1986–87 Major Indoor Soccer League season

August 2023 Major Indoor Soccer League 1986–87 Dallas Sidekicks BRA Tatu (73 goals) 299 2645 8,714 1985–86 1987–88 The 1986–87 Major Indoor Soccer League season was the ninth in league history and ended with the Dallas Sidekicks winning their first MISL title over the Tacoma Stars. Recap It was a topsy-turvy season. Attempts to stabilize the league's presence in New York by moving the league office and putting the league's newest franchise there were unsuccessful. The New York Express barely made it to the All-Star break. A stock sale had been a massive failure and results were equally bad on the field.http://www.funwhileitlasted.net/2011/05/27/19-new-york-express/ New York Express Fun While It Lasted May 31, 2012 With the club's record at 3-23, management announced on February 16 that they would be unable to finish the season.Express Goes Out Of Business February 17, 1987 Schenectady Gazette https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CxAhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZnIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2866,4179693&dq=express&hl=en 31 2012-05-31 As for matters on the field, league officials made plans to expand the schedule further despite losing the Pittsburgh Spirit the previous spring. Not only would each team play 52 games, the playoffs would be expanded to include two best-of seven rounds.MISL plans to expand semis to five games June 1, 1986 Lawrence Journal-World https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g0wyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cuUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2633,76076&dq=misl&hl=en 2B 2012-05-31 With all but one of the six preceding series going to a deciding game, Game 7 of the championship series would be played on June 20, the latest date in MISL history and six days after the conclusion of the NBA Finals. Games 3 and 6 at Dallas' Reunion Arena were sellouts, and the Tacoma Dome attracted crowds of 20,284 and 21,728 for Games 5 and 7, the two largest crowds in MISL playoff history.MISL Official Tenth Anniversary Guide 1987 10 The San Diego Sockers' dominance ended this season, as long-term injuries to last year's playoff MVP Brian Quinn and other Sockers had the team uncharacteristically struggling.Appleman Marc Sockers Hit Another Low in Loss: San Diego Drops Fourth Straight as St. Louis Prevails, 2-1 April 16, 1987 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-04-16-sp-362-story.html 2012-05-31 They would finish eight games behind the Stars, who were led by Steve Zungul and owned the MISL's best regular-season record. Despite Quinn's return for the playoffs,Appleman Marc Sockers of Old Win in Overtime May 8, 1987 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-08-sp-2708-story.html 2012-05-31 Tacoma defeated San Diego in Game 7 of their division final matchup.Appleman Marc Fate Finally Catches Up With Sockers June 5, 1987 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-06-05-sp-2951-story.html 2012-05-31 It was the first indoor playoff series loss ever for the Sockers, ending a run of 15 straight series wins dating back to the 1981–82 NASL Indoor season. In the end, the Sidekicks epitomized the MISL season. The club folded in June 1986,MISL Sidekicks fold June 10, 1986 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ga8xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UG4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1617,2867459&dq=misl&hl=en 18 2012-05-31 yet a last-ditch effort by fans brought the club back to life within three weeks.SIDEKICKS PURCHASE BACK ON July 1, 1986 Wichita Eagle 4B Tatu led the league in goals and points, and earned both the regular-season and playoff MVP awards. Dallas rallied from a 2-1 series deficit to beat the Baltimore Blast in the first round, and won Games 6 and 7 of the championship series in overtime.Overtime Goal Gives Dallas Title June 21, 1987 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-06-21-sp-8825-story.html 2012-05-31 Mark Karpun scored both overtime goals, and his Game 6 double overtime winner ended the longest game in MISL playoff history.Sidekicks win, force 7th game June 19, 1987 Ellensburg Daily Record https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-4pUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cI8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5457,5715189&dq=dallas+sidekicks&hl=en 8 2012-05-31 Six days after the Sidekicks' victory, the MISL granted a conditional franchise