1979 North American Soccer League season

Soccer league season February 2023 February 2023 North American Soccer League 1979 24 Vancouver Whitecaps (1st title) New York Cosmos (3rd title) 360 1374 ITA Giorgio Chinaglia (26 goals) SEA 9–0 EDM (August 1)Whitecaps still making waves August 2, 1979 The Leader-Post https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x3dVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Hj8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2725,561658&dq=smethurst&hl=en 35 2013-06-29 MEM 0–6 ATL (July 21)NASL: A Complete Record Of The North American Soccer League 1989 213SJ 0–6 SD (August 11)NASL sets playoff matchups August 13, 1979 Edmonton Journal https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HRBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cYMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1877,1116210&dq=sockers&hl=en D3 2013-06-29 DET 6–5 (SO) CHI (July 7)Francis' Goal Spurs Express July 8, 1979 Toledo Blade https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NygxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iwIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3948,2473929&dq=express+sting&hl=en D4 2013-06-29DET 8–2 FTL (June 27)Prati pays off for Lancers immediately June 28, 1979 The Leader-Post https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6GxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6T4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1087,3899413&dq=furphy&hl=en 26 2013-06-29 8, New York (July 8 – August 12)NASL: A Complete Record Of The North American Soccer League 1989 225 14, Edmonton (May 26 – July 18)NASL: A Complete Record Of The North American Soccer League 1989 218 76,031 (Tulsa at New York) (August 26)Fiery Cosmos demolish Roughnecks August 27, 1979 St. Petersburg Times https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aVYnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bnwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6817,3037634&dq=cosmos&hl=en 6C 2013-06-29 653 (N.E. at Houston) (April 19)Houston overcomes flooding, Tea Men April 20, 1979 St. Petersburg Times https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6sUxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=O3wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1921,2983667&dq=tea+men&hl=en 4C 2013-06-29 14,201http://www.kenn.com/the_blog/?p=496 Attendance Project: NASL Kenn Tomasch June 26, 2013 1978 1980 The 1979 North American Soccer League season was the 67th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer and the 12th with a national first-division league in the United States and Canada. Changes from the previous season Rules changes A rule modification required that each squad play two U.S. or Canadian players and that each 17-man roster carry six such players.http://www.nasl.com/page/slug/a-review-of-the-golden-era NASL. Review of the Golden Era www.nasl.com April 1, 2014 March 31, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140331042441/http://www.nasl.com/page/slug/a-review-of-the-golden-era dead New teams None Teams folding None Teams moving Colorado Caribous to Atlanta Chiefs Oakland Stompers to Edmonton Drillers Name changes Cosmos to New York Cosmos Toronto Metros-Croatia to Toronto Blizzard Map of clubs left 10px American East Division 10px American Central Division 10px American West Division 10px National East Division 10px National Central Division 10px National West Division 1090 500 300 425 355 North America 870 North America 26.19 -80.16 Blue pog.svg 80 bottom Strikers North America 42.09 -71.27 Blue pog.svg 80 top Tea Men North America 39.91 -75.17 Blue pog.svg 80 right Fury North America 27.98 -82.50 Blue pog.svg 80 left Rowdies North America 41.86 -87.62 Red pog.svg 80 bottom Sting North America 42.65 -83.26 Red pog.svg 80 bottom Express North America 29.69 -95.41 Red pog.svg 80 bottom Hurricane North America 35.12 -89.98 Red pog.svg 80 bottom Rogues North America 33.81 -117.88 Black pog.svg 80 right Surf North America 53.56 -113.48 Black pog.svg 80 bottom Drillers North America 32.78 -117.12 Black pog.svg 80 bottom Sockers North America 37.32 -121.87 Black pog.svg 80 left Earthquakes North America 40.81 -74.08 Green pog.svg 80 right Cosmos