The American Soccer League was a soccer league in the United States which was founded in 1933 and folded in 1983.
The name has been a name used by four different professional soccer sports leagues in the United States.
The second American Soccer League was established in the summer of 1933 following the collapse of the first league with the same name, 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.
History 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.
Champions 1933/34 through 1943/44 YearMetropolitan DivisionNew England DivisionTop scorersMVPs1933–34Irish-Americans (1)Fairlawn Rovers (1)Archie Stark & Razzo Carroll (Metro)??? (NE)Not awarded1934–35Philadelphia German-American (1)Portuguese Sport Club (1)Millard Lang (Metro)??? (NE)1935–36New York Americans (1)league dormantAlex Rae (Metro)1936–37Scots-Americans (1)Providence S.C. (1)Charlie Ernst (Metro)??? (NE)1937–38Scots-Americans (2)Providence S.C. (2)Fabri Salcedo (Metro)??? (NE)1938–39Scots-Americans (3)Lusitania Recreation (1)Bert Patenaude (Metro)??? (NE)1939–40Scots-Americans (4)Swedish-Americans (1)Charlie Ernst (Metro)??? (NE)1940–41Scots-Americans (5)Fall River S.C. (1)Fabri Salcedo (Metro)??? (NE)1941–42Philadelphia Americans (2)St. Michael's (unofficial)John Nanoski (Metro)??? (NE)1942–43Brooklyn Hispano (1)league dormantChappie Sheppell (Metro)1943–44Philadelphia Americans (3)Tommy Marshall (Metro)
1944/45 through 1983 YearWinner (number of titles)Runners-upTop scorerMVP1944–45Brookhattan (1)Philadelphia AmericansJohn NanoskiSteve Rozbora1945–46Baltimore Americans (1)Brooklyn HispanoFabri SalcedoRay McFaul1946–47Philadelphia Americans (4)Brooklyn WanderersBill FisherServile Mervine1947–48Philadelphia Americans (5)Kearny ScotsNicholas KropfelderJohn O'Connell1948–49Philadelphia Nationals (1)New York AmericansPito VillanonJohn O'Connell1949–50Philadelphia Nationals (2)Kearny CelticJoe GaetjensJoe Maca1950–51Philadelphia Nationals (3)Kearny CelticNicholas KropfelderJohn Donald1951–52Philadelphia Americans (6)Kearny ScotsDick RobertsBenny McLaughlin1952–53Philadelphia Nationals (4)Newark PortuguesePito VillanonPito Villanon1953–54New York Americans (2)BrookhattanJack CalderCyril Hannaby1954–55Uhrik Truckers (7)Brooklyn HispanoJohn FerrisJohn Ferris1955–56Uhrik Truckers (8)Elizabeth FalconsGene GrabowskiJack Hynes1956–57New York Hakoah-Americans (1)Uhrik TruckersGeorge BrownJohn Oliver1957–58New York Hakoah-Americans (2)Ukrainian NationalsLloyd MonsenWalter Kudenko1958–59New York Hakoah-Americans (3)Ukrainian NationalsPasquale Pepe (17)Yuriy Kulishenko1959–60Colombo (1)Ukrainian NationalsMike Noha (16)Andy Racz1960–61Ukrainian Nationals (1)Falcons S.C.Herman Niss (17)Mike Noha1961–62Ukrainian Nationals (2)Inter-Brooklyn ItaliansPeter Millar (18)Peter Millar1962–63Ukrainian Nationals (3)Inter S.C.Ismael Ferreyra (14)Peter Millar1963–64Ukrainian Nationals (4)Boston MetrosWalter Chyzowych (15)Abbie Wolanow1964–65Hartford S.C (1)Newark PortugueseHerculiano Riguerdo (7)Alberto Falak1965–66Roma S.C. (1)Newark Ukrainian SitchWalter Chyzowych (27)Walter Chyzowych1966–67Baltimore St. Gerards (1)Newark Ukrainian SitchJorge Benitez (16)Myron Worobec1967–68Ukrainian Nationals (5)New York InterIvan Paleto (14)Robert Waugh1968Washington Darts (1)Rochester LancersGerry Browne (12)1969Washington Darts (2)Syracuse ScorpionsJim Lefkos (22)Robert Waugh1970Philadelphia Ukrainians (6)Philadelphia SpartansJuan Paletta (6)Willie MfumAlbert Trik1971New York Greeks (1)Boston AstrosCharles Duccilli (11)Bob Hatzos1972Cincinnati Comets (1)New York GreeksCharles Duccilli (5)Nelson BrizuelaJoseph OqnajacGeorge PulitaJohn KostakisRingo Cantillo1973New York Apollo (2)Cincinnati CometsEddy Roberts (12)Helio Barbosa1974Rhode Island Oceaneers (1)New York ApolloMohammad Attiah (11)Ringo Cantillo1975New York Apollo (3), Boston Astros (1) co-championsJosé Neto (23)José Neto1976Los Angeles Skyhawks (1)New York ApolloJim Hinch (13)José NetoJim Hinch1977New Jersey Americans (1)Sacramento SpiritsJosé Neto (17)Ringo Cantillo1978New York Apollo (4)Los Angeles SkyhawksJim Rolland (17)Mike ManciniJosé NetoJim Rolland1979Sacramento Gold (1)Columbus MagicPoli Garcia (15)Joey FinkPoli Garcia1980Pennsylvania Stoners (1)Sacramento GoldMal Roche (17)George Gorleku1981Carolina Lightnin' (1)New York UnitedBilly Boljevic (25)Billy Boljevic1982Detroit Express (1)Oklahoma City SlickersAndy Chapman (23)Brian Tinnion1983Jacksonville Tea Men (1)Pennsylvania StonersJeff Bourne (17)Peter Simonini
Team list
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 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 & 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) 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 & 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 (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) Trenton Athletics (1948-51)