National Professional Soccer League
Encyclopedia
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. During the summer of 2001, the league disbanded and the six surviving teams formed the Major Indoor Soccer League
, which would later absorb three teams from the World Indoor Soccer League
.
Beginning in 1989, the NPSL had a unique scoring system, almost identical to basketball, where goals were 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 powerplay 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.
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
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. During the summer of 2001, the league disbanded and the six surviving teams formed the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
, which would later absorb three teams from the World Indoor Soccer League
World Indoor Soccer League
The World Indoor Soccer League was a United States based indoor soccer league that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.-History:...
.
Beginning in 1989, the NPSL had a unique scoring system, almost identical to basketball, where goals were 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 powerplay 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
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Hershey Impact The Hershey Impact was an indoor soccer club based in Hershey, Pennsylvania that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.The team played its home games at the Hersheypark Arena for all of its 3 seasons.-Staff & Ownership:... (1988/89-90/91) Jacksonville Generals The Jacksonville Generals were an indoor soccer club based in Jacksonville, Florida that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association. The team only played in the postseason Challenge Cup following the 1987/88 season.... (1988) Kalamazoo Kangaroos The Kalamazoo Kangaroos were an indoor soccer club based in Kalamazoo, Michigan that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association.The team was started in 1984 as one of the original members of the AISA. They played their games at Wings Stadium which seated 5,000 people and were coached in... (1984/85-85/86) Kansas City Comets The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded... (1989/90-00/01, as Atlanta Attack in 1989/90-90/91) Louisville Thunder Louisville Thunder was an indoor soccer club based in Louisville, Kentucky that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association. In their debut season of 1984-1985, goalkeeper Rick Schweizer won the 'Goalkeeper of the Year' award, and made it on to the All-Star team.-Players: Paul DiBernardo ... (1984/85-86/87) Memphis Storm The Memphis Storm was an American soccer team based in Memphis, Tennessee which existed from 1986 to 1994 under several names in both the American Indoor Soccer Association and the USISL.-American Indoor Soccer Association:... (1986/87-89/90, as Memphis Storm Memphis Storm The Memphis Storm was an American soccer team based in Memphis, Tennessee which existed from 1986 to 1994 under several names in both the American Indoor Soccer Association and the USISL.-American Indoor Soccer Association:... in 1986/87-88/89) Milwaukee Wave The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League.... (1984/85-00/01) Montreal Impact Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe... (1997/98-99/00) New York Kick The New York Kick was a professional indoor soccer team based in Albany, New York playing at the Knickerbocker Arena and competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association.... (1990/91, as Indiana Kick in 1989/90) Philadelphia KiXX The Philadelphia KiXX were a professional indoor soccer team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1995 as an NPSL expansion franchise, they played in the Major Indoor Soccer League.The team colors were red, black, white, and blue... (1996/97-00/01) St. Louis Ambush The St. Louis Ambush was a professional indoor soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri. Originally located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the team played one season at the Tulsas Pavilion Expo Square. Vernon Riggs was the General Manager. Keith Dial was the Managing General Partner. Former Tulsa Roughneck... (1991/92-99/00, as Tulsa Ambush in 1991/92) Tampa Bay Terror The Tampa Bay Terror were an indoor soccer team based in Tampa Bay, Florida that competed in the defunct National Professional Soccer League . The team existed for two seasons before folding: 1995-1996 and 1996-1997. The team's home games were held at the Bayfront Center. The two season that the... (1995/96-96/97) Toledo Pride The Toledo Pride were an American indoor soccer team. They played only one season in the American Indoor Soccer Association.-Ownership: Edward Cochran Robert Ransom John Glase Frank DeJulius Joshua Gotlieb... (1986/87) Toronto Shooting Stars Toronto Shooting Stars were an indoor soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario that competed in the defunct NPSL. The team began play in the 1996-1997 season, with home games taking place at Maple Leaf Gardens. However, the ownership of the franchise collapsed just 3 games into its first season,... (1996/97) Toronto ThunderHawks Toronto ThunderHawks were an indoor soccer team based in Mississauga, Ontario that competed in the defunct NPSL. The team began play in the 2000-2001 season, with home games at the Hershey Centre. The team was owned by businessman Neil Jamieson and National Hockey League Hockey Hall of Fame... (2000/01) Wichita Wings This article is about the original team. For the current team, see Wichita Wings .The Wichita Wings were a professional indoor soccer franchise based in Wichita, Kansas. The Wings were admitted to the Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team on August 21, 1979... (1992/93-00/01) |
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 |
| 1999-00 | 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 ( -> Edmonton Drillers) | 1 | 90–91 |
| Detroit Rockers | 1 | 91–92 |
| (Tulsa Ambush -> ) St. Louis Ambush | 1 | 94–95 |