The American Soccer League has been a name used by four different professional soccer sports leagues in the United States. The second American Soccer League was established in summer 1933 following the collapse of the original American Soccer League, which lasted from 1921 until spring 1933. The new league was created on a smaller scale and with smaller budgets. This league existed until over-expansion and financial limitations led to its collapse in 1983. Two successor leagues later operated.
In the fall of 1933, the second American Soccer League was established, surviving until 1983. Like the original ASL, this league operated primarily in the Northeastern United States for much of its existence. The league grew to become inter-regional in 1972 by adding several teams from the Midwest; the Chicago Americans, Cincinnati Comets, Cleveland Stars, Detroit Mustangs, and St. Louis Frogs. In order to compete with the growing North American Soccer League, the ASL went national in 1976, expanding to the Western United States by adding teams in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Tacoma. In addition, Bob Cousy was hired as commissioner and the league changed the standings scoring system to more closely resemble the NASL. ASL teams were awarded 5 points for a win, 2 points for a tie, and 1 point for each goal up to a maximum of 3 per game. The NASL awarded 6 points for a win and 3 for a tie, with 1 for each goal up to 3 per game. The ASL also had a limit on the number of foreign players each team could have in an effort to gain popularity among American fans.
While this expansion gave the ASL national exposure, the league and teams were no match financially for the NASL. On rare occasions, an ASL team would outbid a NASL team for a recognizable player, but more often than not, the better players in the ASL were offered more money to jump to the NASL. The high point in the history of the league may have been the 1976 championship game between the Los Angeles Skyhawks and New York Apollo; Skyhawks won 2–1 in front of over 9,000 fans. But by 1979, attendance was down, every team was losing money, and the league finally folded in 1983. After the ASL II ceased operations, several of its teams formed the original United Soccer League, which played seasons in 1984 and 1985.
Brooklyn Hispano (1933/34-55/56, as Hispano F.C. for first 7 games of 1933/34 season, merged with Brooklyn F.C. to become Brooklyn Hispano, as Brooklyn Giants in 1941/42, as Brooklyn Red Devils in 1941/42-42/43)
Brooklyn Wanderers (1942/43-48/49, franchise purchased by Hakoah A.C. 2 games into 1948/49 season; former St. Mary's Celtic franchise)
Brooklyn Hakoah (1948/49-55/56, purchased Brooklyn Wanderers franchise two games into 1948/49 season; merged with New York Americans to become New York Hakoah after 1955/56 season)
Brooklyn Italians (1956/57-60/61, merged with Inter S.C. to become Inter-Brooklyn Italians after 1960/61 season)
Galicia-Honduras (1933/34-61/62, as New York Brookhattan in 1933/34-37/38; as Brookhattan in 1938/39-56/57; as Brookhattan-Galicia in 1957/58-58/59; as Galicia S.C. in 1958/59-60/61, merged with non-league Honduras after 1960/61 season)
Philadelphia Ukrainians (1957/58-63/64, 1965/66-70, as Ukrainian Nationals in 1957/58-63/64 & 1965/66-67/68; replaced Philadelphia Ukrainians during 1957/58 season)
Uhrik Truckers (1933/34-64/65, as Philadelphia German-Americans in 1933/34-40/41; as Philadelphia Americans in 1941/42-53/54; became Uhrik Truckers in February 1953/54 season)
Worcester Astros (1967/68-75, as Fall River Astros from 1967/68-68; as Boston Astros in 1968–75; moved to Worcester at end of 1975 season)
Notes
^St. Michael's won a first half playoff game over the Scandinavians. That game was ordered to be replayed during the league's second half. The replay never occurred and the league's second half ended after only one more game was played.
References
^Collins, George M. (November 5, 1941). "Soccer Snaps". The Boston Globe. p. 23.
^Collins, George M. (November 5, 1941). "St Mike's Faces Scans on Sunday to Decide Title". The Boston Globe. p. 28.
^"Soccer Snaps". The Boston Globe. February 5, 1942. p. 20.
^"Soccer Snaps". The Boston Globe. February 18, 1942. p. 22.
^"Soccer Snaps". The Boston Globe. February 20, 1942. p. 22.
^"10 Oct 1974, 68 - The Boston Globe at". Newspapers.com. October 10, 1974. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
^Graham, William (September 2, 1942). "Two Flatbush Soccer Squads Combine Forces". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 14.
