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The Death and rebirth of Outdoor Professional Soccer in the United States
In 1985, the outdoor game took a downward spiral into oblivion. Negative trends, lack of support, and red ink culminated in a serious of events which led for a brief time, to the total absence of professional outdoor soccer in the country. Many journalists proclaimed that the future of soccer in the United States lay with the indoor game.
For a time, this clearly seemed the case. The seeds of a major trend had grown in 1984, when the North American Soccer League announced that it was canceling its 1984-85 outdoor season. This led to the Major Indoor Soccer League then quickly invited NASL teams to join their league. Three teams quickly accepted the offer, while the Cosmos quit the NASL to become a touring exhibition team, and they too accepted the MISL’s offer. Meanwhile, a new indoor league, the American Indoor Soccer Association, was launched in the fall of 1984 to capitalize on the growing interest.
The NASL, staggering under heavy financial losses was rapidly disintegrating, and losing teams. The United Soccer League, despite austere financial limits, lost most of its teams after the end of their inaugural season. Only NASL seven teams attended the February 1985 organizational meetings where a desperate attempt was made to develop a plan to save the league. All for naught however. When only two teams put down a deposit to guarantee participation in the 1985 season, the league called it quits, and three teams who were in the MISL became permanent members of that league. The United Soccer League managed to survive, just barely, but only four teams remained on board.
The National team fared little better. Once again, the team for the 1986 World Cup Qualifying was slap-dash, put together at the last minute and had little training time. They were eliminated at the end of May in one of the poorest qualifying performances ever. At this time the national program ground to a complete halt; there were no immediate plans for further matches or training, and a complete reorganization seemed in order.
The final blow came just a few weeks later when the USL, staggering under heavy debt, was foreclosed by its creditors, after the end of their first half season. With the demise of the USL, the United States was without an outdoor professional league for the first time since the summer of 1933.
To an observer, it looked as though the outdoor game was dead, a surprising development given the continuing growth of youth and college soccer, which had been fueled by the interest generated by the NASL. Fortunately, the rebirth of the outdoor game began only a couple weeks after the demise of the USL. Three glimmers of hope came to light this year.
Four independent teams from the West Coast organized the Western Soccer Alliance Challenge Series. This would in turn become a full-fledged league in 1986, albeit at a very low level. But it would grow, merge and merge again to become a major part of the professional soccer pyramid in the 21st century, as the new United Soccer league’s 2nd division component, the A-League.
The 1984 Olympics had impressed FIFA Officials with its high attendance figures. This was not lost on new USSF President Werner Fricker, who set the task of making a serious bid to host the World Cup in 1994. A major reorganization of the National Team was begun to give the bid more credibility. Finally, sensing the direction of the future, the USSF established the first Women’s National Team. From these small beginnings, outdoor soccer would be reborn and reach new heights never before attained in this country. Finally, the USSF formally reorganized itself into youth, amateur and professional divisions. In response to this reorganization, the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA) was formed, and all of the various state soccer associations became members. Being the only organization in the country to meet USSF standards for membership (200,000+ members and representation in 26 states), the USASA became the one and only member of USSF in the Amateur division.
Major Indoor Soccer League
The MISL continued its growth in 1984-85. With the NASL canceling its 1984-85 indoor season, the MISL welcomed four of their teams into the league. Dallas was awarded an expandion franchise, and from the NASL, the Chicago Sting and San Diego Sockers returned after a season’s absence, along with 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 New York 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 field to themselves.
This had two immediate results: First, an end to the costly salary war, and secondly, 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 couldn’t pick 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 their reign atop the standings, but Pittsburgh fell to a disappointing 6th place. St. Louis, moved to the East, fell to a 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 3rd 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 mark 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, there were few surprises, 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.
1984-85 MISL Final League Standings
Before the season, Dallas was added; San Diego, Chicago, New York, and Minnesota
rejoined the league from the NASL. Memphis moved to Las Vegas.
