Category: 1979

At the end of the decade Europe was in similar to South America situation: no truly outstanding players. Some were already too old, others still young and not trusted. The Europeans were not as adventures as the South Americans and voted for the well known. Upcoming stars did not get many votes – Hansi Muller got only 1, for instance. Michel Platini was good for only 5th place – the European journalists did not give credit even when presented with evidence. Club success was strong guiding principle – Maradona would never have been voted first in Europe because his club did not win a trophy. But lacking players like Beckenbauer and Cruyff, the European journalists went full ahead for the best known name at the moment… Kevin Keegan was overwhelming winner with 118 points. The second placed had less than half of that: 52. Further down was the 3rd – 41, and then there was one more chasm between him and the 5th, who had 27. Manfred Kaltz was 5th… perhaps at his best at exactly that time. He was ahead of Platini, who also was peaking. Ruud Krol was 3rd – if consistency was valued, he should have been 1st – at the moment, he was arguably the best European defender and was top world class player for many years. But Ajax was a pale shadow of what it was in the beginning of the 1970s… and Krol was not getting many votes. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was 2nd – again a player at his prime, but… Bayern was in deep crisis, so forget him. A few players should have been higher – but they were not, because conservatives voted and they deemed them too young to be a certain quality, or playing for smaller clubs to be real stars, or playing for teams not winning. Uli Stielike, Bruno Pezzey, Kenny Dalglish, Paolo Rossi, Liam Brady, Marius Tresor, Franco Causio – they were all at their best form and got little recognition. Then again, who can really tell who is best? Every name can be objected. Success was solid criteria, Hamburger SV was rapidly rising, Keegan was essential for that, he was already a superstar, he had strong season, and… he was perhaps ranked lower than he should have been a few years back. Journalists voted for him massively. He had no real rival too… And there is no need to say anything more about him – Keegan needs no introduction.

Kevin Keegan – the European player of the year for a second time. Adorable player even when he is not looking pleased.

 

South America voted differently. Today the best player of 1979 seems natural choice – but it was not so back in time. There is peculiar trouble: the big names of the 1970s were shaky and not exactly successful. Journalists were torn between natural inclination to elect well known for years players, but since they were not satisfying a radical change perhaps was in order. The top ten reveals a clear split: Passarella was 8th, Kempes – suffering from injuries – 9th. Fillol – 4th. These won the world championship in 1978 – but were nothing a year later… Zico was 5th – the ‘White Pele’ still had no real victory with neither club, nor national team. The Uruguayan Fernando Morena was 6th – clearly a sympathy vote, for he played for small Spanish club – Rayo Vallecano – and was hardly noticed in Europe. Similar was the case of Carlos Caszely – the Chilean was never a big international news and perhaps was not as good as he was 5 years back. But he was well known name. The old guard was carried on reputation really – and compared to stars from the 1960s, may be found not so great. Argentina and Uruguay had miserable Copa America. Brazil also did not shine. Yet, the Paraguayans,who won both Copa America and Copa Libertadores were hardly great stars – interestingly, not a single player of Olimpia (Asuncion) made the top 10 and only one Paraguayan was included in it. The journalists went for the future – they voted for the young players, who were to really bloom in the next decade. May be a bit premature shift, but it was better than electing some old horse only because he played fantastic football 5 or 10 years ago. The next generation was represented by 4 players – the Argentine striker Ramon Diaz was 10th, his strength was largely based on the second Under-20 World Championship, which Argentina won and he was the top scorer of the finals. And this was the objective problem… great players normally play for highly successful teams. Unfortunately, this was not the case this year and it was very difficult to justify votes. At the end, even the final standing may have been affected by calculations of success – the top three places went to future stars.

Falcao was 3rd, perhaps the only more or less established player among the top three, but just beginning to be a key player for Brazil. Unfortunately for him, no international success – Internacional Porto Alegre won the Brazilian title, but that was all – Brazil did not excel this year.

Second was Julio Cesar Moreno. For many – not just a rival of Maradona, but better than the Argentine. But… Moreno played for a small club – Sportivo Luqueno was the best provincial club of Paraguay, yet, not capable of overcoming the clubs from the capital. The Paraguayan league was small and compared to Brazil, Argentina, even Chile and Peru – a weaker one. Moreno really shined at Copa America and was instrumental to the victory of his country, but perhaps even this counted a bit against him: Argentina and Brazil played with strange teams, as if they did not care for the continental tournament.

First was Diego Maradona – but what can be said about his success? Like Moreno, he played for a smaller club – Argentinos Juniors were not bad, they had more than just Maradona, but they achieved nothing in the Argentinian championships. The national team was even worse. Maradona himself hardly played at Copa America. Yes, he was sensational, scored goals, the fans adored him, but without trophies it was difficult to judge him the best. Perhaps the Under-20 World championship tipped the scale in his favour – he captained Argentina to the title. Junior title… His teammate Osvaldo Rinaldi said “Before every match, Diego played with the ball, putting it on his neck or his shoulders while the Japanese people couldn’t stop applauding him. When I would see this, I would say to myself: “Wow, and the show hasn’t even started yet”. True, but this was in Japan – before still young and unsophisticated audience, easily impressed. It may have been different, if Argentina lost the final – they played against USSR, which had a team of players soon to become more than known around the world. To a point, Argentina even had lesser team than the Soviets.

Standing from left: Sergio Garcia, Sperandio, Carabelli, Rossi, Simon, H.Alves.

First row: Barbas, Escudero, Ramon Diaz, Maradona, Calderon.

At the final Sperandio was replaced by already mentioned Rinaldi. Junior teams are never big indication for future stardom – some players expire early, others develop later. Simon, Barbas, and Calderon eventually became stars. Ramon Diaz – bigger one than the previous three. The rest faded into oblivion… a junior team. Maradona won with it – the only victory he had this year, not the same as winning Copa America, but combined with his impressive play for his club, it sufficed.

Diego Maradona, still teenager, but already captaining Argentinos Juniors, was voted the best South American player.

Perhaps boringly familiar picture now – Maradona scored yet another goal – but it was new back than. It was matches like this one – he destroyed Boca Juniors with fantastic goals, despite the vicious tackles – which perhaps counted more than the junior world title. Maradona had arrived. May be it was even good that most established names of that time underperformed – Maradona became more visible.