^Graham, William (September 9, 1942). "State Soccer Election Meeting Set For Saturday". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 14.
^"St. Louis Frogs Take Plunge In Soccer Circuit". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 7, 1972. p. 5C. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
^Wharton, Tom (August 3, 1976). "American Soccer League Expels Utah Spikers". Salt Lake City Tribune. p. 17. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
^"New franchise awarded, Spikers now Pioneers". The Daily Spectrum (Saint George Utah). August 10, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
External links
March 05, 2023
american, soccer, league, 1933, 1983, other, uses, american, soccer, league, disambiguation, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, includes, li. For other uses see American Soccer League disambiguation This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations September 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources American Soccer League 1933 1983 news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message The American Soccer League has been a name used by four different professional soccer sports leagues in the United States The second American Soccer League was established in summer 1933 following the collapse of the original American Soccer League which lasted from 1921 until spring 1933 The new league was created on a smaller scale and with smaller budgets This league existed until over expansion and financial limitations led to its collapse in 1983 Two successor leagues later operated American Soccer LeagueFounded1933 90 years ago 1933 Folded1983 40 years ago 1983 CountryUnited StatesPromotion toNoneRelegation toNone Contents 1 History 1 1 Champions 1 1 1 1933 34 through 1943 44 1 1 2 1944 45 through 1983 1 2 Complete team list 2 Notes 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditIn the fall of 1933 the second American Soccer League was established surviving until 1983 Like the original ASL this league operated primarily in the Northeastern United States for much of its existence The league grew to become inter regional in 1972 by adding several teams from the Midwest the Chicago Americans Cincinnati Comets Cleveland Stars Detroit Mustangs and St Louis Frogs In order to compete with the growing North American Soccer League the ASL went national in 1976 expanding to the Western United States by adding teams in Los Angeles Oakland Sacramento Salt Lake City and Tacoma In addition Bob Cousy was hired as commissioner and the league changed the standings scoring system to more closely resemble the NASL ASL teams were awarded 5 points for a win 2 points for a tie and 1 point for each goal up to a maximum of 3 per game The NASL awarded 6 points for a win and 3 for a tie with 1 for each goal up to 3 per game The ASL also had a limit on the number of foreign players each team could have in an effort to gain popularity among American fans While this expansion gave the ASL national exposure the league and teams were no match financially for the NASL On rare occasions an ASL team would outbid a NASL team for a recognizable player but more often than not the better players in the ASL were offered more money to jump to the NASL The high point in the history of the league may have been the 1976 championship game between the Los Angeles Skyhawks and New York Apollo Skyhawks won 2 1 in front of over 9 000 fans But by 1979 attendance was down every team was losing money and the league finally folded in 1983 After the ASL II ceased operations several of its teams formed the original United Soccer League which played seasons in 1984 and 1985 Champions Edit 1933 34 through 1943 44 Edit Year Metropolitan Division New