National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001)
The National Professional Soccer League was a professional indoor soccer league in the USA. It started out as the American Indoor Soccer Association in 1984 but changed its name to the National Professional Soccer League in 1990.[1] During the summer of 2001, the league disbanded and the six surviving teams formed the second version of the Major Indoor Soccer League.[2]
When the league began in 1984, game rules were almost identical compared to the larger and more popular MISL. Beginning with the 1988-89 season,[3] however, the AISA changed their scoring system. Goals were now worth 1, 2, or 3 points depending upon distance or game situation. Basically, all non-power play goals scored from inside the yellow line were worth 2 points while non-powerplay goals from outside the yellow line (50 feet from the goal line) were worth 3 points. Any power play goal was worth 1 point, as was any goal scored during a penalty shootout. Before the 1994–1995 season, the three-point line was changed to a 45-foot arc. Eventually, power play goals were worth either two or three points, but penalty shootouts were still kept at one point.
Teams
Championships
SEASON |
CHAMPION |
RUNNER-UP |
SERIES |
1984–85 |
Canton Invaders |
Louisville Thunder |
3–1 |
1985–86 |
Canton Invaders |
Louisville Thunder |
3–0 |
1986–87 |
Louisville Thunder |
Canton Invaders |
3–2 |
1987–88 |
Canton Invaders |
Ft. Wayne Flames |
(Challenge Cup) |
1988–89 |
Canton Invaders |
Chicago Power |
3–2 |
1989–90 |
Canton Invaders |
Dayton Dynamo |
3–1 |
1990–91 |
Chicago Power |
Dayton Dynamo |
3–0 |
1991–92 |
Detroit Rockers |
Canton Invaders |
3–2 |
1992–93 |
Kansas City Attack |
Cleveland Crunch |
3–2 |
1993–94 |
Cleveland Crunch |
St. Louis Ambush |
3–1 |
1994–95 |
St. Louis Ambush |
Harrisburg Heat |
4–0 |
1995–96 |
Cleveland Crunch |
Kansas City Attack |
4–2 |
1996–97 |
Kansas City Attack |
Cleveland Crunch |
4–0 |
1997–98 |
Milwaukee Wave |
St. Louis Ambush |
4–1 |
1998–99 |
Cleveland Crunch |
St. Louis Ambush |
3–2 |
1999-2000 |
Milwaukee Wave |
Cleveland Crunch |
3–2 |
2000–01 |
Milwaukee Wave |
Philadelphia KiXX |
3–0 |
Championships won
TEAM |
TITLES |
SEASONS |
Canton Invaders ( -> Columbus Invaders -> Montreal Impact) |
5 |
84–85, 85–86, 87–88, 88–89, 89–90 |
Cleveland Crunch |
3 |
93–94, 95–96, 98–99 |
Milwaukee Wave |
3 |
97–98, 99–00, 00–01 |
(Atlanta Attack -> ) Kansas City Attack |
2 |
92–93, 96–97 |
Chicago Power |
1 |
90–91 |
Detroit Rockers |
1 |
91–92 |
(Tulsa Ambush -> ) St. Louis Ambush |
1 |
94–95 |
Commissioners
- Bob Lemuix 1984-1985
- Joe Machnik 1985-1988
- Steve M. Paxos 1988–2000
- Steve Ryan 2000–2001
References
External links