North America 43.19 -77.66 Green pog.svg 80 bottom Lancers North America 43.63 -79.41 Green pog.svg 80 top Blizzard North America 38.89 -76.97 Green pog.svg 80 bottom Diplomats North America 33.74 -84.39 Purple pog.svg 80 bottom Chiefs North America 32.84 -96.78 Purple pog.svg 80 bottom Tornado North America 44.85 -93.24 Purple pog.svg 80 bottom Kicks North America 36.15 -95.94 Purple pog.svg 80 top Roughnecks North America 34.16 -118.17 Orange pog.svg 80 left Aztecs North America 45.52 -122.69 Orange pog.svg 80 bottom Timbers North America 47.60 -122.33 Orange pog.svg 80 right Sounders North America 49.28 -123.03 Orange pog.svg 80 left Whitecaps Season recap Compared to the previous season's upheaval, 1979 was a relatively tranquil year. The league format remained unchanged with 24 teams divided into six divisions within two conferences, and a 16-team playoff. A slight modification to the first round of the playoffs, from a single game to the two-game format used in later rounds, was made. Also the minigame, used to decide tied playoff series, no longer ended on a golden goal (sudden death). Instead, the entire 30 minutes was played.NASL Playoffs Open Tonight August 14, 1979 The Hour https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0rg0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=B24FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4566,2362302&dq=nasl+playoffs&hl=en 49 2013-06-30 Still, there were issues to be sorted out. There was a brief players' strike on April 14, as the league refused to recognize the newly formed Players Association.NASL Strike Expected April 13, 1979 The Evening Independent https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k25IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7FgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2974,3637217&dq=nasl+strike&hl=en B3 2013-06-29 However, since the majority of NASL players were foreign and unsure of American and Canadian labor laws, support was minimal.Dorman Larry NASL Strike Support Minimal April 14, 1979 Palm Beach Post https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U6dUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fDsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1392,4314562&dq=nasl+strike&hl=en B3 2013-06-29July 2026 InternetArchiveBot An estimated three quarters of NASL players crossed the picket line once the Justice Department implied that foreign players would be subject to deportation.Soccer in a Football World 2008 197 The Cosmos decided to put "New York" back into their name after a two-year absence. With a change in ownership, the Toronto franchise was now called the Toronto Blizzard, while Toronto Croatia (who had merged with the Metros back in 1975) returned to their old league, the National Soccer League. The Colorado Caribous moved to Atlanta to become the reborn Atlanta Chiefs in October 1978,Sale Of NASL Caribous Approved October 4, 1978 Sarasota Herald-Tribune https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=miMhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iGcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1580,1859088&dq=nasl+atlanta&hl=en 4-D 2013-06-29 while the Oakland Stompers would move to Edmonton just a month before the start of the season.NASL owners okay move to Edmonton February 23, 1979 Lewiston Morning Tribune https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d71eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6067,8404990&dq=nasl+edmonton&hl=en 7B 2013-06-29 Both teams struggled, finishing last in their respective divisions. The new Edmonton Drillers were particularly bad, setting a record for most consecutive losses in league history with 14.Edmonton drills itself into NASL record book July 19, 1979 The Leader-Post https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mYhVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HT8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5185,1014767&dq=drillers&hl=en 16 2013-06-30 At the other end of the table, the Houston Hurricane went from worst to first in the American Conference, going undefeated in their 15 home matches at the Astrodome and earning Timo Liekoski Coach of the Year honors.KICK Magazine: Soccer Bowl '79 1979 14 However, the