England Division Top scorers MVPs1933 34 Irish Americans 1 Fairlawn Rovers 1 Archie Stark amp Razzo Carroll Metro NE Not awarded1934 35 Philadelphia German American 1 Portuguese Sport Club 1 Millard Lang Metro NE 1935 36 New York Americans 1 league dormant Alex Rae Metro 1936 37 Scots Americans 1 Providence S C 1 Charlie Ernst Metro NE 1937 38 Scots Americans 2 Providence S C 2 Fabri Salcedo Metro NE 1938 39 Scots Americans 3 Lusitania Recreation 1 Bert Patenaude Metro NE 1939 40 Scots Americans 4 Swedish Americans 1 Charlie Ernst Metro NE 1940 41 Scots Americans 5 Fall River S C 1 Fabri Salcedo Metro NE 1941 42 Philadelphia Americans 2 St Michael s unofficial note 1 1 2 3 4 5 John Nanoski Metro NE 1942 43 Brooklyn Hispano 1 league dormant Chappie Sheppell Metro 1943 44 Philadelphia Americans 3 Tommy Marshall Metro 1944 45 through 1983 Edit Year Winner number of titles Runners up Top scorer MVP1944 45 Brookhattan 1 Philadelphia Americans John Nanoski Steve Rozbora1945 46 Baltimore Americans 1 Brooklyn Hispano Fabri Salcedo Ray McFaul1946 47 Philadelphia Americans 4 Brooklyn Wanderers Bill Fisher Servile Mervine1947 48 Philadelphia Americans 5 Kearny Scots Nicholas Kropfelder John O Connell1948 49 Philadelphia Nationals 1 New York Americans Pito Villanon John O Connell1949 50 Philadelphia Nationals 2 Kearny Celtic Joe Gaetjens Joe Maca1950 51 Philadelphia Nationals 3 Kearny Celtic Nicholas Kropfelder John Donald1951 52 Philadelphia Americans 6 Kearny Scots Dick Roberts Benny McLaughlin1952 53 Philadelphia Nationals 4 Newark Portuguese Pito Villanon Pito Villanon1953 54 New York Americans 2 Brookhattan Jack Calder Cyril Hannaby1954 55 Uhrik Truckers 7 Brooklyn Hispano John Ferris John Ferris1955 56 Uhrik Truckers 8 Elizabeth Falcons Gene Grabowski Jack Hynes1956 57 New York Hakoah Americans 1 Uhrik Truckers George Brown John Oliver1957 58 New York Hakoah Americans 2 Ukrainian Nationals Lloyd Monsen Walter Kudenko1958 59 New York Hakoah Americans 3 Ukrainian Nationals Pasquale Pepe 17 Yuriy Kulishenko1959 60 Colombo 1 Ukrainian Nationals Mike Noha 16 Andy Racz1960 61 Ukrainian Nationals 1 Falcons S C Herman Niss 17 Mike Noha1961 62 Ukrainian Nationals 2 Inter Brooklyn Italians Peter Millar 18 Peter Millar1962 63 Ukrainian Nationals 3 Inter S C Ismael Ferreyra 14 Peter Millar1963 64 Ukrainian Nationals 4 Boston Metros Walter Chyzowych 15 Abbie Wolanow1964 65 Hartford S C 1 Newark Portuguese Herculiano Riguerdo 7 Alberto Falak1965 66 Roma S C 1 Newark Ukrainian Sitch Walter Chyzowych 27 Walter Chyzowych1966 67 Baltimore St Gerards 1 Newark Ukrainian Sitch Jorge Benitez 16 Myron Worobec1967 68 Ukrainian Nationals 5 New York Inter Ivan Paleto 14 Robert Waugh1968 Washington Darts 1 Rochester Lancers Gerry Browne 12 1969 Washington Darts 2 Syracuse Scorpions Jim Lefkos 22 Robert Waugh1970 Philadelphia Ukrainians 6 Philadelphia Spartans Juan Paletta 6 Willie Mfum Albert Trik1971 New York Greeks 1 Boston Astros Charles Duccilli 11 Bob Hatzos1972 Cincinnati Comets 1 New York Greeks Charles Duccilli 5 Nelson BrizuelaJoseph OqnajacGeorge PulitaJohn Kostakis Ringo Cantillo1973 New York Apollo 2 Cincinnati Comets Eddy Roberts 12 Helio Barbosa1974 Rhode Island Oceaneers 1 New York Apollo Mohammad Attiah 11 6 Ringo Cantillo1975 New York Apollo 3 Boston Astros 1 co champions Jose Neto 23 Jose Neto1976 Los Angeles Skyhawks 1 New York Apollo Jim Hinch 13 Jose Neto Jim Hinch1977 New Jersey Americans 1 Sacramento Spirits Jose Neto 17 Ringo Cantillo1978 New York Apollo 4 Los Angeles Skyhawks Jim Rolland 17 Mike ManciniJose Neto Jim Rolland1979 Sacramento Gold 1 Columbus Magic Poli Garcia 15 Joey Fink Poli Garcia1980 Pennsylvania Stoners 1 Sacramento Gold Mal Roche 17 George Gorleku1981 Carolina Lightnin 1 New York United