G W L GF GA % GB
Eastern Division
Baltimore Blast 48 32 16 252 190 .681 --
Chicago Sting 48 28 20 261 223 .583 4
Cleveland Force 48 27 21 239 228 .553 5
Minnesota Strikers 48 24 24 224 226 .500 8
St. Louis Steamers 48 24 24 211 207 .500 8
Pittsburgh Spirit 48 19 29 217 256 .396 13
New York Cosmos 48 11 22 137 185 .333 13.5
Western Division
San Diego Sockers 48 37 11 302 201 .771 --
Las Vegas Americans 48 30 18 269 214 .625 7
Los Angeles Lazers 48 24 24 232 230 .500 13
Kansas City Comets 48 22 26 216 221 .458 15
Wichita Wings 48 21 26 202 233 .437 15.5
Tacoma Stars 48 17 31 207 263 .354 20
Dallas Sidekicks 48 12 36 194 286 .250 25
Wild-Cards: Kansas City Defeated St. Louis, 5-4(OT), 4-3(OT).
Minnesota defeated Wichita (2-1, 3-8, 3-2(OT).
Quarterfinals: Cleveland defeated Chicago 5-4(OT), 4-8, 6-1, 5-4(OT).
San Diego defeated Kansas City, 4-3(OT), 11-7, 3-2.
Baltimore defeated Los Angeles, 4-3, 12-3, 5-4.
Minnesota defeated Las Vegas, 6-5, 4-6, 3-2, 4-1.
Semifinals: San Diego def. Minnesota, 8-1, 6-5(OT), 5-8, 3-4(SO),8-0
Baltimore defeated Cleveland, 6-5, 3-5, 4-3, 7-6, 7-4.
CHAMPIONSHIP: San Diego defeated Baltimore, 5-4, 7-3, 6-10, 14-2, 5-3.
Cosmos withdrew after 33 games (Folded after playing several exhibition games).
After the season, Las Vegas folded.
All-Star Game: Western Division defeated Eastern Division 11-7.
(at Richfield Township, OH, February 24, 1985. Att: 17,863. MVP: Stan Semenkovic)
Leading Scorers GP G A TP
Steve Zungul, San Diego 48 68 68 136
Karl-Heinz Granitza, Chicago 47 64 53 117
Branko Segota, San Diego 46 66 40 106
Stan Stamenkovic, Baltimore 43 39 52 91
Tatu, Dallas 43 59 29 88
Dale Mitchell, Tacoma 48 55 32 87
Jean Willrich, San Diego 48 43 43 86
Fred Grgurev, Las Vegas 47 48 29 77
Craig Allen, Cleveland 42 45 30 75
Jan Goossens, Minnesota 48 49 24 73
Juli Veee, Las Vegas 39 50 21 71
Stan Terlecki, Pittsburgh 39 39 32 71
Erik Rasmussen, Wichita 46 55 11 66
Phil Kitson, Baltimore 43 39 27 66
Keith Furphy, Cleveland 48 40 22 62
Thompson Usiyan, Minnesota 47 36 26 62
Mike Stankovic, Baltimore 42 33 26 59
Rick Davis, St. Louis 40 27 31 56
Gerry Gray, Chicago 24 19 40 58
Stuart Lee, Los Angeles 48 42 15 57
LEADING GOALKEEPERS (Min. 1400 minutes to qualify)
GP Min. Sho Svs GA W-L GAA
Scott Manning, Baltimore 36 2080 872 411 135 23-11 3.89
Slobo Iljevski, St. Louis 30 1681 744 396 112 11-12 4.00
Jim Gorsek, San Diego 30 1665 803 381 112 19-8 4.04
Manny Schwartz, Kansas City 40 2192 1105 546 152 19-15 4.16
Alan Mayer, Las Vegas 30 1759 801 370 124 17-12 4.23
Victor Nogueira, Chicago 43 2240 994 501 162 23-15 4.34