Hurricane were upset in the first round of the ASC playoffs, as the Philadelphia Fury, who were winless on the road during the regular season, won the deciding game in Houston.Rowdies to face Fury in playoffs August 21, 1979 St. Petersburg Times https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jKRhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UnwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6682,4580909&dq=hurricane&hl=en 5C 2013-06-30 That meant the door was opened for the Tampa Bay Rowdies to win their second straight ASC title, sweeping the FuryCurtis Jim Rowdies shut off Fury 1-0 August 26, 1979 Sarasota Herald-Tribune https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UgEkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pGcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3661,4814152&dq=rowdies+fury&hl=en 1C 2013-06-30 and outlasting the San Diego Sockers in a minigame at Tampa Stadium.Tierney Mike On to Soccer Bowl: Rowdies win! September 3, 1979 St. Petersburg Times https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L1BSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dHwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6380,2429602&dq=rowdies+soccer+bowl&hl=en 1C 2013-06-30 The Rowdies were led by Oscar Fabbiani's 25 goals and a defense that gave up 46 goals, the second-fewest in the league. The two-time defending champion Cosmos kept rolling, posting another 24–6 record and surpassing their league record for points with 216. Johan Cruyff joined the team in the fall of 1978 for a few exhibitions, but the Los Angeles Aztecs bought out his NASL option for $600,000 to take him to the West Coast.Soccer in a Football World 2008 194 Cruyff scored two goals against the Rochester Lancers on his debut,Los Angeles Goes Dutch May 24, 1979 The Evening Independent https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fltQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=21gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6476,2206198&dq=cruyff&hl=en 5-C 2013-07-02 while leading the Aztecs to a nine-win turnaround. Despite their second-round playoff loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps,Fiery Cosmos demolish Roughnecks August 27, 1979 St. Petersburg Times https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aVYnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bnwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6817,3037634&dq=cosmos&hl=en 6C 2013-07-02 he earned league MVP honors for his efforts. New York proved that they did not need him to score goals, as Giorgio Chinaglia led the league for the third straight year. However, he lost out on the scoring title by a point to Fabbiani.Tierney Mike Fabbiani wins title; Rowdies lose again August 13, 1979 St. Petersburg Times https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hE1SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UXwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5170,3900645&dq=cosmos&hl=en 1C 2013-06-30 As befitting their status within the league, the Cosmos had the honor of playing in the first game of ABC Sports' three-year TV contract with the league in May;Gillespie Bob What It Was... Was Soccer May 12, 1979 The News and Courier https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d71eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6067,8404990&dq=nasl+edmonton&hl=en 12-D 2013-06-29 a Soccer Bowl '78 rematch in which they lost 3–2 at Tampa Bay. The network would cover nine regular-season and playoff games per year. This included coverage of the next three Soccer Bowls.TV deal set for U.S. pro soccer loop November 15, 1978 Montreal Gazette https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JpYuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eKEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3708,6024094&dq=nasl+abc&hl=en 12-D 2013-06-29 However, the league's dream of the Cosmos hosting another Soccer Bowl in front of a national TV audience went up in smoke when New York lost to Vancouver in a memorable playoff matchup. After the Whitecaps won the first game of the National Conference final in Vancouver,Whitecaps Capsize Cosmos Again August 30, 1979 The Hour