San Diego Sockers (1978–1996)
The San Diego Sockers were a soccer and indoor soccer team based in San Diego, California. The team played in the indoor and outdoor editions of the North American Soccer League (NASL) until 1984 as well as the original Major Indoor Soccer League and CISL. The franchise folded in 1996 and was the last surviving NASL franchise.
Jersey worn by Polish star Kazimierz Deyna during his run on team
North American Soccer League (1968–1984)
The North American Soccer League (NASL) was the top-level major professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to
1984. It is considered the first soccer league to be successful on a national scale in the United States. The league final was called the Soccer Bowl from 1975 to 1983 and the Soccer Bowl Series in its final year, 1984. The league was headed by Commissioner Phil Woosnam from 1969 to 1983. The NASL laid the foundations for soccer in the United States that helped lead to the country hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the set-up of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1996.
In 1975, Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California, hosted the first Soccer Bowl when its capacity was 18,155
Pelé played for the New York Cosmos from 1975 to 1977
George Best (right) of the Los Angeles Aztecs challenges for the ball against New York Cosmos, 1976
The Los Angeles Aztecs signed Dutch superstar Johan Cruyff in 1979
