# American Soccer League (1933–1983)

The American Soccer League has been a name used by four different professional soccer sports leagues in the United States. The second American Soccer League was established in summer 1933 following the collapse of the original American Soccer League, 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

| Year | Metropolitan Division | New England Division | Top scorers | MVPs |
| 1933–34 | Irish-Americans (1) | Fairlawn Rovers (1) | Archie Stark & Razzo Carroll (Metro) ??? (NE) | Not awarded |
| 1934–35 | Philadelphia German-American (1) | Portuguese Sport Club (1) | Millard Lang (Metro) ??? (NE) | Not awarded |
| 1935–36 | New York Americans (1) | league dormant | Alex Rae (Metro) | Not awarded |
| 1936–37 | Scots-Americans (1) | Providence S.C. (1) | Charlie Ernst (Metro) ??? (NE) | Not awarded |
| 1937–38 | Scots-Americans (2) | Providence S.C. (2) | Fabri Salcedo (Metro) ??? (NE) | Not awarded |
| 1938–39 | Scots-Americans (3) | Lusitania Recreation (1) | Bert Patenaude (Metro) ??? (NE) | Not awarded |
| 1939–40 | Scots-Americans (4) | Swedish-Americans (1) | Charlie Ernst (Metro) ??? (NE) | Not awarded |
| 1940–41 | Scots-Americans (5) | Fall River S.C. (1) | Fabri Salcedo (Metro) ??? (NE) | Not awarded |
| 1941–42 | Philadelphia Americans (2) | St. Michael's (unofficial) | John Nanoski (Metro) ??? (NE) | Not awarded |
| 1942–43 | Brooklyn Hispano (1) | league dormant | Chappie Sheppell (Metro) | Not awarded |
| 1943–44 | Philadelphia Americans (3) | league dormant | Tommy Marshall (Metro) | Not awarded |

