1997 A-League
Encyclopedia
The 1997 USISL A-League season.
season, the U.S. second division A-League collapsed. Five of the six teams in the A-League then joined the USISL which had three leagues in 1996, beginning with the third division USISL Select League. With the collapse of the U.S. second division and the transfer of most of its teams to the USISL, the USISL reorganized its divisions to include the new teams. It moved most of the old second division USISL Select League, plus a few new teams, up to a second division level and merged the old A-League teams into this new U.S. second division which was renamed the USISL A-League.
, Milwaukee Rampage
Overview
At the end of the 1996 A-League1996 A-League
-Regular season:* Win = 3 points* Shootout win = 1 point* Loss = 0 points-Semifinal 1:-Semifinal 2:-Final:-Points leaders:-Honors:* MVP: Wolde Harris* Leading goal scorer: Doug Miller...
season, the U.S. second division A-League collapsed. Five of the six teams in the A-League then joined the USISL which had three leagues in 1996, beginning with the third division USISL Select League. With the collapse of the U.S. second division and the transfer of most of its teams to the USISL, the USISL reorganized its divisions to include the new teams. It moved most of the old second division USISL Select League, plus a few new teams, up to a second division level and merged the old A-League teams into this new U.S. second division which was renamed the USISL A-League.
Northeast Division
| Place | Team | GP | W | SW | SL | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montreal Impact 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... |
28 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 58 | 19 | +39 | 61 |
| 2 | Rochester Raging Rhinos Rochester Raging Rhinos The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League... |
28 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 56 | 47 | +9 | 42 |
| 3 | Long Island Rough Riders Long Island Rough Riders Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its... |
28 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 44 | 36 | +8 | 42 |
| 4 | Toronto Lynx Toronto Lynx Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.... |
28 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 44 | 43 | +1 | 38 |
| 5 | Connecticut Wolves Connecticut Wolves The Connecticut Wolves were a soccer club that competed in the United Soccer Leagues from 1993 to 2002. Based in New Britain, Connecticut, and playing in Veteran's Stadium, the club started in the D-3 Pro League before moving to the A-League in 1997.-History:... |
28 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 31 | 45 | -14 | 28 |
| 6 | Worcester Wildfire | 28 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 26 | 61 | -35 | 19 |
Atlantic Division
| Place | Team | GP | W | SW | SL | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hershey Wildcats Hershey Wildcats Hershey Wildcats were a professional soccer team, based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA, that played in the USL A-League between 1997 and 2001. The team was owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company... |
28 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 56 | 33 | +23 | 55 |
| 2 | Carolina Dynamo Carolina Dynamo Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home... |
28 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 63 | 33 | +30 | 50 |
| 3 | Richmond Kickers Richmond Kickers The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid... |
28 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 41 | 35 | +6 | 45 |
| 4 | Charleston Battery Charleston Battery Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
28 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 39 | 50 | -11 | 32 |
| 5 | Raleigh Flyers | 28 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 34 | 52 | -18 | 28 |
| 6 | Jacksonville Cyclones Jacksonville Cyclones The Jacksonville Cyclones are a now-defunct USL A-League soccer team, based in Jacksonville, Florida, that formed in 1995. The team folded in 1999 shortly after the death of their manager Dennis Viollet, the former Manchester United and England striker.... |
28 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 28 | 73 | -45 | 13 |
Central Division
| Place | Team | GP | W | SW | SL | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers | 28 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 45 | 42 | +3 | 42 |
| 2 | Nashville Metros Nashville Metros Nashville Metros is an American soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference... |
28 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 42 | 34 | +8 | 37 |
| 3 | Orlando Sundogs Orlando Sundogs The Orlando Sundogs were an American soccer club that played in the A-League in 1997. The team nearly folded before the end of the season, but were purchased by the Atlanta Ruckus. During the off season, the team tried to find a suitable venue for an A-League team outside the Florida Citrus Bowl,... |
28 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 39 | 40 | -1 | 36 |
| 4 | Milwaukee Rampage Milwaukee Rampage The Milwaukee Rampage is a defunct American soccer franchise, which played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the A-League. The Rampage folded in 2002 because of financial problems, despite winning the A-league championship that year, as well as in 1997. The Rampage was founded in 1994 as a member of the... |
28 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 33 | 36 | -3 | 36 |
| 5 | Minnesota Thunder Minnesota Thunder Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby... |
28 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 30 | -8 | 35 |
| 6 | Atlanta Ruckus | 28 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 39 | 48 | -9 | 30 |
Pacific Division
| Place | Team | GP | W | SW | SL | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Jaguars California Jaguars California Jaguars were an American soccer team that played in Salinas, California at the Salinas Sports Complex.They joined the USISL in 1995 as the Monterey Bay Jaguars, but changed the name a year later... |
28 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 48 | 34 | +14 | 52 |
| 2 | Seattle Sounders | 28 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 42 | 19 | +33 | 50 |
| 3 | Vancouver 86ers | 28 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 50 | 29 | +21 | 46 |
| 4 | Colorado Foxes Colorado Foxes The Colorado Foxes were a professional soccer team, based in Commerce City, Colorado, that played in the APSL between 1990 and 1997. The Foxes won two APSL titles, in 1992 and 1993. When Major League Soccer started and the Colorado Rapids became the region's premier team, the Foxes tried to stay... |
28 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 55 | 49 | +6 | 46 |
| 5 | Orange County Zodiac | 28 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 35 | 62 | -27 | 31 |
| 6 | El Paso Patriots El Paso Patriots Chivas El Paso Patriots is an American soccer team based in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at... |
28 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 30 | 50 | -20 | 18 |
Northeast Semifinal 1
Northeast Semifinal 2
Atlantic Semifinal 1
Atlantic Semifinal 2
Central Semifinal 1
Central Semifinal 2
Pacific Semifinal 1
Pacific Semifinal 2
Northeast Division final
Atlantic Division final
Central Division final
Pacific Division final
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Final
MVP: Carmine IsaccoCarmine Isacco
Carmine Isacco is a Canadian soccer coach and retired player. He is currently the head coach of SC Toronto of the Canadian Soccer League.-Playing career:...