African player of the year was voted Thomas N’Kono. As almost every year, no European-based players were included, casting doubt about the real strength of the top African players. More or less, votes went to players of the continental winners. Kerfalla Bangoura (Horoya, Conacry, Guinea) was 3rd with 15 points. Adolf Armah (Hearts of Oak, Ghana) – second with 23 points. Players not heard of before or after… No player of the winners of the African Champions Cup appeared among the top 3. The winner was another story.

N’Kono played for Canon Yaounde, which kind of explains why he was voted high. But there was consistency: It may be debatable was Canon the strongest African club of the decade, but it is certain that it was among the few outstanding clubs and very successful internationally. N’Kono himself was not a meteor like many other African players – coming from nowhere and disappearing just as quickly. In 1978 N’Kono was voted 3rd best player – a year later he was number 1. There were no whims and petty favouritism in voting for him. And his star was going to soar even higher. His first international recognition went unnoticed outside Africa, but it was overwhelming – he got 55 points: 17 more than the combined record of the next two players.

 

The African Champions Cup was equally exotic to outsiders, but more troublesome than the Cup Winners Cup. Perhaps one has to look to the political history of Africa in order to get some meaning of seemingly anarchic football tournaments – internal and international conflicts, poverty, fantastic ambitious, propaganda reasons played big roles in the game. Because of apartheid, South Africa was expelled from the continental federation. Many countries did not participate in the club tournaments for various reasons – 28 teams participated in the 1979 Champions Cup, at least before the tournament started. Two withdraw without playing a match, curiously, they were paired together: Breweries (Kenya) and Al-Merreikh (Sudan). Bata Bullets (Malawi) followed suit without playing a match. Simba FC (Uganda) traveled to play the first leg against Zamalek (Egypt), lost 1-2, and withdraw. One may wonder why they they spent money on difficult travel to Egypt at all. Well, it was familiar picture – withdrawals happened every year. And not only in the first round.

At the 1/8 finals Matlama FC (Lesotto) had no opponent at all – thanks to the withdrawal of Breweries and Al-Merreikh in the first round. Ogaden Anbassa (Ethiopia) withdraw at this stage – another curiousity, typical of Africa: Odaden Anbassa did not play any match: they qualified to the 1/8 finals because Bata Bullets withdrew before the first round started. Now it was the turn of the Ethiopian champions to do the same. Zamalek qualified to the ¼ with only one home game so far: Simba FC decided not to play the second leg against the Egyptians in the first round and Odagen Anbassa – not at all in the second.

No club withdraw from the third round, but this does not mean all games were played: Zamalek won 3-1 the first leg against CS Imana (Zaire) at home. In the second leg CS Imana was leading 1-0 when the match was abandoned. The reason is murky, for African football is notoriously corrupt, but CS Imana was awarded a win and they reached the semi-finals. Zamalek was expelled – after playing a total of 2 and half matches, of which they won 2. There was another drama at the ¼ finals – Hafia (Guinea) played against Hearts Of Oak (Ghana): arguably, the strongest African club at the time vs the represent of arguably strongest football nation of the continent. Hafia won 2-0 in Conacry. The Ghanaian champions prevailed at home 3-0 and eliminated the closest to a super-club the continent had (Hafia was more than supported by the Guinean government: they were designed to be a show case of the country – all best players were moved to Hafia by political order).

The semi-finals were clean affair – in terms of results. CS Imana was obviously not that strong a team and they lost both legs to Union Douala (Cameroon): 1-2 and 0-1. The other semi-final was even less dramatic – Hearts of Oak were clearly superior to US Goree (Senegal). The Hearts won 2-1 in Senegal and 4-1 at home. At a glance, the finalists represented the top of the African football: the traditional ‘powerhouse’ Ghana vs rapidly developing and already leading on club level Cameroon.

Exciting or not, the final at least was played between equal opponents. Hearts of Oak won the first leg in Accra 1-0. The second leg was played in Yaounde – most likely because there was no big enough stadium in Douala – Union won also 1-0. The winner was decided by penalty shootout. Usually home turf benefits a team at such occasion, but Union was not playing at home… Still, there was home turf advantage – at least because supporters of visiting African teams were few, if any, back in the 1970s: it was expensive and difficult to travel abroad just to see a match. Union won the shootout 5-3 and triumphed in front of their cheerful fans. And that is almost all one could say about the final… no other records except the results can be traced.

Hearts of Oak, very old by African standards club, popular and successful at home, were not so successful internationally. Yes, the represented arguably the strongest African football nation – but this to a point is also a myth, for Ghana did not really dominate the continent neither on the level of national teams, nor at club level. There is no recognizable player traceable to the team reaching and losing the Champions Cup final – and this is a hint of the difference between winner and losers.

Union – Union Sportive Douala, as the full name is – triumphed with their first international trophy. It was more than club’s success: winning the cup testified for the strength of the whole Cameroonian football: the country won both African club trophies this year. It was a second consecutive year Cameroonians won the Champions Cup. The Cup went to Cameroon for a 4th time – after 1964, 1971, and 1978. It was not only teams from the capital winning internationally – suggesting high quality of Cameroonian football as a whole, not simply one or two clubs, where the best players of the country were brought together by governmental whim. And Union was not very old club – they were founded in 1957, yet, they were already 3 times champions of Cameroon, despite the fact that they had strong rivals in Douala, not to mention the competition of the clubs based in the capital Yaounde. So much can be extracted from the victory… for Union left almost no trace of themselves.

This may be a photo of Union from the great season… at least, it is a picture from that period. No names… not even the line-up from the final matches. Well, there was no particular interest in 1979 – the players were entirely unknown outside Cameroon. Nobody famous back then. The only player known to be part of the winning team is the goalkeeper – Joseph-Antoine Bell (b. 1954). Rings a bell? Of course – his career was spectacular, he was essential part of the successful Cameroonian national team. But fame came in the 1980s – in 1979 nobody knew of Bell, let alone recognizing him as a star. 25-years old, he was still nobody… as his teammates. Internationally, a nobody, but a winner nevertheless. Hard to imagine in 1979 that among the African club winners were two of the all-time best African goalkeepers – Bell and N’Kono.