Billy Boljevic 25 Billy Boljevic1982 Detroit Express 1 Oklahoma City Slickers Andy Chapman 23 Brian Tinnion1983 Jacksonville Tea Men 1 Pennsylvania Stoners Jeff Bourne 17 Peter SimoniniComplete team list Edit Allentown 1938 39 39 40 as Bethlehem Hungarian in 1938 39 folded during 1939 40 season Baltimore S C 1934 35 1941 42 1943 44 47 48 as Canton S C in 1934 35 35 36 Baltimore Americans 1938 39 48 49 as Baltimore German in 1938 39 franchise purchased by league after 3 games of 1948 49 season Baltimore Pompei 1953 54 60 61 as Baltimore Rockets in 1953 54 56 57 Baltimore Flyers 1966 67 67 68 as Baltimore St Gerards in 1966 67 Baltimore Bays 1972 73 as Baltimore Stars in 1972 Boca Juniors 1961 62 63 64 as Inter Brooklyn Italians in 1961 62 as Inter S C in 1962 63 Boston Tigers 1963 64 1965 66 67 68 as Boston Metros in 1963 64 Brooklyn F C 1933 34 merged with Hispano F C after 12 games to become Brooklyn Hispano Brooklyn Celtic 1933 34 34 35 Brooklyn Hispano 1933 34 55 56 as Hispano F C for first 7 games of 1933 34 season merged with Brooklyn F C to become Brooklyn Hispano as Brooklyn Giants in 1941 42 as Brooklyn Red Devils in 1941 42 42 43 Brooklyn Wanderers 1942 43 48 49 franchise purchased by Hakoah A C 2 games into 1948 49 season former St Mary s Celtic franchise Brooklyn Hakoah 1948 49 55 56 purchased Brooklyn Wanderers franchise two games into 1948 49 season merged with New York Americans to become New York Hakoah after 1955 56 season Brooklyn Italians 1956 57 60 61 merged with Inter S C to become Inter Brooklyn Italians after 1960 61 season California Sunshine 1977 80 based in Orange California and Oxnard California Carolina Lightnin 1981 83 Chicago Americans 1972 only played a few games Chicago Cats 1975 76 Cincinnati Comets 1972 75 Cleveland Cobras 1974 1981 as Cleveland Stars in 1972 73 Colombo 1959 60 Columbus Magic 1979 80 Connecticut Yankees 1972 78 as Nor East United in 1972 as Connecticut Wildcats in 1973 74 Dallas Americans 1983 Delaware Wings 1972 74 Detroit Corinthians 1946 Detroit Mustangs 1972 73 as Detroit S C earlier in 1972 Detroit Express 1981 83 Fall River S C 1957 58 62 63 Galicia Honduras 1933 34 61 62 as New York Brookhattan in 1933 34 37 38 as Brookhattan in 1938 39 56 57 as Brookhattan Galicia in 1957 58 58 59 as Galicia S C in 1958 59 60 61 merged with non league Honduras after 1960 61 season Georgia Generals 1982 as Cleveland Stars in 1972 73 as Cleveland Cobras in 1974 81 Golden Gate Gales 1980 based in San Francisco Hartford S C 1964 65 68 as Hartford Kings in 1966 67 amp 1968 Indiana Tigers 1973 74 as Gary Tigers in 1973 Indianapolis Daredevils 1974 79 as Rhode Island Oceaneers in 1974 76 as New England Oceaneers in 1977 Inter S C 1960 61 merged with Brooklyn Italians to become Inter Brooklyn Italians after 1960 61 season Irish Americans 1933 34 51 52 as Kearny Celtic in 1942 43 48 49 franchise purchased by Newark Portuguese 7 games into 1951 52 season Jacksonville Tea Men 1983 Las Vegas Seagulls 1979 Los Angeles Skyhawks 1976 79 Ludlow Lusitano 1955 56 57 58 as Ludlow S C in 1956 57 Miami Americans 1976 80 as New Jersey Americans in 1976 79 Nashville Diamonds 1982 Newark Portuguese 1951 52 62 63 1964 65 67 68 purchased Irish Americans franchise seven games into 1951 52 season Newark Falcons 1954 55 66 67 as Elizabeth Falcons in 1954 55 58 59 as Falcons S C in 1959 60 61 62 as Falcons Warsaw in 1962 63 63 64 Newark Sitch 1962 63 63 64 1965 66 70 as Newark Ukrainian Sitch in 1962 63 68 New Brunswick Hungarian 1963 64 67 68 as New Brunswick Hungarian Americans in 1963 64 66 67 New England Sharks 1981 New Jersey Brewers 1972 75 as New Jersey Shaefer Brewers in 1972 New York Americans 1933 34 55 56 merged with Brooklyn Hakoah to become New York Hakoah after 1955 56 