, Milwaukee Rampage
Points leaders
| Rank | Scorer | Club | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doug Miller Doug Miller Doug Miller is a U.S. soccer forward and a youth soccer coach. He spent one season in Major Indoor Soccer League and nine in the National Professional Soccer League, winning two championships and leading the league in scoring in 1998-1999. Miller also played ten seasons of outdoor soccer in the... |
Rochester Rhinos | 23 | 5 | 51 |
| 2 | Mark Baena Mark Baena Mark Baena is a retired American soccer player. Baena is the highest goalscorer in the history of USL First Division, where he amassed eighty-six goals... |
California Jaguars California Jaguars California Jaguars were an American soccer team that played in Salinas, California at the Salinas Sports Complex.They joined the USISL in 1995 as the Monterey Bay Jaguars, but changed the name a year later... |
20 | 4 | 44 |
| 3 | Stern John Stern John Stern John is a Trinidadian football player currently playing for North East Stars in Trinidad. He played for a number of high profile English football clubs that included Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City and Coventry City.-Early Career in US:John moved to the United States to attend Mercer... |
New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers | 16 | 5 | 37 |
| 4 | Steve Patterson Steve Patterson Steve Patterson may refer to:* Steve Patterson , American basketball player and coach* Steve Patterson , American sports executive with teams in several different leagues... |
Colorado Foxes Colorado Foxes The Colorado Foxes were a professional soccer team, based in Commerce City, Colorado, that played in the APSL between 1990 and 1997. The Foxes won two APSL titles, in 1992 and 1993. When Major League Soccer started and the Colorado Rapids became the region's premier team, the Foxes tried to stay... |
16 | 3 | 35 |
| 5 | Jamel Mitchell Jamel Mitchell Jamel Mitchell was an American soccer forward who last played professionally in Major League Soccer, the USL First Division and USL Second Division.... |
Nashville Metros Nashville Metros Nashville Metros is an American soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference... |
17 | 0 | 34 |
| Jimmy Glenn Jimmy Glenn Jimmy Glenn is a retired U.S. soccer forward who played two seasons in Major League Soccer as well as in the National Professional Soccer League, USISL and USL A-League.-Youth:... |
Rochester Rhinos | 13 | 8 | 34 | |
| 7 | Yari Allnutt Yari Allnutt Yari Allnutt is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in Mexico and the United States, including the American Professional Soccer League and Major League Soccer... |
Carolina Dynamo Carolina Dynamo Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home... |
12 | 9 | 33 |
| Domenic Mobilio Domenic Mobilio Domenic Mobilio was a Canadian professional soccer player.-Club career:Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mobilio was a long-time member of the Vancouver 86ers turned Vancouver Whitecaps... |
Vancouver 86ers | 14 | 5 | 33 | |
| Darren Tilley Darren Tilley Darren Tilley is an English football coach for USL-1 club Rochester Rhinos.-Playing career:Tilley played for York City F.C. in the English Third Division from 1991-1993. In 1997, Tilley began the season with the Toronto Lynx before being traded to the Montreal Impact... |
Montreal Impact 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... |
13 | 7 | 33 | |
| Gustavo Leval | Orange County Zodiac | 16 | 1 | 33 | |
| 11 | Sebastian Barnes | Orlando Sundogs Orlando Sundogs The Orlando Sundogs were an American soccer club that played in the A-League in 1997. The team nearly folded before the end of the season, but were purchased by the Atlanta Ruckus. During the off season, the team tried to find a suitable venue for an A-League team outside the Florida Citrus Bowl,... |
14 | 3 | 31 |
| 12 | Garret Kusch Garret Kusch Garret Andrew Kusch is a Canadian former soccer player who played at both professional and international levels as a striker. After retiring as a player, Kusch became a Chiropractor.-Club career:... |
Vancouver 86ers | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| 13 | Michael Galley | Seattle Sounders | 10 | 7 | 27 |
| Rob Ukrop | Richmond Kickers Richmond Kickers The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid... |
12 | 3 | 27 |
Honors
- MVP: Doug MillerDoug MillerDoug Miller is a U.S. soccer forward and a youth soccer coach. He spent one season in Major Indoor Soccer League and nine in the National Professional Soccer League, winning two championships and leading the league in scoring in 1998-1999. Miller also played ten seasons of outdoor soccer in the...
