Pittsburgh Spirit
Encyclopedia
Pittsburgh Spirit were an indoor soccer team based out of Pittsburgh
and were one of the original six teams that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League
. Despite being founded in 1978, the Spirit took leave of absence from the MISL beginning August 28, 1980 and ending June 10, 1981.
's 103 goals. Both Terlecki and Zungul were named MISL regular season MVP. Goaltender Krys Sobieski had the third-lowest goals-against average with a 4.20 GAA.
The Spirit would face the third-place Baltimore Blast in the playoffs. The Spirit lost the first game of the playoffs 3-1 but took the second game with a 6-5 overtime victory. The Spirit lost the third game of the series 6-2, which eliminated the Spirit from post-season play.
led the Spirit with a 16-8 record with a 4.12 GAA. Kevin Maher
would earn the honor of MISL Rookie Of The Year. The Spirit made the playoffs, but would lose to the Cleveland Force three games to one.
season would be the final season for the Spirit. Although they finished only four games out of first place of the MISL's Eastern Division, they also finished in last place with a record of 23-25. Goaltender David Brcic was named to the All-MISL team. After the completion of the season, the Pittsburgh Spirit folded.
(1985–86) 43 Apps 0 Goals Steve Buttle
(1979–80) 28 Apps 35 Goals Micky Cave
(1981–84) Clive Charles
(1982)
Paul Child (1981–86) 133 Apps 140 Goals Alfie Conn
(1979–80) John Dolinsky
(1978–79) 22 Apps 16 Goals Helmut Dudek
(1985–86) Drago Dumbovic (1983-84) 37 Apps 32 Goals David Egan
Charlie Falzon
(1985–86) Graham Fyfe
(1979–80) 31 Apps 37 Goals Charley Greene (1984–86)
Fred Grgurev
(1985–86) David Hoggan
(1984–86) Godfrey Ingram
(1985–86) Tommy Jenkins
Zdzisław Kapka (1983–86) 45 Apps 30 Goals Erhardt Kapp
(1984–86) Nicky Klinarski (1985–86) Marcio Leite (1984–86)
Mark Liveric
(1985–86) Dave MacKenzie (1984–85) Pat McCluskey
(1982–83) David McNiven
(1984–85) Kevin Maher
(1983–86) Peter Mannos
(1978–79) 16 Apps 0 Goals Alan Mayer
(1979–80) 17 Apps 0 Goals Shep Messing
(1984–85) Joe Mihaljevic
(1982–86) Piotr Mowlik
(1984–86) 27 Apps 0 Goals Bill Nichol (1981–82) 44 Apps 26 Goals Sid Nolan (1978–79) 23 Apps 21 Goals Grzegorz Ostalczyk (1981–85) Joe Papaleo
(1983–84) 25 Apps 0 Goals Art Rex (1979–80) Nathan Sacks
(1982) Dave Sarachan
(1978–79) 23 Apps 23 Goals Krzysztof Sobieski (1981–83) 70 Apps 0 Goals Janusz Sybis
(1983–86) 42 Apps 35 Goals Stanisław Terlecki"Stan the Man" (1981–83) 88 Apps 139 Goals (1984–85) 39 Apps 39 Goals George Tiger
(1984–85) 93 Apps 19 Goals Adam Topolski
(1984–86) Keith Tozer
(1981–84) 85 Apps 8 Goals Val Tuska
(1985–86) Bob Vosmaer (1984–85) Roger Wynter (1984–85)
(1979–80) John Kowalski
(1981–85)
Don Popovic
(1985–1986)
MISL All-Star Team
MISL Rookie of the Year
Coach of the Year
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
and were one of the original six teams that played in 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...
. Despite being founded in 1978, the Spirit took leave of absence from the MISL beginning August 28, 1980 and ending June 10, 1981.
1981-82
The Pittsburgh Spirit were reinstated into the Major Indoor Soccer League for the 1981-82 season. Stan Terlecki led the team with 74 goals, which was second only to Steve ZungulSteve Zungul
Slaviša Žungul, known in the United States as Steve Zungul is a retired Yugoslavian-American football striker. Žungul began his career with Hajduk Split in his native Yugoslavia before moving to the United States where he became a dominant indoor soccer striker...
