NASL. 1984 was the end. The last season. It was not surprising, the struggle to keep this unrealistic league working was going on for years. Of course, at the beginning of the year plans were made for continuation, but they unrealistic as all previous plans – on one hand, a new and more interesting for the public league came into existence – MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League), the indoor league. Interests overlapped – many players moved from one championship to the other and many clubs participated in both championships. The outdoor game, however, was already the big loser, so the plans were pretty much in terms of amalgamating both championships – but not everybody was interested. More clubs folded and NASL had only 9 teams for the 1984 championship. Jumping a bit ahead, only 2 clubs – Toronto and Minnesota – wanted to play in the 1985 NASL season, so the whole balloon just called it quits. As for the last season, its format was changed a bit in some weird hope to schedule more games – the big change was the final: no more grand one-game final, but best of three matches final, similar to the scheme used by the other major American leagues. Money were short, however. Fort Lauderdale Strikers moved to Minnesota, becoming Minnesota Strikers – the reason was not that much money, but the amalgamation with the indoor football: Fort Lauderdale had no indoor venue at hand. Whatever you want, 9 teams are too few for big and complicated championship – the play-offs were reduced to what elsewhere is known as semi-finals, only the top 2 teams of the 2 Division qualified. Perhaps even this was too extravagant at the moment.
Tampa Bay Roadies finished last – 4th – in the Eastern Division. They lost all of their away games.
New York Cosmos was 3rd. Display of old silverware did not hide the reality – Cosmos at the beginning of 1985 Cosmos withdrew from both NASL and MISL. Of course, there was big talk early in 1984 – they tried to convince Pele to put the boots again, but he was not interested.
Toronto Blizzard finished 2nd and qualified. Chicago Sting ended on top. The weird rules placed them on top with 120 points – their ‘normal’ record was not that impressive – 6 wins and 6 losses at home; 7 wins and 5 losses away.
Western Division.
Golden Bay Earthquakes was last. They were the team the least wins this year – only 8.
Tulsa Roughnecks was 4th. Just looking at their squad one sees the end – no more famous big names. The most famous was their coach Wim Suurbier, and his name was misspelled, so there.
Minnesota Strikers – 3rd and out. They shared the season’s record for most wins with 2 other teams, but that was all.
Vancouver Whitecaps ended 2nd and San Diego Sockers won the Division.
In the semi-finals – or play-offs – the drama was in one of them: Chicago Sting and Vancouver Whitecaps exchanged wins and went into the third match. Which ended 4-3 Chicago. Bobby Lenarduzzi scored the quickest goal in the whole history of NASL play-offs – in the 46th second of the game – but at the end Chicago prevailed.
In the other semi-final Toronto Blizzard won the first two games and qualified.
San Diego Sockers lost both matches by a single goal difference – desire was not enough. However, long live indoor socker – here is the team getting ready for the ‘other’ championship.
Eastern Division final – Chicago Sting vs Toronto Blizzard. The 1st vs the 2nd. The finals changed nothing, except they were another example why the league had to fold: a bit over 8000 attended the opening match in Chicago – twice as many the second game in Toronto. But the team without support was stronger… Chicago won at home 2-1 and away 3-2.
Toronto Blizzard lost – too bad for ‘Primo’ pizza. What else to say?
Chicago Sting were the new NASL champions, but one may seriously doubt how happy the winners were – the club quickly withdrew from NASL and joined MISL for 1985. The last champions were entirely unromantic – victory did not mean money, indoor socker was the better option. And good bye NASL.