Tino Lettieri, Minnesota 45 2672 1193 614 198 24-21 4.45
Cris Vaccaro, Cleveland 27 1453 774 346 108 16-8 4.46
Mike Dowler, Wichita 41 2394 992 490 179 20-20 4.49
John Baretta, Tacoma 31 1637 809 402 127 11-13 4.65
Peter Mowlik, Pittsburgh 27 1452 718 371 114 11-13 4.71
Mike Mahoney, Los Angeles 40 2219 1021 554 176 20-18 4.76
David Brcic, NY/Wichita 27 1601 856 476 133 9-17 4.98
Jan Van Beveren, Dallas 30 1727 835 385 176 6-22 6.11
Most Valuable Player: Steve Zungul, San Diego Sockers
Coach of the Year: Peter Wall, Los Angeles Lazers
MISL Scoring Champion: Steve Zungul, San Diego Sockers
MISL Pass Master (most Assists): Steve Zungul, San Diego Sockers
Defender of the Year: Kevin Crow, San Diego Sockers
Goalkeeper of the Year: Scott Manning, Baltimore Blast
Rookie of the Year: Ali Kazemaini, Cleveland Force
Championship Series Player of the Year: Steve Zungul, San Diego Sockers
All-MISL team:
G - Scott Manning, Baltimore
D - Mike Stankovic, Baltimore
D - Branko Segota, San Diego
M - Kevin Crow, San Diego
F - Steve Zungul, San Diego
F - Karl-Heinz Granitza, Chicago
American Indoor Soccer Association
Just as the NASL was in its death throes, another league began play. Sensing the success and growth of indoor soccer, a group of investors launched a new league, the American Indoor Soccer Association. Originally named the American Professional Indoor Soccer League (APISL), the AISA focused its attention on fielding primarily American players, unlike the MISL which included a large number of foreign stars on its rosters. The league was actually founded in March 1984 and began its first season in November, in six cities in the Midwest, with a 40 game schedule. Players were mostly unknowns, with an exception being former college standout Jim Gabarra, who began play with the Louisville Thunder. In effect, the league acted for a time as a second division circuit, and it was not until the late 80’s that they began to seriously compete with the MISL for indoor dominance.
The league season was won by the Canton Invaders, who were not a scoring powerhouse, but fielded the best defensive unit and top goalkeeper Mike Barbarick. The Columbus Capitals were the scoring dynamos, landing 303 balls in the net, 59 of them from league leading scorer Lesh Shkreli. Louisville took the third spot while Kalamazoo, Milwaukee and Chicago battled until the end of the season for the final playoff spot, won by Kalamazoo. Louisville upset Columbus in the playoffs, while Canton cruised to the finals where they defeated Louisville 9-6, 8-7, 4-11 and 3-1 to win the first league championship.
