, reaching the UEFA European Championship final and playing in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Born on 7 December 1954, Van der Elst (number 20) already had 2 European Cup Winners' Cup trophies and a pair of European Super Cup wins to his name with Anderlecht when he jumped to New York midway through the 1980 NASL season, and his 6 goals and 5 assists in just 13 games were enough to help New York cruise to the Soccer Bowl '80 title. He was even better in 1981 as the Cosmos swept to another championship final. A big-money return to Europe and West Ham followed, and he closed out his glittering career with Lokeren in 1986. Sadly, Van der Elst suffered heart failure in 2017 and died 10 days after being placed in a coma. He was 62.




NCAA Dateline: On 7 December 1975, San Francisco University won its 2nd NCAA title by defeating SIU-Edwardsville, 4-0, before 4,400 at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Illinois.



NCAA Dateline: On 5 December 1976, the University of San Francisco won its 3rd national title -- and 2nd in a row -- by defeating Indiana, 1-0, before 5,981 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. All American midfielder Andy Atuegbu of the Dons was selected as the top offensive player of the tournament.








NASL Merchandise: The San Jose Earthquakes are selling retro 50th anniversary gear including hats, scarves and t-shirts.



Happy 74th 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







NASL Dateline: On 5 December 1981, the NASL's 3rd indoor season began with 13 teams and an abbreviated 18-game schedule designed more to keep players from jumping to the MISL than building an indoor brand. Juli Veee (number 22) won the MISL MVP Award and Playoff MVP Award and led the San Diego Sockers to a 2-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rowdies en route to their first-ever NASL Indoor title, sparking a domination that would continue throughout the decade.




NASL Action: Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Stewart Scullion stretches to control the ball as Portland Timbers defender Barrie Lynch gets set in Soccer Bowl '75 at Spartan Stadium.

 

I was at this game.

It was played on Sunday afternoon, June 29th, 1980 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose.

The Quakes hosted and beat the California Surf at home by a score of 5–1.

The goals came from Slavko Licinar, George Best, Steve David, and two goals from Peter Lechermann.

After the game, the loudspeaker played the song; “Nobody does It Better”


NASL Action:

San Jose Earthquakes teammates Steve David, Peter Lechermann and George Best celebrate a goal at Spartan Stadium.

 

I really wish that I'd been able to watch Best play in person. The fact that he achieved what he did in spite of rampant alcoholism is almost unbelievable.

 

Soccer in the 1970s:

The San Jose Earthquakes team van cut a sharp figure driving up and down the Monterey Highway in 1977.

 

I need a Quakes VW vintage bus. Need!

 

San Jose Earthquakes Cheerleaders

 

Happy 77th birthday to U.S. international Mike Ivanow, the University of San Francisco All-American goalkeeper who played in the first 2 games of the 1972 Olympics, then joined the NASL in 1974 and amassed 11 shutouts over an 8-year career that included 42 games with the San Jose Earthquakes and 35 games with the Seattle Sounders -- which included the run to the Soccer Bowl '77 final -- and 2 MISL seasons with the Wichita Wings (1979-80, 1984-85).



NASL Dateline: On 7 January 1982, the New York Cosmos terminated the contract of coach Hennes Weisweiler after 2 NASL seasons for "failing to develop young players" -- according to a statement by the club -- even though he reached the Soccer Bowl final in both years.



NASL Memories: Jado Hasanbegović was a Bosnian striker who was often known simply by his first name - "Jado" - and spent a decade in the Yugoslavian league then jumped to North America in 1975 and never looked back. Born on 8 January 1948, Jado joined the expansion San Antonio Thunder (1975) and went on to score 11 goals in 5 seasons with the Connecticut Bicentennials (1977), Oakland Stompers (1978), Chicago Sting (1978-79) and Memphis Rogues (1979-80). Sadly, Jado died in 2023 at the age of 75.



MISL Dateline: On 8 January 1986, Steve Zungul notched 5 points to lead the San Diego Sockers to their 5th straight win with an 8-2 victory over the Tacoma Stars.






NASL Action: Tulsa Roughnecks midfielder Iraj Danaifard and defender David Nish try to squeeze out Detroit Express forward Trevor Francis at the Silverdome.



NASL Dateline: On 8 January 1978, Hungarian national team stars József Horváth and László Harsányi requested asylum for themselves and their families in Switzerland after defecting from Hungary. Both players were quickly recruited by Yugoslavian coach Don Popovic and landed in North America, with Horváth (pictured) playing for the Rochester Lancers (1978), Buffalo Stallions (1979-80), Washington Diplomats (1979-80), San Jose Earthquakes (1980-81) and New Jersey Rockets (1981-82), while Harsányi turned out for the San Diego Sockers (1978-79), New York Arrows (1979-80), Rochester Lancers (1980) and Baltimore Blast (1980-81).



