1989 National Pro Soccer Championship

Soccer tournament in U.S. August 2023 1989 National Pro Soccer Championship ASL-WSL National Pro Soccer Championship San Diego Nomads WSL 1 Fort Lauderdale Strikers ASL 3 1989 09 09 Spartan Stadium San Jose, California Marcelo Carrera Levon Baladjanian 8,632 ASL 1988WSA 1988 1990 1989 National Pro Soccer Championship was the championship final for professional soccer in the U.S. in 1989. The match was contested on September 9, 1989. The WSL Champion, San Diego Nomads took on the ASL Champion, Fort Lauderdale Strikers in order to crown a national professional champion for the first time since 1984. The game was played at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. The match-up By most accounts it was considered a David vs Goliath match-up from the start. Fort Lauderdale was a fully professional squad with a mix of mostly international players. Several were former NASL all-stars, including 1982 goal scoring champion, Ricardo Alonso. ASL teams allowed players with green card work status to count as US roster members. Conversely, San Diego was a defense-first, semi-pro team loaded with home-grown amateurs that included three 17-year-old, high schoolers.Graham Janet Strikers play WSL champs September 9, 1989 Palm Beach Post West Palm Beach, FL https://www.newspapers.com/image/132692534/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads 2C January 13, 2018 WSL teams were limited to a maximum of two non-US citizens per team on the field at any time. To make matters worse for the Nomads, because of late date of the match, NCAA rules prohibited six players, including USMNT defender Marcelo Balboa and starting goalie Anton Nistl from participating.Brents Phillips Pro soccer title hinges on player moves August 19, 1989 The Star-News Chula Vista, CA https://www.newspapers.com/image/116294266/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads D-1 January 13, 2018 Two loaners from the MISL champion, San Diego Sockers were also ruled out because the injury-conscious Sockers organization felt the match was too close to the start of the new MISL season.Brents Phillips Nomads to face Strikers for national championship August 30, 1989 The Star-News Chula Vista, CA https://www.newspapers.com/image/116294540/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads D-1 January 13, 2018 This left the Nomads scrambling to fill in all of the holes, particularly at the back.Brents Phillips Nomads, Strikers square off tonight for national soccer title September 9, 1989 The Star-News Chula Vista, CA https://www.newspapers.com/image/116294762/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads D3 January 13, 2018 Background San Diego Nomads 1989 San Diego Nomads season The San Diego Nomads qualified for the playoffs by virtue of winning the WSL South Division with 99 points. The point total also earned them the top seed and the right to host all WSL playoff rounds. The Nomads reached the league finals for third consecutive year by defeating the Portland Timbers on July 23 in the semifinal match, 2–1. Three weeks later they dispatched the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, 1–0, in the WSL finals, to claim their second WSL title in three years, and advance to the national championship game.Brents Phillips Nomads claim WSL title 1-0 August 16, 1989 The Star-News Chula Vista, CA https://www.newspapers.com/image/116294224/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads D-1 January 13, 2018 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1989 Fort Lauderdale Strikers season The Fort Lauderdale Strikers qualified for the playoffs by virtue of a second place finish in the ASL Southern Division with 35 points. The point total earned them the number four seed. The Strikers upset the number one seeded Washington Stars in the semifinals, sweeping both matches on August 12 and 13 to advance to their second straight ASL finals. The following week they needed the 30-minute, mini-game tie breaker to beat the Boston Bolts, 2 matches to 1, in the championship finals, to claim the ASL title.Sarni Jim Strikers are ASL champs August 27, 1989 Sun-Sentinel Fort Lauderdale, FL https://www.newspapers.com/image/237215133/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads D-1 January 13, 2018 The victory earned them the right to play the San Diego Nomads on September 9. Game summary Recap The first half was one of end-to-end action, but also of missed opportunities, especially for San Diego. Despite the long odds, the Nomads repeatedly used the speed of their youthful squad to exploit their older opponents. At the 2:18 mark, Paul Wright had a sure goal headed off the line by Strikers captain Victor Moreland. The Nomads were repeatedly stopped in one-on-one looks at goal by USMNT veteran, Arnie Mausser. In 20th minute Rene Ortiz broke free, but was denied. Wright missed two more chances 22nd and 28th minute respectively. Ortiz and Jerome Watson also missed other opportunities to give San Diego an early lead. In