 

The African Cup Winners Cup started with 28 teams. Three withdrew – USCA Bangui (Central African Republic), Al-Nil (Sudan), and Al-Ittihad (Egypt). Since most participants and their relative strength were entirely unknown, it is impossible to judge were their any upsets in the 1/16 finals – only Kadiogo (Upper Volta) vs Asante Kotoko (Ghana) was a drama: each opponent lost the home match 0-1, so penalty shootout decided the winner. Ghana had strong reputation in Africa, but even this is doubtful to a point. Kadiogo won the shootout 4-2 and eliminated Asante at their home turf.

After the first round, the tournament proceeded without any irregularities – or so it appears on paper. Two winners were decided by away goal rule in the 1/8 finals: Gor Mahia (Kenya) eliminated Nsambya FC (Uganda) after both legs ended in a draw – 0-0 and 1-1. Luckily, Gor Mahia scored in Uganda. Pan African (Tanzania) overcome 2-1 AS Vita Club (Zaire) at home, but lost 0-1 away and Vita qualified. They were also vaguely familiar name outside Africa – something like a favourite.

The ¼ finals opposed AS Vita Club to Canon Yaounde (Cameroon) – the closest to an early meeting of big clubs. Vita were successful in the 1960s-early 1970s, Canon won the African Champions Cup in 1978. Was it a derby is questionable, though. Vita won 3-1 at home, but was entirely destroyed in Yaounde – 1-6. The real drama happened between anonymous clubs: AC Sotema (Madagascar) lost their home leg 0-2 to Bendel Insurance (Nigeria). At the time Nigerian football meant absolutely nothing, yet, Madagascar was less than nothing, so the second match should have been just a matter of protocol. But Sotema upset their hosts and won also 2-0. Penalty shootout decided the winner – Bendel Insurance prevailed 5-3.

Thus, the ½ finalists had two favourites and two outsiders – entirely arbitrary judgment, based on scarce information. The favourites had lucky draw: Canon Yaounde vs Bendel Insurance and Gor Mahia vs Horoya SC (Conacry, Guinea). From today point of view, the strong teams should have been the Nigerians and the Cameroonians – but it was not so in real time. Kenyan football had stronger reputation in the 1960s, carried to the 1970s just as a reputation – more likely Kenyan football was in a decline, compared to other countries, but it was hard to judge. Horoya SC was entirely unknown, but their city rivals Hafia were one of the best clubs in Africa at the time – on that strength, Horoya was taken seriously. A serious ‘may be’ – Gor Mahia was better known club. Evaluations of the other pair were similar – Cameroonian football was on ascent, particularly on club level. Nigeria was not anything special yet. However, rivalry between neighbours existed, so Canon perhaps was expected to win, but nobody would have been sure. And it was the tougher semi-final: only one goal was scored in the two legs. Canon won 1-0 the opening match in Yaounde and then managed a 0-0 tie away. Horoya SC evidently was not Hafia: they lost both legs to Gor Mahia – 0-1- and 0-2.

The final was played between old and new in a sense: fading Kenyan vs progerssing Cameroonian football. The formula was the same as the whole tournament – two matches, played on November 25 and December 9, 1979. It was overwhelming victory of the ‘new’. Canon practically finished Gor Mahia in the first leg, played in Kenya. They won 2-0. Back at home, to the delight of their supporters, Canon scored 6 goals. Gor Mahia was not able to score at all. Canon won the African Cup Winners Cup.

What can be said about the losers? Yes, they were – and are – big in Kenya. They were obviously too weak an opponent at the final. How good, how bad… information is next to nothing and the only way of showing the difference is showing the line-ups of the first leg ( finding them requires serious searching of obscure internet cites. I failed to unearth info about the second leg): Gor Mahia – Dan Odhiambo, Paulo Codra Oduwo, Festus Nyakota, Bobby Ogolla, Mike ‘Machine’ Ogolla, Jerry Imbo, Andrew Obunya (John Chore), Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino, George ‘Best’ Yoga, Allan ‘Ogango wuon pap’ Thigo, Nahashon Oluoch’Lule (Paul Owora). Judging by the nicknames, stars of Kenyan football – the mysterious nickname of Thigo is particularly formidable: ‘ruler of the field’. Perhaps Jerry Imbo and George Yoga have some standing in the history of African football, but even their names mean nothing.

Canon were clearly very strong, in African terms. They won the African Champions Cup in 1978 and continued their international success by easily collecting the Cup Winners Cup in 1979. They were also evidence of rapidly developing football – compared to Hafia (Connacry, Guinea), perhaps the strongest African club in the second half of the 1970s, there was big difference: Hafia had no rival at home and no matter how good they were, the national team of Guinea was not really strong. Canon had strong rivals in Cameroon and did not dominate the country’s football – best in Africa, they did not win the Cameroonian championship and had to play in the lesser continental tournament in 1979. They also had a star player recognized outside Africa – Jean Manga Onguene was not huge international star, but if outsiders recognized an African player at all, it was his name. The national team of Cameroon was also pushing ahead and establishing among the strong African national teams. And the evidence was presented in the line-up beating Gor Mahia in Kenya: Thomas N’Kono, Doumbe Lea, Ibrahim Aoudou, Isaac Sinkot, Emmanuel Kunde, Gregoire M’Bida, Theophile Abega, Jean Manga Onguene, Oule Oule (Ernest Ebongue), Jean-Paul Akono. Of course, everybody would recognize one name – Thomas N’Kono – but in 1979 the recognizable name was Jean Manga Onguene, one of the best African players in the 1970s. N’Kono, however, is emblematic: he was 23 years old, entirely unheard of, and had to wait until 1982 to become world-famous. He represented the generation which put African football on the map thanks to the wonderful performance of Cameroon at the 1982 World Cup. He was not alone: 6 players of this squad played at the 1982 World Cup: N’Kono, Aoudou, Kunde, M’Bida, Abega, and Ebongue. Five of them were born between 1954 and 1956 – one generation. Ebongue was younger – born 1962 – suggesting, that the older players were not just one-time affair, but Cameroonian football was building and developing continuously. Nobody knew those players in 1979, but they were already very successful. As for Canon, the club already was 3 times Cameroonian champion, won 7 cups, 1 African Champions Cup, and added one Cup Winners Cup. Not bad? Well, they were hungry for more.