#### 1944/45 through 1983

| Year | Winner (number of titles) | Runners-up | Top scorer | MVP |
| 1944–45 | Brookhattan (1) | Philadelphia Americans | John Nanoski | Steve Rozbora |
| 1945–46 | Baltimore Americans (1) | Brooklyn Hispano | Fabri Salcedo | Ray McFaul |
| 1946–47 | Philadelphia Americans (4) | Brooklyn Wanderers | Bill Fisher | Servile Mervine |
| 1947–48 | Philadelphia Americans (5) | Kearny Scots | Nicholas Kropfelder | John O'Connell |
| 1948–49 | Philadelphia Nationals (1) | New York Americans | Pito Villanon | John O'Connell |
| 1949–50 | Philadelphia Nationals (2) | Kearny Celtic | Joe Gaetjens | Joe Maca |
| 1950–51 | Philadelphia Nationals (3) | Kearny Celtic | Nicholas Kropfelder | John Donald |
| 1951–52 | Philadelphia Americans (6) | Kearny Scots | Dick Roberts | Benny McLaughlin |
| 1952–53 | Philadelphia Nationals (4) | Newark Portuguese | Pito Villanon | Pito Villanon |
| 1953–54 | New York Americans (2) | Brookhattan | Jack Calder | Cyril Hannaby |
| 1954–55 | Uhrik Truckers (7) | Brooklyn Hispano | John Ferris | John Ferris |
| 1955–56 | Uhrik Truckers (8) | Elizabeth Falcons | Gene Grabowski | Jack Hynes |
| 1956–57 | New York Hakoah-Americans (1) | Uhrik Truckers | George Brown | John Oliver |
| 1957–58 | New York Hakoah-Americans (2) | Ukrainian Nationals | Lloyd Monsen | Walter Kudenko |
| 1958–59 | New York Hakoah-Americans (3) | Ukrainian Nationals | Pasquale Pepe (17) | Yuriy Kulishenko |
| 1959–60 | Colombo (1) | Ukrainian Nationals | Mike Noha (16) | Andy Racz |
| 1960–61 | Ukrainian Nationals (1) | Falcons S.C. | Herman Niss (17) | Mike Noha |
| 1961–62 | Ukrainian Nationals (2) | Inter-Brooklyn Italians | Peter Millar (18) | Peter Millar |
| 1962–63 | Ukrainian Nationals (3) | Inter S.C. | Ismael Ferreyra (14) | Peter Millar |
| 1963–64 | Ukrainian Nationals (4) | Boston Metros | Walter Chyzowych (15) | Abbie Wolanow |
| 1964–65 | Hartford S.C (1) | Newark Portuguese | Herculiano Riguerdo (7) | Alberto Falak |
| 1965–66 | Roma S.C. (1) | Newark Ukrainian Sitch | Walter Chyzowych (27) | Walter Chyzowych |
| 1966–67 | Baltimore St. Gerards (1) | Newark Ukrainian Sitch | Jorge Benitez (16) | Myron Worobec |
| 1967–68 | Ukrainian Nationals (5) | New York Inter | Ivan Paleto (14) | Robert Waugh |
| 1968 | Washington Darts (1) | Rochester Lancers | Gerry Browne (12) | |
| 1969 | Washington Darts (2) | Syracuse Scorpions | Jim Lefkos (22) | Robert Waugh |
| 1970 | Philadelphia Ukrainians (6) | Philadelphia Spartans | Juan Paletta (6) Willie Mfum | Albert Trik |
| 1971 | New York Greeks (1) | Boston Astros | Charles Duccilli (11) | Bob Hatzos |
| 1972 | Cincinnati Comets (1) | New York Greeks | Charles Duccilli (5) Nelson Brizuela Joseph Oqnajac George Pulita John Kostakis | Ringo Cantillo |
| 1973 | New York Apollo (2) | Cincinnati Comets | Eddy Roberts (12) | Helio Barbosa |
| 1974 | Rhode Island Oceaneers (1) | New York Apollo | Mohammad Attiah (11) | Ringo Cantillo |
| 1975 | New York Apollo (3), Boston Astros (1) | co-champions | José Neto (23) | José Neto |
| 1976 | Los Angeles Skyhawks (1) | New York Apollo | Jim Hinch (13) José Neto | Jim Hinch |
| 1977 | New Jersey Americans (1) | Sacramento Spirits | José Neto (17) | Ringo Cantillo |
| 1978 | New York Apollo (4) | Los Angeles Skyhawks | Jim Rolland (17) Mike Mancini José Neto | Jim Rolland |
| 1979 | Sacramento Gold (1) | Columbus Magic | Poli Garcia (15) Joey Fink | Poli Garcia |
| 1980 | Pennsylvania Stoners (1) | Sacramento Gold | Mal Roche (17) | George Gorleku |
| 1981 | Carolina Lightnin' (1) | New York United | Billy Boljevic (25) | Billy Boljevic |
| 1982 | Detroit Express (1) | Oklahoma City Slickers | Andy Chapman (23) | Brian Tinnion |
| 1983 | Jacksonville Tea Men (1) | Pennsylvania Stoners | Jeff Bourne (17) | Peter Simonini |

### Complete 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 Corinthians 1946 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) Uhrik Truckers (1933/34-64/65, as Philadelphia German-Americans in 1933/34-40/41; as Philadelphia Americans in 1941/42-53/54; became Uhrik Truckers in February 1953/54 season) Utah Golden Spikers (1976, expelled from league during 1976 season) Utah Pioneers (1976, replaced Golden Spikers, played out 1976 season) Washington Darts (1967/68-69, as Washington Britannia in 1967/68) Washington Cavaliers (1971–72, as Virginia Capitol Cavaliers in 1971) Worcester Astros (1967/68-75, as Fall River Astros from 1967/68-68; as Boston Astros in 1968–75; moved to Worcester at end of 1975 season) |

## Explanatory notes

* ↑ St. Michael's won a first half playoff game over the Scandinavians. That game was ordered to be replayed during the league's second half. The replay never occurred and the league's second half ended after only one more game was played.