all, Mausser and Nomads goalie Jeff Duback combined for 14 first-half saves.Schwab Matt Fort Lauderdale Defeats Nomads to Win U.S. Title https://www.newspapers.com/image/175286963/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads September 10, 1989 15B Los Angeles Times January 14, 2018 The match remained scoreless until the 74th minute when Watson scored from 8 yards for San Diego, by volleying in Thien Nguyen's free kick from the edge of the penalty area.Strikers beat Nomad 3-1 in pro soccer showdown September 11, 1989 St. Petersburg Times St. Petersburg, FL https://www.newspapers.com/image/322424046/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads 2C January 14, 2018 Just over a minute later, forward Eric Eichmann leveled the match on a rebound shot from 18 yards for the Strikers. Ortiz narrowly missed returning San Diego to lead, as his 80th minute shot blew just wide of the far post from a tough angle. Ten minutes later Troy Edwards put Fort Lauderdale ahead to stay thanks to a spectacular Marcelo Carrera bicycle kick assist in the 85th minute. With the Nomads pressing to equalize, Carrera then notched a goal of his own in the 90th minute on an assist from Victor Moreland. For his efforts, Carrera earned man-of-the-match honors.Lazzarino Chris Strikers are ASL champs September 11, 1989 Sun-Sentinel Fort Lauderdale, FL https://www.newspapers.com/image/237874424/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads 3C January 14, 2018 Fort Lauderdale players and coaches alike acknowledged the Nomads' speed advantage in post-match interviews. Likewise, San Diego players acknowledged their veteran opponents' composure in the face constant pressure.Brents Phillips Strikers down Nomads 3-1 for pro soccer title September 13, 1989 The Star-News Chula Vista, CA https://www.newspapers.com/image/116294849/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads D-6 December 25, 2017 The game was televised live by Pacific Sports Network with JP Dellacamera doing play-by-play, and Rick Davis on color commentary.The A-League Archive http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/ January 14, 2018 February 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120206080843/http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/ deadLazzarino Chris Strikers Meet Nomads In Final http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1989-09-09/sports/8903020215_1_arnie-mausser-nomads-strikers-coach September 9, 1989 5C Sun-Sentinel January 13, 2018 October 29, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192516/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1989-09-09/sports/8903020215_1_arnie-mausser-nomads-strikers-coach dead It was also broadcast in several other television markets on a tape-delayed basis. Championship results September 9 7:30 pm PDT San Diego Nomads 1–3 https://www.newspapers.com/image/116294848/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads Fort Lauderdale Strikers Watson 73:13 Nguyen Eichmann 74:24 Alonso Edwards 84:40 Carrera Carrera 89:00 Moreland Spartan Stadium, San Jose, California 8,632 Levon Baladjanian _unknown San Diego _unknown Fort Lauderdale GK USA Jeff DubackD USA Arturo Velazco (c)D USA Scott PlatenbergD USA Steve BoardmanD USA Mario Gonzalez M USA Charley MarshallM USA Rene Ortiz 86:10F USA Thien NguyenF ENG Paul Wright F USA Jerome WatsonF USA Andy Burke 88:10Substitutes:GK USA Chris HaapD USA Lucas Martin 88:10M USA Toby TaitanoManager:ENG Derek Armstrong GK USA Arnie MausserD Northern Ireland Jimmy McGeough Jr.D USA Troy EdwardsD Northern Ireland Victor Moreland (c) 44:40M Netherlands Thomas RongenM USA Kenny BordenM YUG Miljce DonevM ARG Marcelo CarreraF USA Eric Eichmann F ARG Ricardo AlonsoF ARG Pedro MagallanesSubstitutes:GK CAN Dave Landry Manager:Netherlands Thomas Rongen 1989 U.S. Professional Soccer Champions: Fort Lauderdale Strikers Television: Pacific Sports Network (live), and Prime Ticket (tape delayed) Announcers: JP Dellacamera, Rick Davis Championship MVP: Marcelo Carrera (Fort Lauderdale) Assistant referees: Brian Hall Abraham Ramirez Statistics StatisticPro soccer September 13, 1989 The Star-News Chula Vista, CA https://www.newspapers.com/image/116294848/?terms=Strikers%2BNomads D-4 December 26, 2017 San Diego Fort LauderdaleGoals scored 1 3Total shots 16 19Shots on target 8 12Saves 9 7Corner kicks 6 5Offsides 7 2Fouls 22 17Yellow cards 1 1Red cards 0 0 See also 1989 American Soccer League 1989 Western Soccer League References External links AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE III (RSSSF) The Year in American Soccer – 1989 1989 American Soccer League https://web.archive.org/web/20110723104255/http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1989/1989asl.htm July 23, 2011 official match program Category:1989 in American soccer Category:1989 in American soccer leagues Category:1989 in sports in California Category:Soccer competitions in California Category:Sports competitions in San Jose, California Category:1980s in San Jose, California