National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001)
_(logo).png) | |
| Founded | 1984 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2001 |
| Country |  United States  Canada |
| Number of teams | 15 |
| Last champions | Milwaukee Wave (2000–01) |
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 |
| Louisville Thunder | 1 | 86-87 |
| 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
- ^ "Canton wins final AISA crown". Milwaukee Sentinel. April 27, 1990. p. 5B. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
- ^ "SOCCER: ROUNDUP; Rivaldo Gets Hat Trick; Barcelona Earns Victory". New York Times. August 9, 2001. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
- ^ Bunch, Ken (July 11, 1988). "AISA adds franchises, MISL groups may apply". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. B1. Retrieved 2012-05-04.