https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4Lg0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=B24FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1081,5309519&dq=cosmos+whitecaps&hl=en 30 2013-06-30 the teams played for three and a half hours at Giants Stadium three days later on ABC. The Cosmos won the regular game in a shootout, tying the series at one. The deciding minigame would also go to a shootout, where Derek Possee gave Vancouver the lead. After the Cosmos' Ricky Davis and the Whitecaps' Alan Ball missed on their chances, New York's Nelsi Morais was unable to beat the five-second clock and his goal was waved off, giving Vancouver the win.Cosmos Ousted From NASL Playoffs September 2, 1979 Reading Eagle https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j58tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5KAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3519,1038270&dq=cosmos+whitecaps&hl=en 83 2013-06-30 Vancouver went on to beat the Rowdies a week later in the Soccer Bowl. Trevor Whymark scored both Vancouver goals and earned game MVP honors,Vancouver Champion: Whymark Soccer Bowl Hero September 9, 1979 Toledo Blade https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xTBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kwIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7208,397326&dq=soccer+bowl&hl=en E7 2013-06-30 while Tampa Bay suffered their second straight loss in the championship game.Beard Randy Rowdies Go Grumbling September 10, 1979 The Evening Independent https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5GdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=71gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3804,2145009&dq=whitecaps&hl=en 1-C 2013-06-30 Attendance at Giants Stadium was well below projections, as 50,699 showed up despite 66,843 tickets having been sold.At 3,000 miles from home, Whitecaps win Soccer Bowl September 9, 1979 Morning Record and Journal https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7p9HAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bv8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3212,1369148&dq=soccer+bowl+attendance&hl=en 13 2013-06-30 The Whitecaps' Alan Ball was named playoff MVP for his seven-assist effort in Vancouver's championship run.Chick Bob A Painful Past Grates On A Great Scot September 10, 1979 The Evening Independent https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5GdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=71gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4249,2153969&dq=alan+ball&hl=en 3-C 2013-06-30 Attendance estimates vary (they range from 60,000 to 150,000 people),Frenzied welcome for 'Caps September 10, 1979 Edmonton Journal https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5wFlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dIMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4492,4910464&dq=whitecaps&hl=en C1 2013-06-30 but the resulting championship parade is still considered the largest public demonstration in Vancouver civic history.http://www.cga-bc.org/about_us.aspx?id=11928 Whitecaps Wyn Big With Owen Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia June 30, 2013 Another positive sign for the league was that this would be the first offseason in NASL history where no franchises folded or moved. Regular season 6 points for a win, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for each regulation goal scored up to three per game. Division standings #BBF3BB darkgray-Playoffs via division standings. #BBF3FF darkgray-Playoffs via wildcard. American Conference main WL East Division AC East standings 6 0 y TBR, FLS, PHI, NET 17 13 75 64 63 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 12 18 41 56 38 New England Tea Men 10 20 55 60 51 Philadelphia Fury 19 11 67 46 55 Tampa Bay Rowdies green1 blue1 P P W Overall standings September 2, 1979 main WL Central Division AC Central standings 6 0 y HOU, CHI, DET, MEM 16 14 70 61 63 Chicago Sting 14 16 60 56 48 Detroit Express 22 8 61 46 55 Houston Hurricane 6 24 38 74 37 Memphis Rogues green1 blue1 P P W Overall standings September 2, 1979 main WL West Division AC West standings 6 0 y SDS, CAL, EDM, SJE 15 15 53 56 50 California Surf 8 22 43 78 40 Edmonton Drillers 