's 103 goals. Both Terlecki and Zungul were named MISL regular season MVP. Goaltender Krys Sobieski had the third-lowest goals-against average with a 4.20 GAA.
The Spirit would face the third-place Baltimore Blast in the playoffs. The Spirit lost the first game of the playoffs 3-1 but took the second game with a 6-5 overtime victory. The Spirit lost the third game of the series 6-2, which eliminated the Spirit from post-season play.
1982-83
The Spirit did not repeat the success of their previous season and played .500 soccer for the 1982-83 season (24-24-0). Stan Terlecki once again led the Spirit in goals (65) and points (105), and forward Paul Child finished in the top 25 in points (68). Krys Sobieski played sub-.500 goal, going 19-20 and watched his GAA fall to 4.88. The Spirit did not qualify for the playoffs during this season.1983-84
The Spirit would have their best season in 1983-84, going 32-16 despite losing two-time leading scorer Terlecki to the Golden Bay Earthquakes. The Spirit's attendance would peak during this season, drawing 8,000 fans. By comparison, the Pittsburgh Penguins averaged around 6,000 during the same season. Zeee Kapka would lead the Spirit with 66 points and former first round draft pick Joe PapaleoJoe Papaleo
Joe Papaleo is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and the Continental Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1990 MISL Goalkeeper of the Year and the 1993 CISL Goalkeeper of the Year...
led the Spirit with a 16-8 record with a 4.12 GAA. Kevin Maher
Kevin Maher (soccer)
Kevin Maher is a retired American soccer midfielder who spent four seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1984–1985 MISL Rookie of the Year and a 1982 NCAA Division I first team All American.-Youth:...
would earn the honor of MISL Rookie Of The Year. The Spirit made the playoffs, but would lose to the Cleveland Force three games to one.
1984-85
Two-time former leading scorer Stan Terlecki returned to the team, but the Spirit finished in sixth place ten games under .500, going 19-29. Terlecki led the team with 39 goals and 66 points and goaltender Peter Mowlik finished the season 11-13 with a 4.71 GAA.1985-86
The 1985-19861986 in sports
1986 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup –** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Maria Walliser, Switzerland-American football:...
season would be the final season for the Spirit. Although they finished only four games out of first place of the MISL's Eastern Division, they also finished in last place with a record of 23-25. Goaltender David Brcic was named to the All-MISL team. After the completion of the season, the Pittsburgh Spirit folded.
Return
There was an attempt to revive the Spirit for the final Major Soccer League season, but it did not come to be. An ownership group known as Pittsburgh Soccer Inc. was approved to operate the Major Soccer League expansion team for three years.Former players
David BrcicDavid Brcic
David Joseph Brcic is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He also competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and earned four caps with the United States men's national soccer team.-Youth career:In 1976, Brcic...
(1985–86) 43 Apps 0 Goals Steve Buttle
Steve Buttle
Steve Buttle is a retired English professional midfielder who spent six seasons in England, six in the North American Soccer League and at least three in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
(1979–80) 28 Apps 35 Goals Micky Cave
Micky Cave
Michael John "Micky" Cave was an English footballer who played as a midfielder.-Career:Born in Weymouth, Dorset, Cave was studying engineering when he started his career in non-League football with hometown club Weymouth in 1966. He joined Torquay United in July 1968, soon settling into the...
(1981–84) Clive Charles
Clive Charles
Clive Charles was a football player, coach and television announcer. Charles began his career with West Ham United and finished it in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He later coached at the high school, collegiate and international levels in the United States.-Player:Charles was born in London,...
(1982)
Paul Child (1981–86) 133 Apps 140 Goals Alfie ConnAlfie Conn, Jr.
Alfred James "Alfie" Conn is a Scottish former professional footballer who was the first post-World War II player to play for both Rangers and Celtic.- Life and career :...
(1979–80) John Dolinsky
John Dolinsky
John Dolinsky is a retired German-American soccer player who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, American Soccer League, United Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association. He also coached in the American Indoor Soccer Association where he was the 1989 Coach of the...