to NBA Denver Nuggets owner Sidney Shlenker for the 1988-89 season.MISL awards Denver expansion franchise June 26, 1987 Eugene Register-Guard https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19870626&id=buhVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eOEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4839,6014607 4C 2012-05-31 When the planned "Denver Desperados" franchise had only 400 season tickets instead of the required 5,000 four months after the announcement, the franchise was revoked on November 5.MISL team folds November 6, 1987 Wilmington Morning Star https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19871106&id=J5s0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=CxQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2697,2306790 2B 2012-05-31 Teams TeamCity/AreaArenaBaltimore BlastBaltimore Baltimore ArenaChicago StingRosemont, Illinois Rosemont HorizonCleveland ForceCleveland Richfield ColiseumDallas SidekicksDallas Reunion ArenaKansas City CometsKansas City, Missouri Kemper ArenaLos Angeles LazersInglewood, California The ForumMinnesota StrikersBloomington, MinnesotaMet Center New York ExpressUniondale, New York Nassau Veterans Memorial ColiseumSan Diego SockersSan Diego San Diego Sports ArenaSt. Louis SteamersSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis ArenaTacoma Stars Tacoma, Washington Tacoma DomeWichita WingsWichita, Kansas Kansas Coliseum Map of clubs left 10px Eastern Division 10px Western Division 1090 500 300 425 355 North America 870 North America 39.29 -76.62 Blue pog.svg 80 bottom Blast North America 41.25 -81.59 Blue pog.svg 80 bottom Force North America 41.88 -87.67 Blue pog.svg 80 bottom Sting North America 32.77 -96.81 Blue pog.svg 80 bottom Sidekicks North America 44.86 -93.24 Blue pog.svg 80 bottom Strikers North America 40.72 -73.59 Blue pog.svg 80 top Express North America 39.09 -94.61 Red pog.svg 80 top Comets North America 33.96 -118.34 Red pog.svg 80 left Lazers North America 32.76 -117.21 Red pog.svg 80 bottom Sockers North America 38.63 -90.28 Red pog.svg 80 bottom Steamers North America 47.24 -122.43 Red pog.svg 80 bottom Stars North America 37.84 -97.32 Red pog.svg 80 bottom Wings Regular season schedule The 1986–87 regular season schedule ran from November 13, 1986, to May 3, 1987. The schedule was lengthened to 52 games per team, the longest to date in MISL history.MISL Official Tenth Anniversary Guide 1987 47–49 Final standings Playoff teams in bold. Eastern Division W L Pct. GB GF GA Home Road Cleveland Force 3418.654--25221820-614-12 Baltimore Blast 3319.635123920120-613-13 Dallas Sidekicks 2824.538620919715-1113-13 Minnesota Strikers 2626.500820519814-1212-14 Chicago Sting 2329.4421126326515-118-18 New York Express 323.11518971592-111-12 Western Division W L Pct. GB GF GA Home Road Tacoma Stars 3517.673--24921117-918-8 Kansas City Comets 2824.538727125318-810-16 San Diego Sockers 2725.519821420016-1011-15 Wichita Wings2725.519826826518-89-17 St. Louis Steamers 1933.3651619522413-136-20 Los Angeles Lazers 1636.3081918325412-144-22 Playoffs Division Semifinals Division Finals Championship Series E1 Cleveland Force 3 E4 Minnesota Strikers 2 E2 Baltimore Blast 2 E3 Dallas Sidekicks 3 W1 Tacoma Stars 3 W4 Wichita Wings 2 W2 Kansas City Comets 2 W3 San Diego Sockers 3 E1 Cleveland Force 1 E3 Dallas Sidekicks 4 W1 Tacoma Stars 4 W3 San Diego Sockers 3 E3 Dallas Sidekicks 4 W1 Tacoma Stars 3 Division Semifinals Cleveland vs. Minnesota Date Away Home Attendance May 9 Minnesota 5 Cleveland 4 11,461 Hector Marinaro scored at 2:07 of overtime May 10 Minnesota 6 Cleveland 7 7,165 May 13 Cleveland 6 Minnesota 5 5,766 Michael King scored at 12:55 of overtime May 16 Cleveland 4 Minnesota 5 6,888 May 19 Minnesota 3 Cleveland 7 11,808 Cleveland wins series 3-2 Baltimore vs. Dallas Date Away Home Attendance May 7 Dallas 2 Baltimore 3 6,224 May 9 Dallas 7 Baltimore 6 7,306 May 15 Baltimore 3 Dallas 2 9,182 Andy Chapman scored at 1:54 of overtime May 17 Baltimore 3 Dallas 4 5,149 Tatu scored at 4:53 of overtime May 19 Dallas 7 Baltimore 4 7,918 Dallas wins series 3-2 Tacoma vs. Wichita Date Away Home Attendance May 6 Wichita 7 Tacoma 9 9,385 May 8 Wichita 1 Tacoma 9 11,842 May 10 Tacoma 3 Wichita 10 6,846 May 13 Tacoma 2 Wichita 6 9,023 May 14 Wichita 2 Tacoma 4 7,254 Tacoma wins series 3-2 Kansas City vs. San Diego Date Away Home Attendance May 7 San Diego 5 Kansas City 4 8,141 Waad Hirmez scored at 5:58 of overtime May 10 San Diego 1 Kansas City 5 8,127 May 12 Kansas City 9 San Diego 7 7,685 May 17 