15 15 59 55 50 San Diego Sockers 8 22 41 74 38 San Jose Earthquakes green1 P P San Diego and California finished the season with identical records and point totals. San Diego was awarded the division title due to a better goal differential.NASL sets playoff matchups August 13, 1979 Edmonton Journal https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HRBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cYMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1877,1116210&dq=sockers+california+surf+tie&hl=en D3 2013-07-31 SDS Overall standings September 2, 1979 National Conference main WL East Division NC East standings 6 0 y NYC, WAS, TOR, RCH 24 6 84 52 72 New York Cosmos 15 15 43 57 42 Rochester Lancers 14 16 52 65 49 Toronto Blizzard 19 11 68 50 58 Washington Diplomats green1 blue1 P P W Overall standings September 2, 1979 main WL Central Division NC Central standings 6 0 y MIN, DAL, TUL, ATL 12 18 59 61 49 Atlanta Chiefs 17 13 53 51 50 Dallas Tornado 21 9 67 48 58 Minnesota Kicks 14 16 61 56 55 Tulsa Roughnecks green1 blue1 P P W Overall standings September 2, 1979 main WL West Division NC West standings 6 0 y VAN, LAA, SEA, POR 18 12 62 47 54 Los Angeles Aztecs 11 19 50 75 56 Portland Timbers 13 17 58 52 47 Seattle Sounders 20 10 54 34 52 Vancouver Whitecaps green1 P P Overall standings September 2, 1979 Conference standings American Conference main WL American Conference standings American Conference standings yes Div Division 6 0 y P1 P1 P1 P2 P2 P2 W W HOU, TBR, SDS, FLS, CHI, CAL, DET, PHI, NET, EDM, SJE, MEM C 16 14 70 61 63 Chicago Sting C 14 16 60 56 48 Detroit Express C 22 8 61 46 55 Houston Hurricane C 6 24 38 74 37 Memphis Rogues E 17 13 75 64 63 Fort Lauderdale Strikers E 12 18 41 56 38 New England Tea Men E 10 20 55 60 51 Philadelphia Fury E 19 11 67 46 55 Tampa Bay Rowdies W 15 15 53 56 50 California Surf W 8 22 43 78 40 Edmonton Drillers W 15 15 59 55 50 San Diego Sockers W 8 22 41 74 38 San Jose Earthquakes Playoff qualification green1 Division winners green2 Division runners-up green3 Wildcards Conference champion A 1) Division position; 2) Points; 3) Wins; 4) Goal differential Overall standings September 2, 1979 National Conference main WL National Conference standings National Conference standings yes Div Division 6 0 y P1 P1 P1 P2 P2 P2 W W NYC, MIN, VAN, WAS, LAA, DAL, TUL, TOR, RCH, SEA, POR, ATL C 12 18 59 61 49 Atlanta Chiefs C 17 13 53 51 50 Dallas Tornado C 21 9 67 48 58 Minnesota Kicks C 14 16 61 56 55 Tulsa Roughnecks E 24 6 84 52 72 New York Cosmos E 15 15 43 57 42 Rochester Lancers E 14 16 52 65 49 Toronto Blizzard E 19 11 68 50 58 Washington Diplomats W 18 12 62 47 54 Los Angeles Aztecs W 11 19 50 75 56 Portland Timbers W 13 17 58 52 47 Seattle Sounders W 20 10 54 34 52 Vancouver Whitecaps Playoff qualification green1 Division winners green2 Division runners-up green3 Wildcards Conference champion N 1) Division position; 2) Points; 3) Wins; 4) Goal differential Overall standings September 2, 1979 Overall standings main WL Overall standings Overall standings yes Div Conference & Division 6 0 y NYC, HOU, MIN, VAN, WAS, TBR, FLS, LAA, CHI, DAL, SDS, CAL, TUL, TOR, RCH, DET, SEA, POR, ATL, PHI, NET, EDM, SJE, MEM AC 16 14 70 61 63 Chicago Sting AC 14 16 60 56 48 Detroit Express AC 22 8 61 46 55 Houston Hurricane AC 6 24 38 74 37 Memphis Rogues AE 17 13 75 64 63 Fort Lauderdale Strikers AE 12 18 41 56 38 New England Tea Men AE 10 20 55 60 51 Philadelphia Fury AE 19 11 67 46 55 Tampa Bay Rowdies AW 15 15 53 56 50 California Surf AW 8 22 43 78 40 Edmonton Drillers AW 15 15 59 55 50 San Diego Sockers AW 8 22 41 74 38 San Jose Earthquakes NC 12 18 59 61 49 Atlanta Chiefs NC 17 13 53 51 50 Dallas Tornado NC 21 9 67 48 58 Minnesota Kicks NC 14 16 61 56 55 Tulsa Roughnecks NE 24 6 84 52 72 New York Cosmos NE 15 15 43 57 42 Rochester Lancers NE 14 16 52 65 49 Toronto Blizzard NE 19 11 68 50 58 Washington Diplomats NW 18 12 62 47 54 Los Angeles Aztecs NW 11 19 50 75 56 Portland Timbers NW 13 17 58 52 47 Seattle Sounders NW 20 10 54 34 52 Vancouver Whitecaps Q NASL Champions C 1) Points; 2) Wins; 3) Goal differential soccerstats.us September 2, 1979 NASL League Leaders Scoring GP = Games Played, G = Goals (worth 2 points), A = Assists (worth 1 point), Pts = Points