MISL Dateline: On 8 January 1983, the Golden Bay Earthquakes purchased the contract of the forward Gordon Hill from the Chicago Sting. Hill had scored 10 goals in Chicago's first 11 indoor games.



NASL Action: Chicago Sting forward Ricardo Alonso gets tangled up with Fort Lauderdale Strikers defender Alexander Szatmari as Chicago's Karl-Heinz Granitza and Fort Lauderdale's Thomas Rongen prepare to step in at Soldier Field.




Did You Know? Croatian defender Ivan Buljan won league titles in 3 countries: Yugoslavia (Hadjuk Split, 1971, 1974, 1975)), West Germany (Hamburger SV, 1979) and the United States (New York Cosmos, 1982)

 

Happy 68th birthday to U.S. international Tony Crescitelli, the Italian-American striker who set Division III scoring records at North Adams State College and was taken 36th overall in the 1979 NASL Draft, then embarked on a 6-year outdoor career with the Washington Diplomats (1979-80), San Jose Earthquakes (1981-82), Team America (1983) and Tulsa Roughnecks (1984) that included a breakout 15-goal season in 1981 in addition to indoor stops with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1979-80) and Buffalo Stallions (1983-84).

 

New book. Author with Johnny Moore, 1/12/25.

 

Invite for Giorgio's Chinaglia farewell dinner at Windows on the World 1983. Signed by 3 World Cup winners, one player who played in two World Cup finals and the king of the NASL .

 

NASL Legends: "Krazy George" Henderson, Johnny Moore and Dave Obenour




NASL Art:

English legend Bobby Moore got Sunday funnies coverage when he joined the San Antonio Thunder.




NASL Dateline: On 13 January 1983, the Vancouver Whitecaps signed free agent midfielder Flemming Lund.…



NASL Dateline: On 12 January 1983, new Seattle Sounders owners Bruce Anderson and Jerry Horn completed their purchase of a majority stake in the franchise and promptly fired coach Alan Hinton, declaring the team would shed its British image and henceforth play "American soccer" - marketed as red, white, black and blue.



MISL Dateline: On 11 January 1982, Steve Zungul and Omar Gomez each scored twice and the New York Arrows held the New Jersey Rockets scoreless in the 1st half en route to their 3rd win in 3 games against their cross-state rival in a 7-2 win before 6,518 at the Naussau Coliseum






Happy 70th birthday to Brooks Cryder, the American defender who starred at Philadelphia Textile and was selected with the 8th overall pick of the 1976 NASL Draft by the Philadelphia Atoms, but chose to play 2 ASL seasons instead with the Tacoma Tides (1976) and Los Angeles Skyhawks (1977), then joined the NASL's Philadelphia Fury for 40 games over 2 seasons (1978-79) and closed out his career indoors with the Cleveland Force (1979-80) and Philadelphia Fever (1980-81).…

 

Soccer in the 1970s:

San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Johnny Moore and New York Cosmos forward Pelé share a moment prior to kick-off at Spartan Stadium.



Soccer in the 1970s: Pelé prepares to lead Brian Rowan and the rest of the New York Cosmos on to the field.…



NASL Dateline:

On 17 January 1974, the NASL admitted the San Jose Earthquakes as its 14th franchise for the upcoming season. Owned by Milan Mandaric, a 35‐year‐old electronics expert from Yugoslavia, the franchise also hired former Stanford quarterback Dick Berg as its general manager and announced that most home games would be played at Spartan Stadium, although some matches would be staged in Oakland and San Francisco as well.




NASL National Team: Hugo Sanchez, Mexico



NASL Fans: Brian Schmetzer & Mark Peterson / Seattle Sounders



Soccer in the 1970s:

The San Diego Sockers either agreed to endorse Coca-Cola products or all got thirsty at the same time.



NASL Merchandise: Minnesota Kicks bumper sticker



MISL Merchandise: New York Arrows bumper sticker



NASL Action:

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Trevor Whymark lines up the defensive wall for a New York Cosmos free kick at Giants Stadium.