Kansas City 2 San Diego 5 7,946 May 20 San Diego 9 Kansas City 5 11,136 San Diego wins series 3-2 Division Finals Cleveland vs. Dallas Date Away Home Attendance May 23 Dallas 3 Cleveland 5 12,034 May 24 Dallas 9 Cleveland 6 13,051 May 27 Cleveland 2 Dallas 5 9,107 May 29 Cleveland 4 Dallas 9 16,824 May 31 Dallas 4 Cleveland 3 8,859 Dallas wins series 4-1 Tacoma vs. San Diego Date Away Home Attendance May 22 San Diego 6 Tacoma 5 11,884 May 24 San Diego 2 Tacoma 7 9,055 May 27 Tacoma 3 San Diego 2 9,704 May 30 Tacoma 2 San Diego 6 11,436 May 31 San Diego 6 Tacoma 5 12,934 June 2 Tacoma 4 San Diego 3 12,884 June 4 San Diego 5 Tacoma 8 16,054 Tacoma wins series 4-3 Championship Series Tacoma vs. Dallas Date Away Home Attendance June 9 Dallas 4 Tacoma 10 11,496 June 11 Dallas 4 Tacoma 7 14,643 June 13 Tacoma 3 Dallas 5 16,824 June 14 Tacoma 3 Dallas 6 13,597 June 16 Dallas 3 Tacoma 5 20,284 June 18 Tacoma 4 Dallas 5 16,824 Mark Karpun scored at 20:30 of overtime June 20 Dallas 4 Tacoma 3 21,728 Mark Karpun scored at 9:23 of overtime Dallas wins series 4-3 Regular season player statistics MISL Official Tenth Anniversary Guide 1987 33 Scoring leaders GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points Player Team GP G A Pts Tatu Dallas Sidekicks 51 73 38 111 Jan Goossens Minnesota Strikers 45 51 44 95 Kai Haaskivi Cleveland Force 49 34 55 89 Steve Zungul Tacoma Stars 51 42 47 89 Preki Tacoma Stars 51 41 47 88 Chico Borja Wichita Wings 46 51 36 87 Batata Chicago Sting 52 37 48 85 Godfrey Ingram Tacoma Stars 51 52 29 81 Dale Mitchell Kansas City Comets 48 51 24 75 Branko Segota San Diego Sockers 38 34 41 75 Leading Goalkeepers Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses Player Team GP Min GA GAA W LTino Lettieri Minnesota Strikers 35 2058 116 3.38 15 19Krys Sobieski Dallas Sidekicks 43 2525 145 3.45 24 19Scott Manning Baltimore Blast 24 1314 76 3.47 14 9Zoltán Tóth San Diego Sockers 33 1875 110 3.52 17 13 Jim Gorsek San Diego Sockers 25 1265 82 3.89 10 12 Keith Van Eron Baltimore Blast 26 1390 91 3.93 15 6Joe Papaleo Tacoma Stars 31 1808 120 3.98 22 9Slobo Illjevski St. Louis Steamers 46 2631 176 4.01 16 28Cris Vaccaro Cleveland Force 36 2012 116 4.02 20 9 P.J. Johns Cleveland Force 24 1406 95 4.05 14 8 Playoff Player Statistics MISL Official Tenth Anniversary Guide 1987 73 Scoring leaders GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points Player Team GP G A Pts Tatu Dallas Sidekicks 17 22 16 38 Steve Zungul Tacoma Stars 19 21 17 38 Preki Tacoma Stars 17 19 18 37 Branko Segota San Diego Sockers 10 19 12 31 Gary Heale Tacoma Stars 19 17 7 24 Leading Goalkeepers Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses Player Team GP Min GA GAA W LJoe Papaleo Tacoma Stars 9 535 32 3.59 5 4Scott Manning Baltimore Blast 4 187 12 3.84 1 2Krys Sobieski Dallas Sidekicks 16 989 70 4.25 11 5Zoltán Tóth San Diego Sockers 11 544 39 4.30 5 5 Tino Lettieri Minnesota Strikers 5 302 23 4.56 2 3 All-MISL Teams First Team   Position   Second Team Krys Sobieski, Dallas GTino Lettieri, MinnesotaBruce Savage, Baltimore DBernie James, ClevelandFernando Clavijo, San Diego DKevin Crow, San DiegoKai Haaskivi, Cleveland MBranko Segota, San DiegoTatu, Dallas FJan Goossens, Kansas CitySteve Zungul, Tacoma FPreki, Tacoma Honorable Mention   Position  David Brcic, Los Angeles GNeil Megson, Tacoma DVictor Moreland, Dallas DChico Borja, Wichita MGodfrey Ingram, Tacoma FBatata, Chicago F League awards Most Valuable Player: Tatu, Dallas Scoring Champion: Tatu, Dallas Pass Master: Kai Haaskivi, Cleveland Defender of the Year: Bruce Savage, Baltimore Rookie of the Year: John Stollmeyer, Cleveland Newcomer of the Year: Steve Kinsey, Minnesota Goalkeeper of the Year: Tino Lettieri, Minnesota Coach of the Year: Dave Clements, Kansas City Championship Series Most Valuable Player: Tatu, Dallas Team attendance totals ClubGamesTotalAverageCleveland Force26366,88714,111Kansas City Comets26323,62212,447Tacoma Stars26269,97410,384Baltimore Blast26258,3339,936San Diego Sockers26253,4449,748Dallas Sidekicks26224,5368,636Wichita Wings26209,8008,069St. Louis Steamers26182,9847,038Minnesota Strikers26181,4416,977Chicago Sting26152,8615,879New York Express 1367,7525,212Los Angeles Lazers26113,8314,376OVERALL299 2,605,4658,714 References MISL Official Tenth Anniversary Guide Leary Dan Griffin John Major Indoor Soccer League Communications Department 1987 New York External links The Year in American Soccer – 1987 1987 page - Dallas Sidekicks Memorial Archive 1986-87 summary at The MISL: A Look Back 1986-87 1 1