Well, at least the Roots figured pretty quickly where their bread would be buttered. That may keep them from joining the Deltas on the large but less quickly growing pile of carcasses of dead American soccer teams.
The 90s in US Soccer (OK, really in soccer worldwide) was pretty interesting. I'd still love to see the US bring back a throwback 1994 kit for a friendly, but I'm sure Nike could never get the design from Adidas. And those MLS nicknames - who can forget Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann talking about the Wiz and the Burn on SportsCenter . . .
Even if they had wanted to do this, I don't think they could have. They would have had to pay double/triple the going rate to players to play for the team. Star players who would be part of the "best team in North America" don't want to play for a second division team in any league - despite whether or not the name recognition brings a tear to their daddy's eye. You're looking at late career players looking to cash in, not young up and coming stars. It was a flawed idea to begin with. Yes it would've been doable, but where Atlas, Saprissa, or the Galaxy could've spent 30-40 million, the Cosmos would've had to shell out double that amount. Everybody has a price, but they'd have to overpay for everyone - and pretty much everyone under the age of 32 not actually getting playing time is likely going to be look to be sold.
Rayo was start of NASL 2.0 demise, I think it was when Gulati began to realize that they were just winging it at that point. The Delta's sealed the deal IMO.
If you want to relive some US soccer from the 90s and haven't done so already. I strongly recommend listening to Roger Bennett's excellent "American Fiasco" podcast centered on the 1998 World Cup but starting way before that.
Looking back, the MLS Reserves partnership was really the tipping point for NASL v USL. NASL was, as you said, somewhat stable, meanwhile the USL was stumbling through with the disasterous "International Division" and poorly vetted expansion teams like FC New York and VSI Tampa Bay. Then when USL partnered with MLS, it flipped. USL stabilized, added solid teams in expasnion. NASL had a few solid teams added, but more unstable one-and-dones, and most of those solid additions would end up switching to USL.
This is a major distinction that many NASL navel gazers tend to miss. The team names that continued to have an active presence in their markets via continuations/revivals post-NASL are the ones that have cache in their markets to this day, whereas markets where the NASL team name died with the league or had no revivals after the original NASL franchise folded post-NASL, the NASL team names are a relic of the past. Same reason that the Seattle Kraken NHL team was never going to be the Seattle Metropolitans, despite the historical significance of a pre-NHL Stanley Cup winning team. There had never been an attempt to revive the name after the orignal Seattle Metropolitans folded, and in more recent years the names Totems and Thunderbirds had stronger association with hockey in Seattle. Contrast that with outdoor soccer where, other than a brief stint in the late 80s/early 90s, if Seattle had an active pro soccer team, it was called the Sounders.
I know Roger Bennett is probably better known for his antics on Men in Blazers (which I enjoy - it’s not terribly deep analysis, but I always feel better after listening to them). But he’s a VERY good documentarian/interviewer. American Fiasco was captivating.
You know , I see daily Facebook posts talking about , reminiscing and recalling the old NASL stories and memories from players and fans alike about the old league are constant. The discussions seem to be in abundance and a lot more livelier , intense and exciting than any of the current MLS ones and they are coming from all around the country and world. Even though the league died 36 years ago, I don't think its as dead in most soccer fans mind's as many people in this thread have been suggesting. If anyone was alive at that time, there is no way that you can't be thinking about that league. Also, Chico Borja was one of the posters who was commenting in those threads and sadly, he has just passed away at 61 ...RIP! . Former Wichita Wings player Chico Borja passes away at 61 GOODBYE, CHICO: Former Cosmos, USMNT player Borja ...
Thank you and stay safe, Cosmos Country. pic.twitter.com/GiyNdH6DXN— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) January 29, 2021
They're just setting themselves up to do what they do best. . . . wait for the 2021 NISA season to reach the halfway point then rejoin the league.
Well I'm not sure facebook is the best medium for MLS conversations and the fact it is for NASL 1.0 speaks to the crowd. The conversations may be more interesting for you but the hard numbers point to MLS being a superior league. Also the fact its here and NASL both 1.0 and 2.0 aren't is all you need to know.
Gotta imagine Facebook isn’t exactly the demo MLS is going for compared to other social media venues.
That was Unofficial Pause Mode. This announcement puts them in Official Pause Mode. It's all about the nuance.
I was alive at that time, and I've gotta tell you...sitting as part of 19,000 strong at Allianz Field is a much better experience than sitting in Anaheim Stadium watching the California Surf. "The good days weren't always good...tomorrow's not as bad as it seems." -- B. Joel
Its very still active though and far from being a dead forum. If you go on their pages, there are several which mention the league with many daily posters. Considering the league folded 36 years ago, I'm amazed and the amount of stories and memories that are posted on those pages.... The Surf didn't last long though and are easy to forget. I mean its difficult to remember a 4 year outdoor average attendance of 6,700. I'm sure they are easily forgettable. They had great players though with Steve Moyers , Carlos Alberto ., Peter Wall, Al Trost and Alan Mayer.
If something definitive happens on the NASL lawsuit this year that might influence the Cosmos' fate, it will be a decision on NASL and USSF's respective motions for summary judgment. Briefing is supposed to close by May 24, but that deadline has already been extended once. https://t.co/sKx90ago5D— Steven Bank (@ProfBank) January 29, 2021 (Honestly, wouldn't make sense if Commisso sells the brand than just making sure Jeff Kessler can get richer? I mean, its been four years. Discovery in the case turned up nothing nefarious against US Soccer/MLS. And wouldn't selling the brand be better than seeking monetary damages?)
That's the thing though the NASL had what like 4 solid teams? Everyone else was failing left and right. I get how you remember those times fondly but they pail in comparison to right now. How many NASL teams had their own stadiums? How many NASL teams had attendance over 10k on the average? The NASL had a few great teams and a few all time great players but they failed and failed spectacularly, I can't see who wants to do that again?
Sure of course not. No one wants to go back to those days. I never said that. I'm just saying its still a great memory and those memories created a legacy which are still evident. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for those days and its not something that should not be discounted as many on the boards seem to suggest. As far as attendance, this pandemic isn't doing anything to help soccer in America. Heck if the NASL had an average attendance of 10,000 a game in 1984, that is more than MLS had all last season with their Covid filled season. Let's hope this Coronavirus doesn't start killing franchises and MLS as a rule because I for one would be heartbroken to see another soccer league fold. .
I think part of the experience was being at the massive one-off games against the Cosmos, like 58,128 in Seattle, 45,288 in Tampa, 46,164 in Minnesota and 32,247 in Portland.
Seems like Commisso is unafflicted by the news. Just saw him in the stands at the Fiorentina vs Torino game in Italy.