(1978–79) 22 Apps 16 Goals Helmut Dudek
Helmut Dudek
Helmut Dudek is deceased Polish-German football defender who won the 1978–79 UEFA Cup with Borussia Mönchengladbach...
(1985–86) Drago Dumbovic (1983-84) 37 Apps 32 Goals David Egan
David Egan
Reuben David Egan is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist based in Lafayette, Louisiana, who composes, records, and performs rock, Cajun-rock, soul, and blues.- Selected discography :...
Charlie Falzon
Charlie Falzon
Charlie Falzon is a retired Canadian soccer player who spent time in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned nine caps with the Canadian national soccer team between 1983 and 1989...
(1985–86) Graham Fyfe
Graham Fyfe (footballer born 1951)
Graham Fyfe is a Scottish former professional football player, who is best known for his time with Rangers....
(1979–80) 31 Apps 37 Goals Charley Greene (1984–86)
Fred GrgurevFred Grgurev
Ferdo "Fred" Grgurev is a retired Yugoslavian-American football forward who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League...
(1985–86) David Hoggan
David Hoggan (footballer)
David Matthew "Hoggy" Hoggan is a retired Scottish professional footballer. He spent four seasons in England with the Bolton Wanderers before moving to the United States...
(1984–86) Godfrey Ingram
Godfrey Ingram
Godfrey Patrick Ingram is a retired English professional footballer who played as a striker. Active in England, Wales and the United States, Ingram made over 440 career league appearances, and scored over 270 league goals.-Career:...
(1985–86) Tommy Jenkins
Tommy Jenkins
Thomas Ernest "Tommy" Jenkins is a retired English footballer. He played professionally in two continents as a gifted winger and is now a soccer coach in the United States.-Early career:...
Zdzisław Kapka (1983–86) 45 Apps 30 Goals Erhardt Kapp
Erhardt Kapp
Erhardt Kapp is a retired Romanian-American soccer defender and current youth soccer coach. He was also a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team....
(1984–86) Nicky Klinarski (1985–86) Marcio Leite (1984–86)
Mark LivericMark Liveric
Mirko “Mark” Liveric is a retired Yugoslavian-American soccer forward who spent eight years in the North American Soccer League and seven in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned sixteen caps, scoring three goals, with the U.S. national team.-NASL:...
(1985–86) Dave MacKenzie (1984–85) Pat McCluskey
Pat McCluskey
Pat McCluskey is a retired Scottish footballer. He spent most of his career in the Scottish League, except for part of one season in Ireland and one season in the United States....
(1982–83) David McNiven
David McNiven (footballer born 1955)
David Scott McNiven is a Scottish former footballer who played for Leeds United, Bradford City, Blackpool and Morecambe. His sons David and Scott are both football players as well.-Sources:*...
(1984–85) Kevin Maher
Kevin Maher (soccer)
Kevin Maher is a retired American soccer midfielder who spent four seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1984–1985 MISL Rookie of the Year and a 1982 NCAA Division I first team All American.-Youth:...
(1983–86) Peter Mannos
Peter Mannos
Peter Mannos is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper who played two seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the American Soccer League and one inMajor Indoor Soccer League. He was also a two-time first team All American goalkeeper....
(1978–79) 16 Apps 0 Goals Alan Mayer
Alan Mayer
Alan Mayer, a native of Islip, New York is a retired soccer goalkeeper from the United States. He played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League and earned six caps with the United States men's national soccer team....
(1979–80) 17 Apps 0 Goals Shep Messing
Shep Messing
Shep Messing is a former American soccer goalkeeper and current broadcaster. He played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and six in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was also a member of the U.S...
(1984–85) Joe Mihaljevic
Joe Mihaljevic
Joe Mihaljevic is a retired soccer forward. He runs a reputable year-round soccer school in Folsom, California since September 2003 and in March 2008, established the Mihaljevic Soccer Club - Top Gun, a champion competitive youth soccer club.-Youth:His father, Djuro George Mihaljevic, a native...