But football was played and results depended largely on momentary strength of a team, for the only club which had something like long-term plan was Cosmos. Rochester Lancers, Atlanta Chiefs, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, New England Tea Men, Memphis Rogues, Edmonton Drillers, and San Jose Earthquakes were the teams eliminated after the first phase of the championship finished. Cosmos had the best record of all clubs, finishing with 216 points.

In the next stage things changed a bit – direct elimination took no account of any previous performance. Houston Huricane, the team with second best record in the first phase, lost both legs to Philadelphia Fury, which was 3rd in their original Eastern Division of the American Conference and the team with the worst record in the first phase – they got 111 points, which was less than all 4th-placed clubs in the National Conference. In fact all pairs at this stage had stronger team, winning both legs. The worst team at this stage was California Surf – they were champions of their division, but now lost 2-4 and 2-7 to San Diego Sockers. Three matches were decided in overtime, the most dramatic was the victory of Tulsa Roughnecks over Minnesota Kicks: both legs went into overtime, eventually the Roughnecks prevailing both times 2-1.

The Conference ½ finals followed and here two teams were eliminated, which in another country could have been a surprise.

Los Angeles Aztecs, lead by Michels and Cruyff, looked like a team aiming at the title. However, they were eliminated by Vancouver Whitecaps – a club with may be too much British flavour to be considered stronger than fashionable Dutch. It was strong and dramatic battle, though: each opponent won a leg, but the match in Los Angeles went to a shoot-out to brake the tie. The rule of third mini-match was applied after the two legs and Vancouver won it 1-0. Cruyff was asked about his impression of NASL and his future – he said he will play one more year in North America and retire for good. Definitely. Remember this statement.

One more match was decided by shootout – the first match between Philadelphia Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies. Tampa Bay won both legs at the end. New York Cosmos had troubles against Tulsa Roughnecks – the opponents won their home legs 3-0 each and once again a mini-game was scheduled: this time Cosmos won 3-1.

The last pair gave the second surprise:

Judging by the squad, Chicago Sting was favourite. But they were unable to score even a single goal and lost both legs to San Diego Sockers.

Thus, the Conference finals opposed San Diego Sockers to Tampa Bay Rowdies for the title of American Conference, and New York Cosmos to Vancouver Whitecaps for National Conference championship final. Third match decided both winners: Vancouver and San Diego won their home leg, but lost after shootout the second. Tampa Bay eliminated San Diego in the third mini-match 1-0, but the other Conference final had no winner and went to yet another shootout. Vancouver won it 3-2.

San Diego Sockers, perhaps the least impressive squad of the Conference finalists, still had players familiar with success: Harsanyi was part of the strong Ujpesti Dosza team of mid-1970s, Gross reached the UEFA Cup final with Twente and even played a match for the national team of West Germany in 1970. The real stars were Cuellar and Sanchez, who came on loan from UNAM. But that was nothing compared to the other loser.

Cosmos’ squad was formidable and compared to any other – unbeatable. It was perhaps the only NASL team, not just a few old stars and bunch of so-so players. But Beckenbauer and Co. lost.

So, on September 8 Vancouver Whitecaps and Tampa Bay Rowdies met at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, to decide the championship. Soccer Bowl’79. Over 50 000 attended – the record attendance of the season was much higher, but still it was huge crowd for a country not concerned with this kind of football. Trevor Whymark gave the lead to Vancouver in the 13th minute. Van der Veen equalized in the 23rd minute. In the second half Whymark scored his second goal in the 60th minute and since no more goals were scored Vancouver won 2-1. The new NASL champions hailed from Canada.

Tampa Bay came close to winning the championship, ending a strong season – they won their division, and did not lose a match in the play-offs – not in regular time, that is. But they were not as solid team as Vancouver. The stars of the team were of smaller status: Rodney Marsh (England) – a lesser version of George Best on and off the field, Mirandinha (Brazil), who played at the 1974 World Cup, but was never called to play for Brazil after that, Arsen Auguste (Haiti), who also played at the 1974 World Cup, Peter Baralic (Yugoslavia), a former regular of Crvena zvezda (Belgrade), but never a national team player, Jan van der Veen (Holland), who played for various Dutch and Belgian clubs, but not the big ones. The best player this year was Oscar Fabbiani, born in Argentina, but when playing in Chile became Chilean citizen and national team player, including at 1979 Copa America – Fabbiani was not wold famous, but finished as the top striker of NASL this season.

Vancouver Whitecaps enjoyed wonderful season, crowned with the title. Perhaps they were the team with the best chemistry in the league: largely English squad plus few good Canadian players familiar with British football, coached by English coach. No language problems, familiar tactical approach, familiar training, good fighting spirit. A few Canadian legends practically established themselves this year – Bob and Dan Lenarduzzi, Carl Valentine and Tony Waiters, the coach. Bruce Grobelaar, a reserve keeper still, got his introduction to big football and soon became famous with Liverpool. That was the legacy of this team – its real strength in 1979 was the British stars known for years already. Allan Ball (b.1945), world champion of 1966 with 72 caps and 8 goals for England, Kevin Hector (b. 1944), English champion with Darby County and 2 caps, Trevor Whymark (b. 1950) was a regular with constantly improving in the 1970s Ipswich Town and played 1 match for England, Phil Parkes (b. 1947), the goalkeeper of the strong Woolverhampton Wanderers side of the first half of the 1970s and also familiar with North American football, having played for US teams in 1967 and 1969, Willie Johnston (b. 1946), 21 caps for Scotland and long time key player of Glasgow Rangers, also ill-famed – he was tested positive for a banned stimulant at the 1978 World Cup and consequently expelled from the Scottish team. Finally, Bob McNab (b. 1944), well known from his years with Arsenal, having also 4 caps for England – his role was more or less symbolic, for he played only 3 matches for Vancouver in 1979 – two more than Bruce Grobelaar (b. 1957). Ball, Parkes, and Whymark were the key figures.