NASL Memories: Wim Suurbier was an elite defender whose ability to move forward and drive the offense ensured the Dutch "Total Football" concept could work. Born on 15 January 1945, Suurbier was a FIFA World Cup finalist in 1974 and 1978 for The Netherlands and a 3-time European Cup winner with Ajax who jumped to the NASL in 1979 and made 96 appearances over the next 4 seasons for the Los Angeles Aztecs (1979-81) and San Jose Earthquakes (1982), earning all-NASL honors in 1979. Suurbier became a top coach after retiring in 1983, leading the Tulsa Roughnecks in 1984 NASL season and later working in the AISA. Sadly, Suurbier died in 2020 at the age of 74

 

NASL Memories: Jean Willrich (San Diego Sockers), Rudy Glenn (Chicago Sting), Frantz Mathieu (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Kaz Deyna (San Diego Sockers) and Fernando Clavijo (Golden Bay Earthquakes) huddle up with Chicago Sting coach Willy Roy prior to the 1984 NASL Indoor All Star Game. (Photo courtesy Markus Roy)



Happy 67th birthday to Carl Strong, the American defensive midfielder who starred at James Madison University, then built a 7-year NASL career that included 5 goals in 128 games with the Colorado Caribous (1978), Atlanta Chiefs (1979-81), Portland Timbers (1982) and Fort Lauderdale / Minnesota Strikers (1983-84).



Did You Know? English striker Peter Ward was the top scorer for his club in 3 straight NASL seasons: Seattle Sounders (1982-83) and Vancouver Whitecaps (1984) - racking up 47 goals in those years.



NASL Fans: Willem van Hanegem / Chicago Sting
















NASL Legends: Manny Schellscheidt (with Bruce Arena)

 

NASL Quotes:

"You can play a record for the National Anthem or you can have Lou Rawls sing it. A first-time soccer fan might not be totally enthralled with the game itself the first time out. But if he can go away thinking, 'Hey, I saw John Davidson,' that might make the day for him. He'll be back again."

-- Dick Berg, general manager, Oakland Stompers



Did You Know? The cover art of Colin Fowles and Ray Hudson that adorned the Fort Lauderdale Strikers' 1979 media guide was the work of Ted Watts, the famed Kansas sports painter whose work comprised 6,000 pieces of finished art, including approximately 1,250 illustrations for magazines, books, gameday programs, and media guides; 1,500 paintings and portraits; 95 limited edition art prints; and 600 posters and calendars - yet this is believed to be his only soccer painting.








Happy 71st birthday to Gene DuChateau, the All-American goalkeeper who led Adelphi University to the Division II NCAA title in 1974 and was taken with the 21st overall pick of the 1976 NASL Draft by the Hartford Bicentennials, then built a 5-year NASL career that featured 13 career shutouts with Hartford / Connecticut (1976-77), the Oakland Stompers (1978), Memphis Rogues (1979) and Tulsa Roughnecks (1979-80).




NASL Memories: Fernando Clavijo was a hard-working Uruguayan-American defender whose career spanned more than 30 years and included the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 1992 FIFA Futsal World Championship, 4 MISL championships, and high-profile stints as a coach at the club and international level that made him a top American ambassador for the game. Born on 23 January 1956, Clavijo was a successful player in his native Uruguay when he quit at the age of 22 and moved to the U.S. with his family, taking a job in a New Jersey restaurant and playing amateur soccer until friends convinced him to go pro again. Clavijo ultimately made 40 appearances in 2 NASL seasons with the Golden Bay Earthquakes (1983-84) -- earning all-NASL honors in 1984 -- and spent 12 seasons in the MISL, winning titles with the New York Arrows (1982) and San Diego Sockers (1985-86, 1988) and appearing in 7 MISL All Star Games. Upon retirement, Clavijo's coaching stops included the MISL's St. Louis Storm (1991), MLS clubs the New England Revolution (2000-02) and Colorado Rapids (2005-08), along with the Haitian national team (2003-05). Clavijo was elected to both the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame (2005) and the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame (2014) but sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 63.






Soccer in the 1970s: New York Cosmos star Pelé makes a grand entrance





NASL Head Shots: New York Cosmos, 1977



NASL Memories: Clive Griffiths was a wily defender who bridged the earliest days of the NASL renaissance and the heyday of the MISL. Born on 22 January 1955, Griffiths (pictured at right) was a Manchester United youth product who was loaned to the expansion Chicago Sting in 1975 as a 20-year old and went on to play 138 games over 6 NASL seasons with Chicago (1975-79) and the Tulsa Roughnecks (1980), then added another 5 MISL seasons with the Chicago Horizons (1980-81) and Kansas City Comets (1981-85). Diagnosed with cancer in 1983, Griffiths made headlines by continuing to play while receiving chemotherapy. Sadly, Griffiths passed away in 2022 after a long illness at the age of 67.