The 1996 USISL Professional League was the second highest of the three outdoor men's leagues run by the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues during the summer of 1996.
Overview This season, USISL created a higer caliber professional league called the Select League. Several 1995 Pro League teams moved up and did not compete in the 1996 Pro League.
The USISL aligned its rules with other soccer leagues including the newly created Major Soccer League. Previously USISL had used 60 minute halves and a penalty shot for every foul committed after the seventh foul of each half but these rules were eliminated for the 1996 season. The USISL also changed its regular season points system to award three points for a win and one point for a shootout win.Owners limit rule changes The average pay for Pro League players was $200 per week. The regular season began in mid-April 1996.
Prime Network provided live broadcast of the USISL All Star Game and delayed broadcast of the Pro League championship game.USISL: TV Deal With Prime Announced
All Star Game The USISL held its All Star Game on July 17 in Blaine, Minnesota. The game pitted the USISL Select League All Stars against a team composed of USISL Professional League and USISL Premier League players. The league coaches voted to select the players.USISL: rosters for 1996 All-Star game Players from the USISL Professional League included Goalkeeper Randy DeDini of the Chico Rooks, Defenders Paul Edwards (North Jersey Imperials) and Guy Norcott (Charleston Battery); Midfielders Craig Beeson (Everett BigFoot) and Pat O'Kelly (Central Jersey); Forwards Victor Medina (D/FW Toros) and Jon Payne (Charlotte Eagles).
Regular season Regulation win = 3 points Shootout win (SW) = 1 points Loss = 0 points
Northeast Conference
South Atlantic Conference
Central Conference
Western Conference
Playoffs The Mobile Revelers made the playoffs despite having only eleven points. This happened because the South Atlantic Conference had four guaranteed play-off spots. The Charleston Battery received a bye into the playoffs as host of the championship final. Therefore, the league went to the Revelers as the next South Atlantic Conference team in line.
Conference semifinals North Jersey Imperials 3-1 Rhode Island Stingrays Charlotte Eagles 1-0 Mobile Revelers (forfeit) Wilmington Hammerheads 3-1 Washington Mustangs D/FW Toros 1-0 (SO) Houston Hurricanes Tulsa Roughnecks 3-2 (SO) Rockford Raptors Chico Rooks 3-0 Valley Golden Eagles Everete BigFoot 2-1 Hawaii Tsunami
Conference finals
Northeast Conference
North Jersey Imperials advanced to Sizzlin' Six finals.
South Atlantic Conference
Wilmington Hammerheads advanced to the Sizzlin' Six finals.
Central Conference
Originally planned for August 17, the second game was postponed until Sunday morning, August 18, because of heavy rainfall and flooding which rendered the playing field unusable on Saturday.
D/FW Toros advanced to the Sizzlin' Six finals.
Western Conference
Chico Rooks advanced to Sizzlin' Six finals.
Sizzlin' Six Tournament The Sizzlin’ Six Tournament was a six-team, two group, round robin tournament. Each of the four conference champions entered the tournament, along with national finals host Charleston Battery and the Charlotte Eagles who had the best regular-season record among the conference runners-up.
Each team received 3 points for a win, 1 for a tie and 1 bonus point for each game in which they scored three or more goals. The top two teams in each group with the most points advanced to the semifinals in Charleston, South Carolina.
Group A
Group B
Semifinals
Final
Points leaders RankScorerClubGoalsAssistsPoints1 Philibert Jones Charlotte Eagles 1820452 Patrick Olalere Charleston Battery205453 Craig Beeson Everette BigFoot172364 Jon Payne Charlotte Eagles148365 Carlos Rocha Rhode Island Stingrays143336 Robert DeLuca North Jersey Imperials 143317 Pat O'Kelly North Jersey Imperials 12630
Honors MVP: Craig Beeson Points leader: Patrick Olalere Defender of the Year: Guy Norcott Goalkeeper of the Year: Chris Carmiento Rookie of the Year: Juan Sastoque Coach of the Year: Nuno Piteira Organization of the Year: Reading Rage
All-League: Goalkeeper: Randy Dedini Defenders: Guy Norcott, Tom Finley, Desmond Armstrong Midfielders: David Price, Pat O'Kelly, Carlos Rocha Forward: Craig Beeson, Patrick Olalere, Jimmy Wright, Philibert Jones
USISL: 1996 Postseason Awards
External links United Soccer Leagues (RSSSF) The Year in American Soccer - 1996
References