Vancouver bought Trevor Whymark for $300 000 from Ipswich Town – money well spent, for he scored both goals for his new club at the final and thus Vancouver won the title.

The stars were influential and inspirational, but it was a squad of similar minds: 12 English players, 1 Scot, 10 born or naturalized Canadians, and 1 player from South Africa/Zimbabwe – same language, same culture, same kind of football from coach to last reserve. Chemistry was perhaps essential for success.

 

Central and North America was all about NASL. Talking about hype… statistics and awards. So many of those, it is even pointless to mention most: it looked like no one should have been forgotten and given something. The end of the1970s were the the peak years of NASL, a league going fast to its doom. 24 teams participated in the 12th league season. There were some changes: two teams were relocated. In another country that would mean two clubs seized to exist, but in North America it was just moving a franchise from one place to another… Colorado Caribous, the club with the most garish kit, was no more – there was Atlanta Chiefs instead. Oakland Stompers became Edmonton Drillers – they moved to another country, not just to another city. Two franchises only changed names: Toronto Metro-Croatia became Toronto Blizzard and Cosmos returned to its original name New York Cosmos.

The rules of the championship were almost left untouched, but must be mentioned because they were weird and complicated. 6 points for a win, 1 point for a shootout win, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for each regulation goal scored up to three per game. Goal-scoring was a combination of goal+pass – 2 points per goal, 1 per assist. The new addition was breaking the tie in the play-offs: 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 a shoot-out to determine a series winner. The rest was ‘familiar’ – the league was divided into 2 conferences, each divided itself into 3 divisions, consisting of 4 clubs each. Every team played 30 games in the first phase – a mix bag of games played against their divisional opponents and some others. 8 clubs were going to the conference play-offs and here was the first little obstacle. The top 2 of each division was understandable… plus 2 of the three 3rd-placed teams. Points determined those, so the team with least points among the 3rd-placed was out. Practically, only 4 of the 12 members of each conference were out of the race after the first stage. The play-offs proceeded with 2 regular games and a mini-game after that, if there was a tie. Direct elimination followed to the conference final. The winners of each conference played a single match league final – the Soccer Bowl. The championship was played largely in the summer, ending on September 8th. The schedule, added by the lax transfer rules, made the usual mess – players changed clubs during the season, came on loan from other clubs, or moved to NASL after there European and South American seasons finished. The league always trumpeted its ‘world’ status, so the biggest emphasize was on foreign players – to the point to be impossible to tell who was legitimate import. Naturalized Canadians were presented often – but not always – as Canadians; naturalized or just born overseas Americans were most often presented as foreigners. The results were even comic, for there was a Japanese player according to NASL this year – in reality, a guy with american parents and thorough Anglo-Saxon name, who was born in Japan, having no other relation to the country. The Yugoslavians – arguably, the second biggest group of players after the British – were the most complicated case: most were Yugoslavian born, yet, listed rather frivolously as Yugoslavians, Americans, and Canadians – real citizenship seemingly was not important to the league. Since proper team-building was never practiced in NASL, the closest to it was the current coach, also a foreigner, convincing the club’s brass to get a bulk of players of his own country – thus, many teams had distinct flavour: British, Yugoslavian, and in 1979 – Dutch. For in 1979 a famous coach finally arrived in NASL – Rinus Michels was hired by Los Angeles Aztecs and with him – a bunch of Dutch players. Transfers, then… or what looked like traditional transfers. Since the list was enourmous every summer, only what appeared to be the biggest ones will be mentioned. Johan Cruyff signed with Los Angeles Aztecs – wait a second: he retired from the game in 1978. Well, he came back – without mentioning retirement, as if never announced. Wim Suurbier arrived in Los Angeles too. Plus three more Dutch players, hardly known, but Dutch – Leo van Veen, Thomas Rougen, and Hubert Smeets. Thus, Los Angeles Aztecs were clearly based on Dutch sceleton. Cosmos bought their usual group of big names – Dutch stars Johan Neeskens and Wim Rijsbergen, the Brazilian full back Francisco Marinho, the Iranian full back, so impressive at the 1978 World Cup, Andranik Eskandarian, and… almost annonimous West German goalkeeper, who played largely second division football to this moment – Hubert Birkenmeier. Neeskens and Birkenmeier were clearly not on the same level, but… Birkenmeier quickly established himself as the best NASL goalkeeper, so may be he was more important player in the history of the league than his famous teammate.

In short time Birkenmeier became the top NASL goalkeeper – nobody remembers him in Germany, but in USA he became a legend.

Of course, the league was full of famous names: here is a brief sample: Horst Blankenburg, Arno Steffenhagen, Wim van Hanegem, Peter Ressel, Jorgen Kristensen, and Dick Advocaat were all with Chicago Sting. Except Advocaat, the rest won huge number of domestic and European trophies in the 1970s. Then again everybody known who Advocaat is nowadays. Bjorn Nordqvist and Willie Morgan played for Minnesota Kicks. Alex Stepney and Antonio Simoes for Dallas Tornado. Salif Keita, Artur, Alhinho, and Jordao – for New England Tea Men, which seemingly chose Portuguese sceleton. Peter Lorimer was with Toronto Blizzard. David Nish with Tulsa Roughnecks. Alan Hudson and Harry Redknapp with Seattle Sounders. Clyde Best with Portland Timbers. Miralem Fazlic, Julio Baylon, and Piero Prati with Rochester Lancers. Phil Parkes, Kevin Hector, Willie Johnston, Allan Ball, and entirely unknown yet Bruce Grobelaar with Vancouver Whitecaps. Trevor Francis with Detroit Express. So far – relatively clear, but: Joszef Horvath (Washington Diplomats) and Laszlo Harsanyi, Hugo Sanchez, Leonardo Cuellar, and Julie Veee, all of San Diego Sockers were not so. The Mexican stars Sanchez and Cuellar were loaned to the Sockers after the end of the Mexican season – or may be even before the end? The three Hungarians are difficult to figure out – were they legally allowed to play abroad or were they refugees? Looks like Hungary started exporting players after the 1978 World Cup – largely, in 1979. But the trio played abroad before that and most likely were defectors. Horvath arrived from Rot Weiss (Essen, West Germany), where he played in the 1977-78 season. Harsanyi joined San Diego in 1978. As for Julie Veee, this is not his real name, but the one he chose to use when he left Hungary – he was clearly a defector, eventually became US citizen and even played for the national team of USA. Yet, listed as Hungarian in the NASL records – but American when he played in Europe, for he moved often from one continent to another. Big names, not so bi names… who is not familiar with the names above can just Google them and find out. Perhaps the most famous new arrival this year was Gerd Muller. If not the biggest, at least the most emblematic.