Player Team GP G A PtsCHI Oscar FabbianiTampa Bay Rowdies2625858ITA Giorgio ChinagliaNew York Cosmos2726557GER Gerd MüllerFort Lauderdale Strikers25191755SCO David RobbPhiladelphia Fury30162052ENG Jeff BourneAtlanta Chiefs29181551GER Karl-Heinz GranitzaChicago Sting30201050PER Teófilo CubillasFort Lauderdale Strikers30161850ENG Alan WilleyMinnesota Kicks2921749ENG Dennis TueartNew York Cosmos27161648ENG Laurie AbrahamsCalifornia/Tulsa2518945NED Johan CruyffLos Angeles Aztecs23131642 Goalkeeping Note: GP = Games played; Min - Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; SO = Shutouts Player Team GP Min SV GA GAA W L SOENG Phil ParkesVancouver Whitecaps292704100290.962097USA Victor NogueiraAtlanta Chiefs17143279201.26885CAN Željko BileckiTampa Bay Rowdies17154993221.281255USA Mike IvanowSeattle Sounders282517149391.3913152NIR Bill IrwinWashington Diplomats282603134421.4517114ENG Paul HammondHouston Hurricane292705215441.462186GER Volkmar GrossSan Diego/Minnesota242132137381.6041776ENG Kevin KeelanNew England Tea Men252242133401.60512132ENG Colin BoultonLos Angeles/Tulsa302746109491.60616147CAN Tino LettieriMinnesota Kicks16136895251.631052 NASL All-Stars First Team   Position   Second Team Honorable MentionENG Phil Parkes, Vancouver GENG Paul Hammond, HoustonUSA Alan Mayer, San DiegoBRA Carlos Alberto, New York DBRA Marinho, New YorkENG Steve Litt, Minnesota CAN Bruce Wilson, Chicago DSCO John Gorman, Tampa BayUSA Bob Smith, San DiegoNED Wim Rijsbergen, New York DYUG 1945 Mihalj Keri, Los AngelesNED Wim Suurbier, Los AngelesRSA 1928 Mike Connell, Tampa Bay DCAN Bob Lenarduzzi, VancouverPOR Artur Correia, New EnglandGER Franz Beckenbauer, New York MPER Teófilo Cubillas, Fort LauderdaleENG Rodney Marsh, Tampa Bay NED Johan Neeskens, New York MYUG 1945 Vladislav Bogićević, New YorkENG Alan Hudson, Seattle RSA 1928 Ace Ntsoelengoe, Minnesota MENG Alan Ball, VancouverIRL Gerry Daly, New England NED Johan Cruyff, Los Angeles FCHI Óscar Fabbiani, Tampa BayDEN Jørgen Kristensen, Chicago ENG Trevor Francis, Detroit FGER Karl-Heinz Granitza, ChicagoRSA 1928 Steve Wegerle, Tampa BayITA Giorgio Chinaglia, New York FGER Gerd Müller, Fort LauderdaleENG Dennis Tueart, New York Playoff The top two teams from each division qualified for the playoffs automatically. The two teams with the highest point totals remaining in each conference filled out the field as wild cards and were given the lowest first round seeds. Playoff match-ups and home/away status were reset after each round, based on regular season point totals. In 1979 and 1980, if a playoff series was tied at one victory each, a full 30 minute mini-game was played. If neither team held an advantage after the 30 minutes, the teams would then move on to an NASL shoot-out to determine a series winner. Bracket 2/2/2/1 y 0 Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals American Conference National Conference Conference Championships Soccer Bowl '79 25 150px A1 Houston Hurricane 1 1 – A8 Philadelphia Fury 2 2 – A2 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3 3 – A7 Detroit Express 0 1 – A3 San Diego Sockers 4 7 – A6 California Surf 2 2 – A4 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0 0 – A5 Chicago Sting 2 1 – N1 New York Cosmos 3 2 – N8 Toronto Blizzard 1 0 – N2 Minnesota Kicks 1 1 – N7 Tulsa Roughnecks 2 2 – N3 Vancouver Whitecaps 3 2 – N6 Dallas Tornado 2 1 – N4 Washington Diplomats 1 3 – N5 Los Angeles Aztecs 3 4 – A2 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3(2) 1 – A8 Philadelphia Fury 2(0) 0 – A3 San Diego Sockers 2 1 – A5 Chicago Sting 0 0 – N1 New York Cosmos 0 3 3 N7 Tulsa Roughnecks 3 0 1 N3 Vancouver Whitecaps 2(1) 1 1 N5 Los Angeles Aztecs 3(2) 0 0 A2 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 3(3) 1 A3 San Diego Sockers 2 2(0) 0 N1 New York Cosmos 0 3(3) 0(2) N3 Vancouver Whitecaps 2 2(1) 1(3) A2 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 N3 Vancouver Whitecaps 2 First round Lower seedHigher seedGame 1Game 2Mini-game(lower seed hosts Game 1)Philadelphia Fury - Houston Hurricane 2–1 2–1 x August 14 • Veterans Stadium • 3,337August 20 • Houston Astrodome • 7,530Detroit Express - Tampa Bay Rowdies 0–3 1–3 x August 15 • Pontiac Silverdome • 21,539August 19 • Tampa Stadium • 