1984-85 AISA Final league Standings
G W L # GB GF GA
Canton Invaders 40 31 9 .775 -- 263 187
Columbus Capitals 40 26 14 .650 5 305 261
Louisville Thunder 40 21 19 .525 10 225 202
Kalamazoo Kangaroos 40 15 25 .375 16 208 243
Chicago Vultures 40 14 26 .350 17 194 267
Milwaukee Wave 40 13 27 .325 17 213 248
Semifinals: Canton defeated Kalamazoo 6-5(OT), 7-3, 4-6, 6-5(OT)
Louisville defeated Columbus 11-10, 14-12, 9-2
FINALS: Canton defeated Louisville 9-6, 8-7, 4-11, 3-1
Leading Scorers GP G A TP
Lesh Shkreli, Columbus 40 59 44 103
Neil Ridgeway, Kalamazoo 40 48 28 76
Kia Zolgharnain, Canton 40 49 25 74
Salvador Valencia, Chicago 37 44 26 70
Peter Knezic, Milwaukee 40 24 46 70
Jim Gabarra, Louisville 33 44 23 67
Mike Fall, Louisville 38 29 37 66
Art Kramer, Canton 38 39 24 63
Tim Sedlacek, Milwaukee 39 41 21 62
Tony Johnson, Columbus 38 35 25 60
LEADING GOALKEEPERS (Min. 660 minutes to qualify)
GP Min. Sho Svs GA W-L GAA
Mike Barbarick, Canton 28 1588 1359 491 114 20-7 4.27
Rick Schweizer, Louisville 37 2155 1902 806 177 19-18 4.93
Bill Naumovski, Canton 15 810 710 279 73 11-2 5.40
Bernie Watt, Kalamazoo 20 1186 985 427 109 7-12 5.51
Sepp Gantenhammer, Columbus 12 664 595 193 65 10-0 5.87
Most Valuable Player: Lesh Shkeli, Columbus Capitals
Coach of the Year: Klaas deBoer, Canton Invaders
Defender of the Year: Oscar Pisano, Canton Invaders
Goalkeeper of the Year: Rick Schweizer, Louisville Thunder
All-AISA team:
G - Rick Schweizer, Louisville Thunder
D - oscar Pisano, Canton Invaders
D - Tom Alioto, Milwaukee Wave
M - Pete Knezic, Milwaukee Wave
F - Lesh Shkreli, Columbus Capitals
F - Kia Zolgharnain, Canton Invaders
United Soccer League (Div. 2)
The USL just barely survived to see its second season. Although attendance was respectable, close to that of the ASL in its last season, the team owners did not have the deep pockets of the NASL, and the revenues were simply not enough to keep the league going. Four teams managed to survive long enough to begin the first half of the season, a rather shirt six game set. The league averaged 2,534 in attendance in this season. The league planned hold a 12-game second half, before playing a championship series, but right after the end of the first half, creditors, citing major unpaid debts foreclosed on the league. Without warning, the administration was locked out of their offices, and the league came to a sudden end. By this time, outdoor soccer had almost vanished from the country outside of the amateur leagues.
Final USL League Standings, 1985
Before the season, Tulsa and El Paso/Juarez were added. Ft. Lauderdale
changed their name to South Florida.
G W T L GF GA %
South Florida Sun 6 4 0 2 9 8 .667
Dallas Americans 6 3 0 3 12 9 .500
Tulsa Tornados 6 3 0 3 7 7 .500
El Paso/Juarez Gamecocks 6 2 0 4 10 15 .333
CHAMPION: South Florida (No playoffs)
The league had been scheduled to play a 12 game second half of the seson,
but folded abruptly before that session could start.
Leading Scorers GP G A TP
Josue Portillo, El Paso/Juarez 6 8 0 8
Mark Schwartz, South Florida 5 3 1 4
Hassan Nazari, Dallas 5 3 1 4
Boris Bandov, South Florida 6 0 4 4
Nene Cubillas, South Florida 2 1 2 3
Zequinha, Tulsa 4 1 2 3
Joe Rausch, Dallas 5 1 2 3
Miguel Carcamo, El Paso/Juarez 5 0 3 3
Tom Fazekas, Dallas 5 3 0 3
Arnaldo Correa, El Paso/Juarez 6 2 1 3
Tony Crescitelli, South Florida 6 2 1 3
Leading Goalkeepers: (Min. 400 minutes)
GP Min SH SV SO GA GAA
Delroy Allen, Tulsa 5 434 60 17 0 6 1.24
Jim Tietjens, So. Florida 6 540 75 21 1 8 1.33
Randy Phillips, Dallas 5 470 62 16 1 9 1.72
Willie Villalobos, El Paso 5 470 73 17 1 13 2.49
Western Soccer Alliance (Div. 3)
On July 3 of 1985, a short time after the demise of the USL, outdoor professional soccer was born again as four independent West Coast teams created the Western Alliance Challenge Series. These included the San Jose Earthquakes, The Riptide from Victoria, British Columbia, and F. C. Portland & F. C. Seattle, two amateur teams. The series was established an a way to provide the regional soccer fans some meaningful competition, after the demise of the NASL and USL, and the cancellation of overseas tours by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion. Those tours had been cancelled in the wake of FIFA’s ban on international competition by English clubs. They played home and away against each other, and also played games against the Edmonton Brickmen and Canadian National Team. Although not part of the Challenge standings, the clubs also played matches against some top touring teams including Santos of Brazil and Sporting Lisbon of Portugal. San Jose won the series. Although Victoria quit the alliance, the event was well received by the fans and the remaining teams voted to establish a full-fledged league and expand for 1986. The opening game had attracted 2,906 fans to Portland’s Civic Stadium. From these humble beginnings, was eventually born the A-League which stood in the 21st century as the national 2nd division league for the US, and FIFA-recognized first division league for Canada.