Gerd Muller displaying his new shirt – contract signed with Fort Lauderdale Strikers. On his right, the old star of the team – one George Best. Well, who can dream of more lethal strikers than Muller and Best together? Note the number Muller got – 15. Strange, for NASL heavily promoted ‘brands’ – and Muller’s ‘brand’ was number 9. The other option was 13 – the number he used at the 1970 and 1974 World Cups. The new number was not one associated with Muller. Then again, George Best played with number 3 this season. Eventually these two got one more famous addition to help them from the midfield – the Peruvian star Teofilo Cubillas. Jumping ahead, he had excellent season. Muller too, but the picture above was a hint of the life in NASL:

Soon Muller was photographed enjoying American life. Doesn’t look concerned with the next game… NASL was really well paid good time for aging stars. A bit of football and back to the pool with glass in hand – George Best was the master at that. Gerd Muller was starting to enjoy his booze too… eventually becoming an alcoholic, just like Best.

As for the less important than drinking activity – playing football – this photo shows something unthinkable: Muller vs Beckenbauer. They never played against each other before 1979. The famous teammates, fond of each other, creating fantastic moments for years together, now were opposing each other. And both using new, unfamiliar numbers. Well, this was NASL summerized in three photos – no wonder European and South American players loved it. George Best summed it once upon a time: one can spent hours everyday in the bar and nobody will ever bother him with nasty press. After all, socker players were never real stars in North America – the press covered baseball, american football, basketball, ice hockey. Golf and tennis players, boxers were more important too – and socker players enjoyed almost anonymous, but rich life to indulge in their vices. British players liked their drink, Neeskens his drugs, and so on – and nobody cared. Life was great and to hell with football.

Two changes in 1st division for the new season – one was normal, the other – peculiar.

Club Deportivo Zacatepec (Zacatepec city, Morelos state) was the 2nd division winner the pervious season and promoted. It was a quick return to top flight for the ‘Caneros’ (‘Sugarcane growers’) – although their best years were in the 1950s, usually they played in first division. Relegated in 1976-77, they came after a season in the lower division.

The second new name was really new: Deportivo Neza.

The club was founded in 1978 and was member of the top division without even playing a single official match. This was possible in Mexico because of peculiar rules – a combination of traditional football rules and US rules. The Mexican league, like professional leagues in USA, sold franchises and that was what the participating clubs owned. And had the right to sell. The franchise was the whole thing – not the name, not the location. As a result, clubs appeared and disappeared, popping in different cities and confusing forever fans and historians. After the 1977-78 season ended the city of Neza bought the franchise of Club de Futbol Laguna. Deportivo Neza was founded and took the place of now defunct club in first division. Go figure… was there continuation or was it something entirely new? Deportivo Neza itself did not last long -in 1982 the club – or the franchise? – was sold and moved to Tamaulipas, becoming Correcaminos UAT. Years later Deportivo Neza was resurrected and today plays in the Mexican 3rd division. Meantime Correcaminos was gone and the cities of Neza and Laguna had been quite regularly represented in first division. Tracing who is who is very difficult – Mexican teams are often written either as just city names or by their nicknames, both suggesting continuation, not different entities. Just looking at final tables, it seems that Neza has long, long history. In the same time Deportivo Neza and, say, Toros Neza have nothing in common… or may be they have… Anyhow, the system provided a way around traditional rules of ascent, a parallel system of going up – a club may go up from the bottom of the system, from league to league, via standard rules of promotion. Or may bye a franchise and become a member of first division without the difficulties of having to play at all. The ‘Coyotes’, as Deportivo Neza were nicknamed, chose the quick way – as many other short or long lasting clubs… or franchises?

New ‘Coyotes’ were hardly new as a roster at their debut. They impressed no one in their first season. At the end, what mattered was only that: there was no more Club de Futbol Laguna and there was Deportivo Neza. The beloved cliché of sports journalists – ‘writing history’, ‘re-writing history’, ‘the rest is history’ – hardly apply in the Mexican case: precisely history is difficult to uncover and as for ‘writing it’… the ‘Coyotes’ were apparently not great writers.

The Mexican league was subdivided into 4 groups of 5 teams each. All teams played twice against each other, as everywhere in the world, but every group had separate table. The top two teams of each group went ahead, the rest finished the season. The team with least points among the bottom placed in the groups was relegated. Deportivo Neza finished last in Group 4 – so much for ‘writing history’ – but escaped relegation. Veracruz from Group 1 finished with 23 points. Club Social y Deportivo Jalisco (Guadalajara) – now defunct – had 28 in Group 2, and Deportivo Neza – 30 points. Hardly a memorable start, but at least the Coyotes escaped relegation. From the teams unable to go ahead perhaps the unluckiest were Atlante and Puebla.

Atlante, old club from Mexico City, was normally expected to perform better – clubs from the capital should have more money than others and therefore better teams. But Atlante finished 4th in Group 1.

Puebla finished 3rd in Group 3.

The winners were mixed bag – some typical favourites, some inreasingly getting stronger young clubs, and some surprises. Zacatepec, just coming back from 2nd division, was one of the surprises. Monterrey and America were the top two in Group 1, UNAM and Atletico Potosino from Group2, Cruz Azul and Toluca – Group 3, and UANL and Zacatepec – Group 4. If a normal table was made, Cruz Azul would have been 1st – they had the most points, 51, followed by UANL with 48. Monterrey and America, however, would not be among the best teams in such a table – they earned less points than two clubs taking 3rd places in their groups.