27,210Chicago Sting - Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2–0 1–0 x August 15 • Soldier Field • 10,019August 18 • Lockhart Stadium • 13,691California Surf - San Diego Sockers 2–4 2–7 x August 16 • Anaheim Stadium • 8,460August 18 • San Diego Stadium • 10,225Tulsa Roughnecks - Minnesota Kicks 2–1 (OT) 2–1 (OT) x August 15 • Skelly Stadium • 14,105August 19 • Metropolitan Stadium • 28,996Dallas Tornado - Vancouver Whitecaps 2–3 1 –2 x August 15 • Ownby Stadium • 8,829August 18 • Empire Stadium • 30,328Los Angeles Aztecs - Washington Diplomats 3–1 4–3 (OT)NASL: Johann Cruyff LA Aztecs Playoff Goal 1979 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jrFFbl5QKs https://web.archive.org/web/20131116203802/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jrFFbl5QKs 2013-11-16 live 2013-07-02 x August 15 • Rose Bowl • 12,042August 19 • RFK Stadium • 14,802Toronto Blizzard - New York Cosmos 1–3 0–2 x August 16 • Exhibition Stadium • 30,356August 19 • Giants Stadium • 46,531 Conference semifinals Lower seedHigher seedGame 1Game 2Mini-game(lower seed hosts Game 1)San Diego Sockers - Chicago Sting 2–0 1–0 x August 22 • San Diego Stadium • 11,561August 25 • Wrigley Field • 15,379Los Angeles Aztecs - Vancouver Whitecaps 3–2 (SO, 2–1) 0–1 0–1 August 22 • Rose Bowl • 21,213NASL: Vancouver at Los Angeles 8/22/1979 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiAcu970OPE 2013-07-08August 25 • Empire Stadium • 32,375Philadelphia Fury - Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–3 (SO, 0–2) 0–1 x August 23 • Franklin Field • 10,395August 25 • Tampa Stadium • 21,112Tulsa Roughnecks - New York Cosmos 3–0 0–3 1–3 August 23 • Skelly Stadium • 26,011August 26 • Giants Stadium • 76,031 Conference Championships Lower seedHigher seedGame 1Game 2Mini-game(lower seed hosts Game 1)Vancouver Whitecaps - New York Cosmos 2–0 2–3 (SO, 1–3) 1–0 (SO, 3–2) August 29 • Empire Stadium • 32,875September 1 • Giants Stadium • 44,109San Diego Sockers - Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–1 2–3 (SO, 0–3) 0–1 August 30 • San Diego Stadium • 20,267September 2 • Tampa Stadium • 38,766 Soccer Bowl '79 Soccer Bowl '79 September 8 2:00 pm EDT Vancouver Whitecaps 2–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies Whymark 12:37 Whymark 59:37 (Ball) Van der Veen 22:25 (Anderson) Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 50,699 Gino D'Ippolito (USA)Soccer Bowl '79 Media Guide 1979 8 1979 NASL Champions: Vancouver Whitecaps Post season awards Most Valuable Player: NED Johan Cruyff, Los Angeles Coach of the year: FIN Timo Liekoski, Houston Rookie of the year: USA Larry Hulcer, Los Angeles North American Player of the Year: USA Rick Davis, New York Playoff MVP: ENG Alan Ball, Vancouver Average home attendance TeamAveragehttp://www.kenn.com/the_blog/?page_id=496 kenn.com www.kenn.comNew York Cosmos 46,690Tampa Bay Rowdies 28,546Minnesota Kicks 24,580Vancouver Whitecaps 22,962Seattle Sounders 18,998Tulsa Roughnecks 16,426San Jose Earthquakes 15,092Los Angeles Aztecs 14,334Detroit Express 14,058Fort Lauderdale Strikers 13,708Washington Diplomats 11,973Toronto Blizzard 11,821San Diego Sockers 11,271Portland Timbers 11,172California Surf 10,330Edmonton Drillers 9,924Dallas Tornado 9,306Rochester Lancers 8,680Chicago Sting 8,062Atlanta Chiefs 7,350Memphis Rogues 7,137New England Tea Men 6,562Houston Hurricane 6,212Philadelphia Fury 5,624 References 30em Soccer Bowl '79 Media Guide North American Soccer League 1979 New York, NY KICK Magazine: Soccer Bowl '79 North American Soccer League 1979 New York, NY 1980 Official North American Soccer League Guide North American Soccer League 1980 New York, NY NASL: A Complete Record of the North American Soccer League Jose Colin Breedon Books 1989 Derby, England North American Soccer League Encyclopedia Jose Colin St. Johann Press 2003 Haworth, NJ Soccer In A Football World https://archive.org/details/soccerinfootball0000wang registration Wangerin David Temple University Press 2008 Philadelphia, PA 9781592138852 External links The Year in American Soccer – 1979 Chris Page's NASL Archive Complete NASL Results and Standings Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) seasons North American Soccer League North American Soccer League