NASL thread

Thanks for sharing this link Falvo!

What I do like is the salary cap and the spending limit for the "Beckham Rule" player for each team. Live and learn from mistakes (NASL) and I credit MLS for their $ control.

This is an excellent direction for MLS. I just wonder what all of those MLS fans (Who have come into this thread and others) think after they have ripped the NASL for doing the same thing over 20 years ago by bringing in players at the tail end of their careers. This is what I see happening as the limit of spending for the "Beckham Rule" player probably won't be attracting young, in their prime players as the article mentions.

 

Hey no problem! Anyway, I seriously doubt a lot of those "other fans" you mention ever really saw an NASL match or for that matter, were even born yet. Its easy to rip something when they know absolutely nothing about it.

Again I want to state that if it weren't' for the NASL, there probably would not have been mainstream soccer played in this country, there wouldn't have been much of a national team program, a World Cup in this country or for that matter, an MLS. As the article in Four Four Two stated last January, the NASL a failure, no more like a legacy.

 

This is by far the best thread on big soccer.

For the Dutch contingent, how about Wim Van Hanagan who played with the Sting.

Also, the reason that the NASL folded was due to an anti soccer conspiracy in the US.

 

Or what about Dutch national team sweeper Wim Suurbier who played in the 74 & 78 World Cups Final matches against W. GMY & Aregentina? He played for LA & SJ. A world class defender who very few could beat.

 

Everyone thinks that NASL players were washups. That is totally wrong. Many players went back to Europe or other countries and played competitively for some more years.

Was Beckenbauer washed up when he was in the NASL. How about Bogicevic? The list goes on and on.

 

Franz went back to play for Hamburg and so did Dick Advocat. I remember Dick coming back to play with a Dutch team against the Quakes in 1982 in an exhibition at Spartan Stadium and Tony Crescitelli scored for the Quakes. It was offside but the ref thought the NASL instilled 35 yard line was being used so the goal supposedly stood up.I think Peter Nogly came in his prime from Hamburg to play for the Edmonton Drillers. Ruud Krol actually left Vanvcouver & went back to play for Napoli in the pre Maradona years. I think he was praised for his play at Napoli.

 

Falvo,
Exactly, what is funny about Advocaat is that he looks about the same now as he did back then. He was bald back in the seventies. Great player who had a lot of hustle.

I forgot about Krol.

How about Johan Neeskens, or did someone mention him already.

 

Its funny how Neeskens was a far better player in the NASL & the world for that matter. Much better than Gus Hiddink ever was but you saw Neeskens as Hiddink's assistant coach for the Aussie's. Neeskens kept the Cosmos mid together along with Beckenbauer.

 

I think that this is a stretch... Trust me, no one enjoyed the NASL more than I did. However, the two main reasons the NASL folded were:

1. Owners who knew nothing about the sport and were looking to cash in on a sport that had the potential to take off. Most of the NASL owners were looking at low-medium $ risk and were looking to profit in year one. They were idiots. (Note: I credit MLS for taking greater control of their franchises. Although, I still believe MLS has too much control. The "Beckham Rule" is a step in the right direction!). The NASL needed more owners like Lee Stern. Simply put.

2. The New York Costmosts.

 

The best of these IMO was Peter Beardsley who left Vancouver of the NASL and starred in England for many years thereafter.

 

The same can be said for Vancouver Whitecap gk Bruce Grobelar who went onto to star at Liverpool.

 

From the New York Times:

 

In addition to Sanchez, didn't either Tab Ramos or Roy Wegerle have a cup of coffee with the NASL? (Not sure, just thought I had heard that).

 

Roy Wegerle played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the NASL in 1984 & for both Colorado & Tampa Bay of the MLS from 96-98.

 

Also, Frank Klopas played both MLS Chicago Fire and NASL Chicago Sting.

 

Although Klopas may have only played indoor.

 

I believe Frank Klopas signed for the Chicago Sting of the NASL straight out of high school, but an injury made him miss out their final outdoor season. Klopas played indoor for the Sting in the MISL for 4 seasons..

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Wegerle

 

I always like the Rowdies logo.
Tampa Bay Rowdies

 

Someone posted this on the Quakes thread but I think it belongs here also.....

From memory, Left to right standing Laurie Calloway, Mark Demling, Mike Ivanow, Mike Hewitt, don't know the blond guy?, #14 John Rowlands, Paul Child, Dr. Mayfiled-Harris? , Owner Milan Mandaric,
sitting in the front row, from left to right Trainer Dave Oby Obeneur, , Miro Pavlovich, #19 I want to say Art Welch?,#2Buzz Demling, #8 Johnny Moore, #6????, Dave Kemp, #25 I think its Terry Weeks, #15 Ilija Mitic, Mark Liveric, #5 Gabbo Gavric

 

For team photo's covering 7 of the 10 San Jose Earthquake NASL seasons, and 2 indoor seasons click below:


Click here for NASL San Jose Earthquakes Team Photos

 

He played for DC United (where he won a championship in 1997) between the Rapids and Mutiny.

 

Hey Ron do you know where exactly the Germans lived in 1979? I know Johnny Moore ,Mani Hernandez lived near or close to the Willow Glen area & I remember George Best wasliving in sheik Saratoga making $50k a year & Laurie Calloway I think was in Los Gatos I believe, but I never knew where everyone else lived. Do you know?

 

Most of the players lived in the Oakwood Apartments on the corner of Saratoga Avenue and 280.