The second stage divided the 8 group winners into 2 quarter-final groups – the winners of each going to the final. Cruz Azul were overwhelming in Group 1. UNAM clinched first place in Group 2 thanks to better goal average. UANL were unlucky 2nd, but they would have been 2nd if goal-difference was the decisive factor too. Zacatepec was the worst team at this stage, but still it was a good season for the newcomers.

The final opposed clubs from the capital – the old and popular Cruz Azul vs rapidly becoming leading and very popular UNAM, better known as Pumas today. It was not to be their year – they were unable to beat Cruz Azul at home and the scoreless tie seemingly benefited the opposition. But in Mexico City ‘home’ games meant little, if anything at all – the second match was the real final, winner takes all. This time Cruz Azul, nominally the host, scored 2 unanswered goals. 0-0 and 2-0 – the champions were dressed in blue.

Cruz Azul triumphed with their 6th title.

UNAM had Hugo Sanchez and Leonardo Cuellar, but Cruz Azul was perhaps the better squad. A bunch of Mexican stars, who played at the 1978 World Cup finals: two defenders – Guillermo Mendizabal (b.1954) and Ignacio Flores (b. 1953) and two midfielders – Horacio Lopez Salgado (b. 1948) and Gerardo Lugo Gomez (b.1955). Ignacio Flores is a club legend – he played only for Cruz Azul during his long career – 1972-1990. 18 years is no joke. The Mexican stars were helped by the usual foreign group of players, who were not international stars, but fitted well in the Mexican league – three Argentinians and one Paraguayan were part of the champion team. Jose Miguel Marin (b. 1945) was reliable goalkeeper, who arrived in Mexico in 1971 and stayed for 10 years. At the time of his arrival he was a member of the national team and played 2 matches for Argentina in 1971. The second Argentine was a defender – Miguel Angel Cornejo (b. 1952) – who played 5 seasons for Cruz Azul (1977-82). The most recent arrival was the midfielder Jose Luis Ceballos (b. 1953) – he came just before the season and instantly helped his new club to win the title. He was also the player with the shortest stay – only 2 seasons. In attack Cruz Azul had a Paraguayan: Carlos Jara Saguier (b. 1950), who arrived in 1975. He was also the only national team player among the foreigners – he played for Paraguay from 1970 to 1981. For Cruz Azul he played until 1983. The team was not world famous, but solid one it was. The title was well deserved – Cruz Azul dominated the league from the start to the end of the season.

North America was worth mentioning only because of Mexico and NASL. NASL was more then a threat to Mexican football – not only all foreign interest was focused on it, but the close proximity made it very easy for US and Canadian clubs to lure Mexican players. But nothing really dangerous happened in 1978-79: the stars stayed at home, particularly Hugo Sanchez and Leonardo Cuellar. Not only that, but Mexico acquired world-class star may be for the first time – Dirceu, the leader of Brazil, moved from Vasco da Gama to America (Mexico City). This was big: stars even old rarely joined Mexican clubs – and Dirceu was at his prime!

Dirceu with America jersey. A world class star in Mexico.

So, the league looked even stronger, despite the 1978 World Cup fiasco. Second division proceeded as usual – that is, entirely outside foreign interest. Atlas (Guadalajara) and Club Deportivo Cuautla (Cuautla) reached the final of the championship, deciding the single promotion.

CD Cuautla is practically unknown club, although they do exist to this very day. They were formed in 1952 and their earliest years were their best, for they played in the 1st division from 1955 to 1959, when they were relegated and played 2nd division football practically for ever since. They tried to return to top flight, of course – in 1971-72 Cuautla reached the 2nd division final and lost it to Atlas. Now it was their second attempt – against the same adversary. Cuautla hosted the first leg and lost it 1-2. It was over… almost. In the hostile Guadalajara they fought bravely and managed 1-1 tie. Close, but they lost for a second time the battle for promotion to Atlas.

Atlas, normally 1st division member, was relegated in the 1977-78 season and were eager to return to their rightful place. Unlike Cuautla, Atlas had been one of the stronger Mexican clubs and a constant member of top division. They came back quickly, but were not overwhelming champions – modest Cuautla gave them hard time. Yet, all finished well and Atlas won the promotion, just like in 1971-72.

Peru joined the three group winners and the semi-finals opposed the reigning South America champions to Chile. Brazil played against Paraguay. And expected to win. The other winner was not so easy to predict, but perhaps Peru was favoured – they played well at the World Cup 1978, which Chile did reach. Peru had few well known around the world players too. However, Cubillas, Sotil, and Oblitas were not in the team. In front of 50 000 fans, Chile surprisingly won in Lima. Carlos Caszely scored both goals for his team.

He silenced the home crowd in the 36th minute. Mosquera equalized in the 71st, but it was Peruvian day.

Caszely (third from left) scored a second goal in the 76th minute and was substituted 4 minutes later. Peru lost at home and the chances of repeating 1975 were next to nothing.

The losers in Lima, from left: Rubén Toribio Díaz, Guillermo La Rosa, Roberto Mosquera, Jaime Duarte, César Cueto, Freddy Ravello, Jorge Olaechea, José Velásquez, Germán Leguía, Eusebio Acasuzo, Héctor Chumpitaz. More was expected from this team, but still there was one more match. No miracle happened in Santiago, where 75 000, largely Chileans, saw a bitter battle and two players were sent off – Rojas (Peru) in 33rd minute, and Figueroa (Chile) in the 40th. No goals were scored at all and Peru was eliminated. Chile went to the final.

Meantime, Brazil visited Paraguay and lost 1-2 in Asuncion. Once again there was new attacking line: Jair, Socrates, and Eder. Zico was out again. So was Paulo Cesar Carpeggiani. Falcao was the key midfielder, supported by Chicao and Tarciso. So far, Brazil was not impressive at all and may be changes were badly needed, but there were too many changes. It was different midfield and attack almost every match. And nothing worked… Brazil was 0-2 after the first half and managed to score a goal at last in the 79th minute. Palinha, who replaced Jair, scored the only goal. The strikers performed poorly again – Eder was also replaced. Yet, nothing really terrible – the match in Asuncion was expected to be difficult, but Brazil managed to lose by a goal. Now Palinha and ZeSergio – the substitutes in Asuncion – were regulars, Paulo Cesar Carpeggiani was back, with Falcao and Tita, and Marco Antonio started as left full back. Marco Antonio, world champions from 1970, and member of the 1974 world cup team, was out of favour for some time – and suddenly he was back again. Zico was out, though… Coutinho was clearly uncertain of his team, constantly made changes, keeping only Leao and the central defenders as regulars. Too many changes… no stability, and no clear idea. The experiments did not work so far – and did not work again. Falcao opened the score in the 29th minute. Two minutes later Milciades Morel equalized. Socrates scored from a penalty in the 61st – 2-1 Brazil. The advantage lasted only 7 minutes – Romero equalized again and the tough Paraguayans kept the tie to the end: 2-2. Brazil, instead of champions, were eliminated.