Final WSA League Standings, 1985 San Jose Earthquakes 7 4 1 2 10 9 13 Victoria Riptide 7 3 1 3 16 11 10 F. C. Seattle 7 3 1 3 13 13 10 F. C. Portland 7 1 2 4 8 16 5 LEAGUE CHAMPION: San Jose There were games played against Edmonton Brickmen and a game against the Canadian National team. The combined record of these games was 2-1-1 in favor of the non-league teams. Also included is a game against the Canadian National Team. After the season, Victoria withdrew from the league.
The US Men’s National Team
The Men’s national team began 1985 with a major challenge: With the folding of the NASL, the US players were left without a place to maintain the outdoor playing experience they needed to remain competitive. The team had made it through the first round of qualifying, but just barely. Even their victories game against one of the smallest teams in CONCACAF, and that while playing with a two-man advantage.
The team prepared for the next round with friendlies against Switzerland in February, and a home and away series against Canada in April. The results were underwhelming. Although they managed a draw against Switzerland, it was not against their strongest team, a common occurrence with friendly matches. With the loss of the NASL, the active roster of players resided on Major Indoor Soccer League teams, with some college players, some with amateur clubs and a few who were temporarily without a team. This lead to a lack of cohesion, and the MISL players had been playing for several months in a very different kind of game that they would face in Qualifying.
The impact of this was immediately apparent: Against Canada, they were shut out 2-0 in Vancouver and managed a draw two days later in Portland off a goal by Hugo Perez. In May, the qualification round pitted the US in two-leg series against Trinidad & Tobago and Costa Rica. The US actually did fairly well against Trinidad, defeating them 2-1 and 1-0, with goals coming from Paul Caligiuri, Chico Borja and Mark Peterson. The US had the home field advantage for both games because of an arrangement with the Trinidad federation. The next game was the Americans’ best in the series, a hard-fought 1-1 draw in front of a hostile Costa Rican crowd.
The US needed to win the final game to advance, and things looked good as that game would be back in the States. But in a major mistake, it was played at Torrance, California in front of a strongly Costa Rican crowd. The US simply couldn’t find their mark, and with their scoring effectively shut down, they lost 1-0 on May 31, and were eliminated exactly one year to the start of the World Cup. The 1986 World Cup, held in Mexico, was won by Argentina who defeated Germany 3-2 in the final.
After this heartbreaking and unexpected elimination, the US was ill prepared for a friendly against England on June 16. Despite a relatively friendly Los Angeles crowd, they were shut out 5-0.
In the 1985 U-17 World Championship, the inaugural tournament, the United States U-17 team qualified for the first U-17 World Championships, and as of 2000, has qualified for every tournament. However, in 1985, they did not make it out of pool play to the eight-team quarterfinals.
