Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Encyclopedia
- This article is about the original Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL. For other teams named 'Fort Lauderdale Strikers' see Fort Lauderdale StrikersFort Lauderdale StrikersFort Lauderdale Strikers was an American soccer team, a descendant of the Washington Darts, Miami Gatos, and Miami Toros, that played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida....
.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers was an American soccer team, a descendant of the Washington Darts
Washington Darts
Washington Darts was an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C. that was a member of the American Soccer League and later the North American Soccer League....
, Miami Gatos, and Miami Toros
Miami Toros
The Miami Gatos were a soccer team based out of Miami that played in the North American Soccer League. The club was previously known as the Washington Darts. After the 1972 season, the team was renamed the Miami Toros...
, that played in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
The Strikers were members of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
from 1977 to its penultimate year, 1983. They also played two NASL indoor seasons in 1979-1980 and 1980-1981. They were owned by Joe Robbie who also owned the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Major signers
The first major signing for Ft Lauderdale was England goalkeeping legend Gordon BanksGordon Banks
Gordon Banks, OBE is a retired English football goalkeeper. The IFFHS named Banks the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century – after Lev Yashin and ahead of Dino Zoff ....
. Banks was the top keeper in the league his first year despite being blind in one eye.
The legendary George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
signed for the Strikers midway through the 1978 season after falling out with the management at the Los Angeles Aztecs
Los Angeles Aztecs
The Los Angeles Aztecs were a soccer team that competed in the North American Soccer League from 1974-81. The team was based in Los Angeles, California and part-owned by Elton John.-History:...
. Best played for the rest of the 1978 season and the whole of 1979's campaign.
In 1979 the Strikers signed Peruvian legend Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
, who would play with the club until their departure for Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in 1983. 1979 was a bumper year for the Strikers as they also acquired German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
centre forward Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller
Gerhard "Gerd" Müller is a former German football player and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.With national records of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and the international record of 66 goals in 74 European Club games, he was one of the...
. These former World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
stars helped the Strikers reach the Soccer Bowl
Soccer Bowl
The Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl....
, the NASL's championship match, in 1980 where they lost to the New York Cosmos
New York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
3-0.
Moved
After the 1983 season, the Strikers were moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota StrikersMinnesota Strikers
The Minnesota Strikers was an American professional soccer team located in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The team played one season in the North American Soccer League and 4 seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
. That club survived the end of the NASL by joining the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
in 1984, but did eventually fold in 1988.
Ray Hudson
Ray Hudson
Ray Hudson , is a retired professional football player and former coach who currently works as an English-language football commentator on Gol TV.-Career:...
, Phil Schoen and Jeff Rusnak were recently interviewed regarding their memories of the Strikers.
Year-by-year
| Year | Record | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 19-7 | 1st, Eastern Division, American Conference | Divisional Playoff |
| 1978 | 16-14 | 3rd, Eastern Division, American Conference | American Conference Finals |
| 1979 | 17-13 | 2nd, Eastern Division, American Conference | American Conference Quarterfinals |
| 1980 | 18-14 | 2nd, Eastern Division, American Conference | Runners-up |
| 1981 | 18-14 | 2nd, Southern Division | Semifinals |
| 1982 | 18-14 | 1st, Southern Division | Semifinals |
| 1983 | 14-16 | 2nd, Southern Division | Quarterfinals |
Honors
NASL Championships- none
Division Titles
- 1977 Eastern Division, Atlantic Conference
- 1982 Southern Division
Coach of the Year
- 1977 Ron NewmanRon Newman (footballer)Ronald Vernon Newman is a former association football player and coach. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
All-Star First Team Selections
- 1977 Gordon BanksGordon BanksGordon Banks, OBE is a retired English football goalkeeper. The IFFHS named Banks the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century – after Lev Yashin and ahead of Dino Zoff ....
- 1980 Teófilo CubillasTeófilo CubillasTeófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
- 1981 Teófilo CubillasTeófilo CubillasTeófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
, Jan van BeverenJan van BeverenJan van Beveren was a Dutch football goalkeeper who played 32 caps for the Dutch National Team during the late 1960s and the 1970s.... - 1983 Jan van BeverenJan van BeverenJan van Beveren was a Dutch football goalkeeper who played 32 caps for the Dutch National Team during the late 1960s and the 1970s....
All-Star Second Team Selections
- 1978 Ray HudsonRay HudsonRay Hudson , is a retired professional football player and former coach who currently works as an English-language football commentator on Gol TV.-Career:...