Perhaps Claudio Coutinho was really to blame – his team was far from great at the 1978 World Cup. This time he experimented too much, without success – he used 37 players in 6 games. Some choices were strange, mildly said. There was no really promising line and even he introduced a whole bunch of players soon to become world-famous, they became famous under another coach – Socrates, Falcao, Eder had to wait a few more years. Zico was in and out of the team – supposedly the greatest player of his generation was hardly the leader Brazil needed. Unfortunately, Carpeggiani was not either, contrary to what was expected from him after his impressive 1974 World Cup. 1979 was yet another disappointment, as the whole decade was for Brazil.

Chile vs Paraguay. Unexpected finalist, but well deserving to be there. Paraguay had won Copa America once – in the distant 1953, Chile – never. Chilean football was going up, but it was the same with Paraguayns: Olimpia (Asuncion) won Copa Libertadores this very year and the national team depended heavily on Olimpia players. The other slight advantage was individual – Chile depended on aging stars – Figueroa and Caszely. Paraguay – on rising stars, particularly Romero, considered at that time more talented than Maradona. The final was played as the whole tournament – two legs, home and away games. Paraguay hosted the first match – and won it with confidence 3-0. Romero scored twice and Victor Milciades Morel added the third.

The new heroes scoring and enjoying themselves.

28.11.79 Asunción, Defensores del Chaco

 

PAR – CHI 3:0 (2:0)

 

(40,000) Luis Gregorio Da Rosa URU

 

PAR: Fernández – Espínola, Paredes (79 Cibils), Sosa, Torales – Torres (62 Florentín),Kiese, Romero – Isasi, M.Morel, E.Morel

CHI: Osbén – Galindo, Valenzuela, Quintano, Escobar – Rivas, Soto, Bonvallet (46 Estay) -Rojas, Caszely, Fabbiani

 

1:0 Romero 12, 2:0 M.Morel 36, 3:0 Romero 85.

A week later Chile needed a win to stay alive – the rules stipulated a third match, if the finalists won one and lost the other match. The hosts clinched 1-0 victory, thanks to early goal. Two players were sent off in the 17th minute – Eduardo Bonvallet (Chile) and Eugenio Morel (Paraguay). It was not a friendly match… Chile was not overwhelming, but the struggle had to continue.

CHI – PAR 1:0 (1:0)

 

(55,000) Ramón Barreto URU

 

CHI: Osbén – Galindo, Valenzuela, Figueroa, Escobar – Rivas, Bonvallet, Rojas (85 Neira) -Caszely, Fabbiani (56 Estay), Véliz

PAR: Fernández – Solalinde, Paredes, Sosa, Torales – Romero, Kiese (46 Florentín), Talavera (80 Cabañas) – Isasi, M.Morel, E.Morel

 

1:0 Rivas 10

 

sent off: Bonvallet (17) / E.Morel (17)

There was nothing new about a third match – during the 1970s it was common to play a third final match in South America to decide winners at last. It had to be on neutral ground – in Buenos Aires, a week after the match in Santiago. Only 6000 attended… a tiny number for continental final, but in Argentina nobody cared much for either Chile, or Paraguay. Both teams battled, unable to score. Extra time was played to no change. 0-0.

11.12.79 Buenos Aires, José Amalfitani

PAR – CHI 0:0 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0)

 

(6,000) Arnaldo César Coelho BRA

 

PAR: Fernández – Espínola, Paredes, Sosa, Torales – Florentín, Kiese, Romero – Pérez(85 Cibils), M.Morel, Aquino (61 Torres)

CHI: Osbén – Galindo, Figueroa, Valenzuela, Escobar – Rivas, Dubó (90 Estay), Rojas – Caszely, Fabbiani (61 Yáñez), Véliz

No winner… But there was – goal-difference was the next decisive factor. And it was in favour of Paraguay! One can imagine the joy.

Unable to score a goal for 210 minutes – two matches plus overtime – Paraguay were champions of the continent. Thanks to their home victory. One can pity the Chileans…

Chile was not a great team, but not bad one either and the boys gave their best, Unfortunately, they came only second. One can be sorry for Figueroa and Caszely, who were getting old empty-handed. It was almost their last chance to win a trophy with the national team. Still, second in South America was a big achievement – the first silver medals for Chile.

Paraguay were of course happy with the cup in their hands. A second South American title ranked them immediately 4th most successful country on the continent.

Modest champions from a modest country. Paraguay really depended on small group of players and used almost the same regulars from the start to the end of the championship.

These are the main heroes: standing from left: Juan Espinola, Juan B. Torales, Flaminio Sosa, Carlos Kiese, Roberto Fernandez, Roberto Paredes.

First row: Aldo Florentin, Milciades Morel, Osvaldo Aquino, Amado Perez, Julio Cesar Romero.

Little known, all playing for Paraguayan clubs, and lead by equally unknown coach – Ranulfo Miranda. Eight players from Olimpia, which already won Copa Libertadores and was going to add the Intercontinental Cup to the trophy room. It was fully Paraguayan year – winning everything and adding a world class star as well – Julio Cesar Romero. ‘Romerito’ had excellent tournament and had the edge over younger Maradona: he was champion of South America. Maradona played a little bit for early eliminated Argentina… quite a difference. New champion, new star – that was the sum of Copa America. For Paraguay – perhaps the best year in the history of her football. As a legacy… this championship was quickly forgotten. Nothing really exciting, may be more disappointment. If one is not Paraguayan, of course.