USA Men's National Team results (+ = not full internationals)
1985 Totals: 2W, 3D, 3L
=======================================================================
Jun 16 85 L 0-5 England Los Angeles, CA, USA
May 31 85 L 0-1 Costa Rica Torrance, CA, USA (WCQ'86)
May 26 85 D 1-1 Costa Rica Alajuela, Costa Rica (WCQ'86)
Kerr
May 19 85 W 1-0 Trinidad Torrance, CA, USA (WCQ'86)
Caligiuri
May 15 85 W 2-1 Trinidad St. Louis, MO, USA (WCQ'86)
Borja, Peterson
Apr 04 85 D 1-1 Canada Portland, OR, USA
Perez
Apr 02 85 L 0-2 Canada Vancouver, Canada
Feb 08 85 D 1-1 Switzerland Tampa, FL, USA
Van Der Beck
The US Women’s National Team
Although it was hardly noticed by the press, or even much of the soccer world, a momentous event took place on August 18, 1985, as the US Women’s National team played its first ever game. With the growth of women’s soccer in the colleges it was natural that a national team would eventually be formed. Interestingly, the US was actually a little behind a number of other countries in establishing the team, but made up for this with the incredibly quick rise to world dominance.
The team was coached by Mike Ryan, and featured such names as Enos, Boyer, Orrison, Bender and Wyant. Not exactly household names today, and the first game was hardly anything to write home about either, a 0-1 loss to host Italy in the town of Jesolo. Over the next week, three more games were played in the region, a 2-2 draw with Denmark, a 1-3 loss to England and a 1-0 loss to Denmark. Thus, was finished their first year. The players went their separate ways, with the team not to group until well into 1986, under a new coach, the legendary Anson Dorrance of the University of North Carolina. An interesting footnote was the second game. The US lead the scoring, and the first goal ever scored for the Americans was scored by a young collegian from the University of Central Florida, Michelle Akers-Stahl, who would be widely considered the greatest women’s player in history when she retired in early 2000.
USA Women's National Team Results
=============================================================================
1985 results: 0W, 1D, 3L
Aug 24 85 L 0-1 Denmark Jesolo, Italy
Aug 23 85 L 1-3 England Caorle, Italy
Akers
Aug 21 85 D 2-2 Denmark Jesolo, Italy
Akers, Pickering
Aug 18 85 L 0-1 Italy Jesolo, Italy
The College Game
In the NCAA Division 1 tournament, third round action saw Hartwick defeat Boston University 1-0. American defeated South Carolina 2-0, Evansville defeated Penn State 1-0, and UCLA defeated Southern Methodist 2-0. In the semifinals, American defeated Hartwick 1-0 and UCLA defeated Evansville 3-1. The championship match was held in Seattle, Washington on December 14, where UCLA defeated American 1-0 in EIGHT overtimes to win the national championship.
In the NCAA Division 2 tournament, second round action saw New York Tech defeat Southern Connecticut State 3-1. Florida International defeated Missouri-St. Louis 1-0, Davis & Elkins defeated Gannon 2-1, and Seattle Pacific defeated Cal State-Northridge 3-2. In the semifinals, Florida International defeated New York Tech 4-1, and Seattle Pacific defeated Davis & Elkins 2-1. The championship was held in Miami, FL, on December 7, where Seattle Pacific defeated Florida International 3-2.
In the NCAA Division 3 tournament, third round action saw UNC-Greensboro defeat Salem State 3-0. Fredonia State defeated Union 2-1, Washington (Mo.) defeated Univ. of Cal. San Diego 1-0 on penalty kicks, and Rowan defeated Elizabethtown 4-3. In the semifinals, UNC-Greensboro defeated Fredonia State 2-0 and Washington (Mo.) defeated Rowan 2-1. The championship was held in St. Louis, MO on December 8 where UNC-Greensboro defeated Washington (Mo) 2-1 for the national championship.
