NASL Final 1973 was the championship match of the 1973 North American Soccer League season, between the expansion Philadelphia Atoms and the Dallas Tornado. The match was played on August 25, 1973 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Philadelphia Atoms won the match, 2–0, and were crowned the 1973 North American Soccer League champions.
Background The Dallas Tornado qualified for the playoffs by virtue of winning the Southern Division with 111 points. They also had the highest point-total in the NASL, and therefore were guaranteed home field throughout the playoffs. They defeated the defending champion New York Cosmos, 1–0, in the first semifinal game played on August 15, 1973 to advance to the finals.
The Philadelphia Atoms qualified for the playoffs by virtue of winning the Eastern Division with 104 points. They also had the second highest point-total in the NASL. This guaranteed them at least one home playoff game. They soundly defeated the Northern Division champion Toronto Metros, 3–0, in the second semifinal game played on August 18, 1973 to advance to the finals.
Match details
GK 1 Ken Cooper DF 14 Bobby Moffat DF 4 John Best (c) DF 5 Dick Hall MF 6 Roy Turner MF 13 Mohammad Attaih MF 10 Ilija Mitic FW 17 Ray Bloomfield FW 2 Jim Benedek FW 12 Kyle Rote Jr. FW 11 Mike RenshawSubstitutes:MF 7 Bob Ridley FW 9 Luiz Juracy Manager: Ron Newman
GK 1 Bob Rigby DF 2 Barry Barto DF 3 Bobby Smith DF 4 Roy Evans DF 5 Chris Dunleavy DF 17 Bill Straub MF 8 Stan Startzell MF 18 Derek Trevis (c) MF11 George O'Neill FW 15 Charles Duccilli FW 16 Karl MinorSubstitutes:MF 12 Manfred Schellscheidt Manager: Al Miller
1973 NASL Champions: Philadelphia Atoms Assistant referees: Howard Neil (United States) Bill Wuertz (United States)
See also 1973 North American Soccer League season
References
External links