Buffalo Blazers
Buffalo Blazers was a soccer team in Buffalo, New York. They competed in the National Soccer League from 1976-1978, 1980. They were one of only four American teams (Detroit Besa, Detroit Canadians, and Detroit Vardar) to have competed in the National Soccer League which was based in Canada. History. The Blazers joined the NSL for the 1976 season and became the first representative from Buffalo to compete in the league. The team ownership initially applied for a franchise in the North American Soccer League, but the Upstate New York territorial rights were held by the Rochester Lancers . Buffalo's first home venue was at Lackwanna Stadium in Lackawanna, New York. The Blazers in 1977 played their games at War Memorial Stadium, and secured promotion to the NSL First Division. In July 1978, the team moved their home venue to Hyde Park Stadium in Niagara Falls, New York to increase their attendance numbers. In 1979, the Blazers played as an amateur soccer team with Stephen Mechtler serving as the head coach. In 1980, after a one-year hiatus in 1980, the Blazers continued competition in the National Soccer League. The Blazers hired Carlo Del Monte as their head  coach who previously managed Hamilton Italo-Canadians. Del Monte assembled a roster that consisted of many former Hamilton players. The acquisitions proved initially successful as Buffalo produced an undefeated streak of eight matches. They're on field performance would later produce mediocre results due to internal strife within the organization. The club managed to secure the final postseason berth, but the league executive denied participation in the playoffs due to their financial and player issues. In 1981, the club ceased operations, and were replaced by Detroit Besa.