In the NCAA Women’s tournament, second round action saw Massachusetts defeat Boston College 3-0. George Mason defeated Cortland State 1-0, North Carolina defeated North Carolina State 4-2, and Colorado College defeated Univ. Cal. at Santa Barbara 3-0. In the semifinals, George Mason defeated Massachusetts 3-0, and North Carolina defeated Colorado College 3-2. The championship was held in Fairfax, VA on November 24, where George Mason defeated North Carolina 2-0 to take the national title.
NAIA Championship: (Men) West Virginia Weslayen defeated Fresno Pacific 4-3 (4 overtimes).
NAIA Championship: (Women) Westmount defeated Puget Sound, 4-2.
NJCAA Men’s Championship: Florissant Valley Community College 2, Mercer County Comm. Coll. 0
NJCAA Women’s Championship: Monroe Community College 1, Nassau Comm. Coll. 0
NCCAA Division 1 Championship: The King’s College
NCCAA Division 2 Championship: Philadelphia College of Bible 3, Moody Bible Institute 0
Coaches' Final Division 1 Poll - Men: 1. Evansville 2. UCLA 3. Hartwick 4. Clemson 5. American 6. South Carolina 7. Virginia 8. UNLV 9. Connecticut 10. Southern Methodist Coaches' Final Division 1 Poll - Women: 1. George Mason 2. North Carolina 3. Massachusetts 4. Colorado College 5. Cortland State 6. Wisconsin 7. Boston College 8. UC Santa Barbara 9. William & Mary 10. Brown College All-Americans - Men: G - Tim Borer, old Dominion D - Paul Caligiuri, UCLA D - Shaun Pendleton, Akron D - Michael Reynolds, George Mason M - John Kerr, Duke M - Mark Metrick, Hartwick M - Bruce Murray, Clemson F - Michael Brady, American F - Eric Eichmann, Clemson F - Thomas Kain, Duke F - Sam Sumo, George Mason College All-Americans - Women: G - Janine Szpara, Colorado College D - Debbie Belkin, Massachusetts D - Sharon Hoag, Colorado College D - Cathy Klein, Cortland State D - Megan McCarthy, William & Mary D - Colleen O'Day, Brown F - Pam Baughman, George Mason F - Lori Bessmer, Cortland State F - Kristin Bowsher, Massachusetts F - Lisa Gmitter, George Mason F - April Heinrichs, North Carolina
Hermann Trophy: Thomas Kain, Duke
NSCAA Division 1 Coach of the Year: Peter Mehlert, American
ISAA Player of the Year: Michael Brady, American
ISAA Goalkeeper of the Year: Warren Lipka, South Carolina
Other Action
1985 US Open Cup Final: On June 30, San Francisco Greek-American A. C. defeated St. Louis Kutis 2-1.
1985 National Amateur Cup Final: On June 30, Washington DC Club Espana defeated Washington FC Mitre Eagles 2-1.
James P. McGuire (U-19 Men) Cup: Columbia (MD) Jays
Athena (U-19 Women) Cup: Sting, Dallas
CONCACAF Nations Cup: This was actually the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament. The USA finished 2-1-1 in pool play, good for second place. Unfortunately, this was not enough to qualify. Canada took to spot and went to the Cup (See National Team section above.)
World U-20 Championship: The US failed to qualify. Brazil defeated Spain 1-0 for the title.
World U-16 championship: The US lost to Guinea 1-0, beat Bolivia 2-1 and lost to China 3-1, failing to advance from pool play Nigaria defeated Germany 2-0 in the final.
CONCACAF Champions Cup: Chicago Croatian participated but did not advance. Olimpia (Honduras) defeated Defence Force (Trinidad & Tobago) 2-1 for the title.
CONCACAF U-17 Championship: The United States did not advance out of pool play. Mexico won the title, Costa Rica was second.
National Soccer Hall of Fame: In 1985, Gene Edwards and Don Greer were inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Mario Donnangelo was inducted into the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association Hall of Fame.
USSF Male Player of the Year: Perry Van Der Beck
USSF Female Player of the Year: Sharon Remer