The 1997 USISL A-League was an American Division II league run by the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues during the summer of 1997.
Overview At the end of the 1996 A-League season, the U.S. second division A-League collapsed. Six of the seven teams in the A-League then joined the USISL which had three leagues in 1996, beginning with the third division USISL Select League. With the collapse of the U.S. second division and the transfer of most of its teams to the USISL, the USISL reorganized its divisions to include the new teams. It moved most of the old second division USISL Select League, plus a few new teams, up to a second division level and merged the old A-League teams into this new U.S. second division which was renamed the USISL A-League.
Regular season
Northeast Division
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Pacific Division
Division Semi-finals
Northeast Semifinal 1
Long Island advances to the Division final
Northeast Semifinal 2
Montreal advances to the Division final
Atlantic Semifinal 1
Carolina advances to the Division final
Atlantic Semifinal 2
Hershey advances to the Division final
Central Semifinal 1
New Orleans advances to the Division final
Central Semifinal 2
Milwaukee advances to the Division final
Pacific Semifinal 1
Seattle advances to the Division final
Pacific Semifinal 2
Vancouver advances to the Division final
Division Finals
Northeast Division final
Atlantic Division final
Central Division final
Pacific Division final
Conference finals
Eastern Conference
The Carolina Dynamo advance.
Western Conference
The Milwaukee Rampage advance, winning two out of three games.
Final
MVP: Carmine Isacco, Milwaukee Rampage
Points leaders RankScorerClubGoalsAssistsPoints1 Doug Miller Rochester Rhinos235512 Mark Baena California Jaguars204443 Stern John New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers165374 Steve Patterson Colorado Foxes163355 Jamel Mitchell Nashville Metros17034 Jimmy Glenn Rochester Rhinos138347 Yari Allnutt Carolina Dynamo12933 Domenic Mobilio Vancouver 86ers14533 Darren TilleyMontreal Impact13733 Gustavo LealOrange County Zodiac1613311 Sebastian BarnesOrlando Sundogs1433112 Garret KuschVancouver 86ers10103013 Mike GaileySeattle Sounders10727 Rob UkropRichmond Kickers12327
Honors MVP: Doug Miller Leading goal scorer: Doug Miller Leading goalkeeper: Dusty Hudock Rookie of the Year: Stern John Coach of the Year: Bob Lilley First Team All League Goalkeeper: Dusty Hudock Defenders: John Limniatis, Scott Schweitzer, Mark Watson, Travis Rinker Midfielders: Yari Allnutt, Mauro Biello, Garret Kusch Forwards: Mark Baena, Doug Miller, Stern John Second Team All League Goalkeeper: Paolo Ceccarelli Defenders: Don Gramenz, Robert Rosario, Bill Sedgewick, Dian Anguelov Midfielders: John Smith, Nick DeSantis, Domenic Mobilio Forwards: Steve Patterson, Darren Tilley, Mike Gailey Organization of the Year: Rochester Raging Rhinos Executive of the Year: Todd Smith, Hershey Wildcats Fair Play Award: Colorado Foxes
References
External links A-League 1997 Season The Year in American Soccer – 1997 United Soccer Leagues (RSSSF)