- 1979 Teófilo CubillasTeófilo CubillasTeófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
, Gerd MüllerGerd MüllerGerhard "Gerd" Müller is a former German football player and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.With national records of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and the international record of 66 goals in 74 European Club games, he was one of the... - 1980 Ray HudsonRay HudsonRay Hudson , is a retired professional football player and former coach who currently works as an English-language football commentator on Gol TV.-Career:...
- 1982 Teófilo CubillasTeófilo CubillasTeófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
, Jan van BeverenJan van BeverenJan van Beveren was a Dutch football goalkeeper who played 32 caps for the Dutch National Team during the late 1960s and the 1970s....
All-Star Honorable Mentions
- 1978 George BestGeorge BestGeorge Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
, Maurice WhittleMaurice WhittleMaurice Whittle , is an English footballer who played as a left back in the Football League.-External links:*... - 1980 Jan van BeverenJan van BeverenJan van Beveren was a Dutch football goalkeeper who played 32 caps for the Dutch National Team during the late 1960s and the 1970s....
- 1982 Ray HudsonRay HudsonRay Hudson , is a retired professional football player and former coach who currently works as an English-language football commentator on Gol TV.-Career:...
, Branko SegotaBranko SegotaBranimir "Branko" Šegota is a former Canadian professional soccer forward, starring in the original Major Indoor Soccer League, the North American Soccer League, the Continental Indoor Soccer League, the National Professional Soccer League, and the Canadian Soccer League.Born in Rijeka, then part... - 1983 Ray HudsonRay HudsonRay Hudson , is a retired professional football player and former coach who currently works as an English-language football commentator on Gol TV.-Career:...
, Bruce MillerBruce Miller (soccer)Bruce Miller is a retired Canadian soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, and Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned eight caps with the Canadian national team and coached the Cleveland Crunch to two National Professional Soccer League titles...
Head coaches
Ron NewmanRon Newman (footballer)
Ronald Vernon Newman is a former association football player and coach. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
(1977–1979) Cor van der Hart
Cor van der Hart
Cor van der Hart was a Dutch footballer. He is known as one of the best defenders of the Dutch national team in history, who was physically strong, who read the game very well and who had a quality kicking technique....
(1980) Eckhard Krautzun
Eckhard Krautzun
Eckhard Krautzun is a German football coach and former football player.-Managerial career:As a player, Krautzun turned out for Union Solingen, Rheydter SV, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Young Fellows Zürich and TeBe Berlin. As well as a manager, Krautzun has acted as a technical director and scout...
(1981–1982) David Chadwick
David Chadwick (footballer)
David Edwin Chadwick is an English retired professional footballer/soccer player, who played as a wing-forward, before a career coaching in the United States. He was born in Ootacamund, India.-Playing career:...
(1983–1984)
Famous players
Gordon BanksGordon Banks
Gordon Banks, OBE is a retired English football goalkeeper. The IFFHS named Banks the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century – after Lev Yashin and ahead of Dino Zoff ....
(1977–78) Bobby Bell
Bobby Bell (English footballer)
Robert Charles 'Bobby' Bell is a former professional footballer.Bell, a central defender, began his career as an apprentice with Tottenham Hotspur before playing for Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and York City.His loan spell with Norwich came during the 1971-72...
(1977) George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
(1978–79) Ian Callaghan
Ian Callaghan
Ian Robert Callaghan MBE is a former Liverpool footballer who holds the record for most appearances for the club.-Life and playing career:...
(1978) David Chadwick
David Chadwick (footballer)
David Edwin Chadwick is an English retired professional footballer/soccer player, who played as a wing-forward, before a career coaching in the United States. He was born in Ootacamund, India.-Playing career:...
(1977–79) Bobby Corish (1979) Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
(1979–83) Gordon Fearnley
Gordon Fearnley
Gordon Fearnley is a retired English association football player who spent time in the Football League, North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League....
(1977–78) 22 apps 2 goals Elías Figueroa
Elías Figueroa
Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander is a former football player from Chile. He is considered the best Chilean footballer of all time, as well as one of the greatest defenders ever to play the game....
(1980–1981) Eduardo Bonvallet
Eduardo Bonvallet
Eduardo Guillermo Bonvallet Godoy is a retired Chilean footballer who played as a defensive midfielder and later developed a TV and radio sports commentator career, best known for his strong and rather raw commentaries on Chilean footballers, coaches and football's power structures...