- Leading goal scorer: Doug MillerDoug MillerDoug Miller is a U.S. soccer forward and a youth soccer coach. He spent one season in Major Indoor Soccer League and nine in the National Professional Soccer League, winning two championships and leading the league in scoring in 1998-1999. Miller also played ten seasons of outdoor soccer in the...
- Leading goalkeeper: Dusty HudockDusty HudockDustin "Dusty" Hudock is an American soccer player, Retired.-Youth and College:Hudock grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, attended Deer Valley High School, and played club soccer for a local team called Arsenal...
- Rookie of the Year: Stern JohnStern JohnStern John is a Trinidadian football player currently playing for North East Stars in Trinidad. He played for a number of high profile English football clubs that included Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City and Coventry City.-Early Career in US:John moved to the United States to attend Mercer...
- Coach of the Year: Bob Lilleo
- First Team All League
- Goalkeeper: Dusty HudockDusty HudockDustin "Dusty" Hudock is an American soccer player, Retired.-Youth and College:Hudock grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, attended Deer Valley High School, and played club soccer for a local team called Arsenal...
- Defenders: John LimniatisJohn LimniatisJohn Limniatis is a retired Canadian professional footballer. He played 44 times and scored one goal for the Canadian national soccer team and was formerly the head coach of the Montreal Impact.-Club career:...
, Scott SchweitzerScott SchweitzerScott Schweitzer is an American soccer coach and former professional soccer player. He spent two years as the head coach of Carolina RailHawks FC.-College soccer:...
, Mark WatsonMark WatsonMark Stewart Watson is a professional soccer player who has earned the second most caps in the history of the Canadian national team.-Playing career:...
, Travis Rinker - Midfielders: Yari AllnuttYari AllnuttYari Allnutt is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in Mexico and the United States, including the American Professional Soccer League and Major League Soccer...
, Mauro BielloMauro BielloMauro Biello is now an assistant coach for the MLS-bound Montreal Impact and is best known for having been professional soccer player on the same team....
, Garret Kusch - Forwards: Mark BaenaMark BaenaMark Baena is a retired American soccer player. Baena is the highest goalscorer in the history of USL First Division, where he amassed eighty-six goals...
, Doug MillerDoug MillerDoug Miller is a U.S. soccer forward and a youth soccer coach. He spent one season in Major Indoor Soccer League and nine in the National Professional Soccer League, winning two championships and leading the league in scoring in 1998-1999. Miller also played ten seasons of outdoor soccer in the...
, Stern JohnStern JohnStern John is a Trinidadian football player currently playing for North East Stars in Trinidad. He played for a number of high profile English football clubs that included Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City and Coventry City.-Early Career in US:John moved to the United States to attend Mercer...
- Goalkeeper: Dusty Hudock
- Second Team All League
- Goalkeeper: Paollo Cecarelli
- Defenders: Don GramenzDon GramenzDon Gramenz is a retired American soccer player who played as a defender for Minnesota Thunder for eleven seasons, being named to the club's Hall of Fame. Gramenz played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he was a team captain. He served as the interim manager of the...
, Robert RosarioRobert RosarioRobert Michael Rosario is a retired English footballer who played professionally for Norwich City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Nottingham Forest before playing and coaching in the United States....
, Bill SedgewickBill SedgewickWilliam "Bill" Sedgewick is an retired American professional soccer player who played both indoors and outdoors.-College:...
, Dan Anguelov - Midfielders: John SmithJohn Smith (soccer)John Smith is a retired English football striker who spent his entire career in the United States. He coaches the University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team.-Player:...
, Nick DeSantis, Domenic MobilioDomenic MobilioDomenic Mobilio was a Canadian professional soccer player.-Club career:Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mobilio was a long-time member of the Vancouver 86ers turned Vancouver Whitecaps... - Forwards: Steve Patterson, Darren TilleyDarren TilleyDarren Tilley is an English football coach for USL-1 club Rochester Rhinos.-Playing career:Tilley played for York City F.C. in the English Third Division from 1991-1993. In 1997, Tilley began the season with the Toronto Lynx before being traded to the Montreal Impact...
, Mike Gailey