1984-85 MISL Season

By Dave Litterer of The US Soccer History Archives, with supplemental materials by Steve Holroyd and Paul Reeths

The MISL continued its growth in 1984-85. With the NASL canceling its 1984-85 indoor season, the MISL welcomed four of its teams into the league. The Chicago Sting and San Diego Sockers returned after a season's absence, along with a newcomer, the Minnesota Strikers. Best of all, the New York Cosmos (or what was left of them) joined to fill the void left by the sudden collapse of the Arrows. The MISL had clearly won the battle for popularity, and in fact, only seven NASL teams survived to their February meetings. When only two teams indicated a willingness to continue, the league folded, leaving the MISL with the soccer field all to themselves. This had two immediate results. First, an end to the costly salary war, and second, a huge infusion of new talent as the league scooped up legions of stranded players late in the season. More than ever, it looked as if indoor soccer was the way of the future in the United States, as the outdoor game could only boast a seriously weakened United Soccer League, and a miniscule Pacific Coast tournament called the Western Soccer Alliance. Now in its seventh season, the 14-team MISL was on a roll. The league moved its offices from Bala Cynwyd, PA to Chicago, IL. Commissioner and Founder Earl Foreman could not have picked a better time to retire, as he bowed out on top, turning the reins over to Francis L. Dale. But there was new competition on the horizon, with the founding of the American Indoor Soccer Association. The competition wasn't over yet.

In the Eastern Division, Baltimore continued its reign atop the standings, but Pittsburgh fell to a disappointing sixth place. St. Louis, moved to the East, fell to an equally disappointing .500, after a long successful run. Memphis had been relocated to Las Vegas and finished respectably in the west, but financial troubles forced the league to fold the team after the season. Among the newcomers from the NASL, San Diego and Chicago made their impact felt immediately, as the Sockers took the Western Division on the strength of Steve Zungul and Branko Segota, who finished first and third respectively in scoring. Karl-Heinz Granitza, who finished second, led the Chicago Sting to second place in the East. Other former NASL players making an impact were Ricky Davis of the Steamer, Jan Goosens of the Minnesota Strikers and Fred Grgurev of Las Vegas. In a sad end to a storied franchise, the New York Cosmos, minus almost all of their star players, limped along at the bottom of the East standings before folding partway through the season with an 11-22 record. Only Goalkeeper Dave Brcic was a reminder of the glory days. Two players who began to make their marks this year were Striker Tatu of Dallas and Goalkeeper Victor Nogueira, both of whom would remain star leaders in indoor soccer for the remainder of the 20th century.

In the playoffs, few surprises emerged, with the only true upset being Minnesota's defeat of Las Vegas in the quarterfinals. The championship series again featured the division winners, Baltimore and San Diego. The San Diego Sockers defeated Baltimore in the best of seven series, 5-4, 7-3, 6-10, 14-2, and 5-3. This was the beginning of a long reign of success which would continue through the rest of the league's existence.