(1980) 1 goal Ken Fogarty
Ken Fogarty
Ken Fogarty is a American soccer coach. Fogarty was Head Coach and Technical Director of the Cayman Islands national team from 1993–1994 and from 1996-1998.-Professional career:...
(1979–83) http://home.att.net/~nasl/players.htm#F John Hickton
John Hickton
John Hickton is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a striker for Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough, Hull City and Middlesbrough, and in the North American Soccer League for Fort Lauderdale Strikers...
(1978) http://home.att.net/~nasl/players.htm#H Ray Hudson
Ray Hudson
Ray Hudson , is a retired professional football player and former coach who currently works as an English-language football commentator on Gol TV.-Career:...
(1977–83) 176 apps 42 goals David Irving
David Irving (footballer)
David Irving is a former professional football striker. His childhood ambition was to play for then Football League side Workington...
(1978–80) http://home.att.net/~nasl/players.htm#I
Gary Jones
Gary Jones (footballer born 1951)
Gary Kenneth Jones is a former English footballer who played as a winger.Born in Prescot, then in Lancashire, he joined Everton from school, and remained with the club for ten years, but played relatively infrequently; only in his last two seasons did he play more than 13 games a season for the...
(1978–1979) 18 apps 2 Goals Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd is an English football coach and former player, who is currently Assistant Manager to Roberto Mancini at Manchester City....
(1982–83) 51 apps 34 goals Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller
Gerhard "Gerd" Müller is a former German football player and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.With national records of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and the international record of 66 goals in 74 European Club games, he was one of the...
(1979–81) Bernd Hölzenbein
Bernd Hölzenbein
Bernd Hölzenbein is a former German football player . He is best known for being fouled in the final against Netherlands, which led to the Germans' equalising penalty....
(1981–82) Tim Parkin
Tim Parkin
Timothy John "Tim" Parkin is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Parkin passed through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers to earn a contract in 1976, in three years with the club he made 13 league appearances...
(1977) Norman Piper
Norman Piper
Norman Piper was an English footballer who played professionally in England for 13 years before finishing his career in the United States....
(1977–78) Thomas Rongen
Thomas Rongen
Thomas Rongen is a Dutch soccer coach, formerly the head coach of D.C. United, the Sporting Director of Major League Soccer club Chivas USA, and the coach of the American Samoa national association football team...
(1981–83) 83 apps Billy Ronson
Billy Ronson
William "Billy" Ronson is a retired English footballer who spent twelve seasons in the English leagues, one in the North American Soccer League, six in the Major Indoor Soccer League and another seven years in a variety of lower division indoor and outdoor leagues in the United States...
(1978) 17 apps 1 Goal Branko Segota
Branko Segota
Branimir "Branko" Šegota is a former Canadian professional soccer forward, starring in the original Major Indoor Soccer League, the North American Soccer League, the Continental Indoor Soccer League, the National Professional Soccer League, and the Canadian Soccer League.Born in Rijeka, then part...
(1981–83) 74 apps Alexandru Szatmáryi (1982–1983) 35 apps Jan van Beveren
Jan van Beveren
Jan van Beveren was a Dutch football goalkeeper who played 32 caps for the Dutch National Team during the late 1960s and the 1970s....
(1980–83) Denny Vaninger
Denny Vaninger
Dennis “Denny” Vaninger is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and at least two seasons in Major Indoor Soccer League. He earned three caps, scoring one goal, with the U.S. national team. He also won the 1971 U.S. Amateur Cup with St. Louis...
(1978–79) Keith Weller
Keith Weller
Keith Weller was an English footballer. He is considered to be one of Leicester City's greatest ever players. Following seven operations for cancer, he died in the United States in 2004 aged 58.-England:...
(1980–83) Tony Whelan
Tony Whelan
Anthony M. "Tony" Whelan is a former Manchester United footballer who currently works as the club's assistant academy director, responsible for the Under-9 to Under-16 player development programme.-Early career:...
(1977–79;1981
Yearly Average Attendance
- 1977 - 8,148
- 1978 - 10,479
- 1979 - 13,774
- 1980 - 14,360
- 1981 - 13,324
- 1982 - 12,345
- 1983 - 10,823
See Also
- Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1988-1994)
- Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1994-1997)
- Miami FusionMiami FusionMiami Fusion F.C. was a professional soccer club located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that participated in Major League Soccer from 1998 to 2001. The club played in Lockhart Stadium, which was a former high school stadium converted into a soccer-specific stadium...
Now defunct MLSMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
team (1997-2001) - Miami FCMiami FCFort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
Division 2 team competing in the NASLNorth American Soccer League (2010)The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...