season New York Hakoah Americans 1956 57 63 64 as New York Hakoah in 1956 57 61 62 New York Inter 1965 66 69 as Inter S C in 1965 66 New York United 1971 81 as New York Greeks in 1971 72 as New York Apollo in 1973 79 New York Eagles 1978 79 1981 Oakland Buccaneers later known at Golden Bay Buccaneers 1976 77 Oklahoma City Slickers 1982 83 Olimpia 1965 66 66 67 Paterson F C 1936 37 40 41 as Newark Germans in 1933 34 36 37 moved to Paterson during 1936 37 season as Paterson Caledonian 1936 37 37 38 absorbed amateur Trenton Highlanders after 1937 38 season and moved to Trenton as Trenton Highanders in 1938 39 Pennsylvania Stoners 1979 83 Philadelphia Nationals 1936 37 41 42 as Passon Phillies in 1936 37 40 41 7 8 Philadelphia Nationals 1942 43 53 54 withdrew after 4 games in 1953 54 Philadelphia Ukrainians 1957 58 Philadelphia Ukrainians 1957 58 63 64 1965 66 70 as Ukrainian Nationals in 1957 58 63 64 amp 1965 66 67 68 replaced Philadelphia Ukrainians during 1957 58 season Philadelphia Spartans 1969 73 Phoenix Fire 1980 Pittsburgh Canons 1972 Pittsburgh Miners 1975 Ponta Delgada S C 1951 53 Rochester Lancers 1967 68 69 Rochester Flash 1981 82 Roma S C 1964 65 67 68 Sacramento Gold 1976 80 as Sacramento Spirits in 1976 77 St Louis Frogs 9 1972 St Mary s Celtic 1933 36 41 42 franchise purchased before 1942 43 season and became Brooklyn Wanderers Santa Barbara Condors 1977 Scots Americans 1933 34 52 53 as Kearny Americans in 1941 42 49 50 aka Kearny Scots Southern California Lazers 1978 based in Torrance California Syracuse Suns 1969 71 1973 74 as Syracuse Scorpions in 1969 70 folded after 5 games during 1974 season Tacoma Tides 1976 Trenton Americans 1948 49 50 51 1953 54 54 55 Uhrik Truckers 1933 34 64 65 as Philadelphia German Americans in 1933 34 40 41 as Philadelphia Americans in 1941 42 53 54 became Uhrik Truckers in February 1953 54 season Utah Golden Spikers 1976 expelled from league during 1976 season 10 Utah Pioneers 1976 replaced Golden Spikers played out 1976 season 11 Washington Darts 1967 68 69 as Washington Britannia in 1967 68 Washington Cavaliers 1971 72 as Virginia Capitol Cavaliers in 1971 Worcester Astros 1967 68 75 as Fall River Astros from 1967 68 68 as Boston Astros in 1968 75 moved to Worcester at end of 1975 season Notes Edit St Michael s won a first half playoff game over the Scandinavians That game was ordered to be replayed during the league s second half The replay never occurred and the league s second half ended after only one more game was played References Edit Collins George M November 5 1941 Soccer Snaps The Boston Globe p 23 Collins George M November 5 1941 St Mike s Faces Scans on Sunday to Decide Title The Boston Globe p 28 Soccer Snaps The Boston Globe February 5 1942 p 20 Soccer Snaps The Boston Globe February 18 1942 p 22 Soccer Snaps The Boston Globe February 20 1942 p 22 10 Oct 1974 68 The Boston Globe at Newspapers com October 10 1974 Retrieved June 5 2022 Graham William September 2 1942 Two Flatbush Soccer Squads Combine Forces The Brooklyn Daily Eagle p 14 Graham William September 9 1942 State Soccer Election Meeting Set For Saturday The Brooklyn Daily Eagle p 14 St Louis Frogs Take Plunge In Soccer Circuit St Louis Post Dispatch July 7 1972 p 5C Retrieved November 15 2018 Wharton Tom August 3 1976 American Soccer League Expels Utah Spikers Salt Lake City Tribune p 17 Retrieved August 25 2018 New franchise awarded Spikers now Pioneers The Daily Spectrum Saint George Utah August 10 1976 p 6 Retrieved August 25 2018 External links EditHistorical overview of the Soccer Wars Year by year standings Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title American Soccer League 1933 1983 amp oldid 1126594065, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