(1982–86) Piotr Mowlik
Piotr Mowlik
Piotr Mowlik is a retired Polish football goalkeeper.In 1965, Mowlik began as an apprentice with LZS Orzepowice. In 1966, he signed as a professional with ROW Rybnik where he played until 1970. That year, he also briefly played for Unia Racibórz. In 1971, he joinedLegia Warsaw where he played...
(1984–86) 27 Apps 0 Goals Bill Nichol (1981–82) 44 Apps 26 Goals Sid Nolan (1978–79) 23 Apps 21 Goals Grzegorz Ostalczyk (1981–85) Joe Papaleo
Joe Papaleo
Joe Papaleo is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and the Continental Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1990 MISL Goalkeeper of the Year and the 1993 CISL Goalkeeper of the Year...
(1983–84) 25 Apps 0 Goals Art Rex (1979–80) Nathan Sacks
Nathan Sacks
Nathan Sacks is a former South African professional football player who spent one season in the North American Soccer League.-Professional:...
(1982) Dave Sarachan
Dave Sarachan
Dave Sarachan is a former U.S. soccer coach and player. He spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League and four in Major Indoor Soccer League before retiring in 1982...
(1978–79) 23 Apps 23 Goals Krzysztof Sobieski (1981–83) 70 Apps 0 Goals Janusz Sybis
Janusz Sybis
-References:* at 90 Minut* at Weltfussball...
(1983–86) 42 Apps 35 Goals Stanisław Terlecki"Stan the Man" (1981–83) 88 Apps 139 Goals (1984–85) 39 Apps 39 Goals George Tiger
George Tiger
George Tiger is a retired American soccer player who spent time in the American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.Tiger attended Lafayette College where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1976 to 1980. He was the 1981 Charles L...
(1984–85) 93 Apps 19 Goals Adam Topolski
Adam Topolski
Adam Stephen Topolski is a retired Polish football defender who played professionally Poland and the United States. Since his retirement in 1988, he has amassed a considerable resume as a coach in Poland.-Player:...
(1984–86) Keith Tozer
Keith Tozer
Keith Tozer is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, American Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association. He currently coaches the Milwaukee Wave of Major Indoor Soccer League.-College:...
(1981–84) 85 Apps 8 Goals Val Tuska
Val Tuska
Veljko Tukša is a retired Yugoslavian football player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1982 MISL Defender of the Year.In 1979, Tuksa played for Toronto Metros-Croatia of the North American Soccer League...
(1985–86) Bob Vosmaer (1984–85) Roger Wynter (1984–85)
Former coaches
Bruno Schwartz (1978–79) Alex Pringle (1979) Len BilousLen Bilous
Len Bilous is a retired American soccer player and coach. He played in the American Soccer League and coached for three seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League where he was the 1979-1980 MISL Coach of the Year....
(1979–80) John Kowalski
John Kowalski
John Kowalski is a former coach of the professional United States soccer clubs Tampa Bay Mutiny , Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Pittsburgh Spirit...
(1981–85)
Don PopovicDon Popovic
Dragan "Don" Popovic is a retired professional soccer midfielder and current coach in the United States. He played professionally in Yugoslavia, Canada and the North American Soccer League...
(1985–1986)
Individual Honours
MISL MVP- 1981-1982 - Stan Terlecki (jointly held)
MISL All-Star Team
- 1981-1982 - Stan Terlecki
- 1985-1986 - David BrcicDavid BrcicDavid Joseph Brcic is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He also competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and earned four caps with the United States men's national soccer team.-Youth career:In 1976, Brcic...
MISL Rookie of the Year
- 1983-1984 - Kevin MaherKevin Maher (soccer)Kevin Maher is a retired American soccer midfielder who spent four seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the 1984–1985 MISL Rookie of the Year and a 1982 NCAA Division I first team All American.-Youth:...
Coach of the Year
- 1979-80 - Len BilousLen BilousLen Bilous is a retired American soccer player and coach. He played in the American Soccer League and coached for three seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League where he was the 1979-1980 MISL Coach of the Year....
(jointly held)