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1980–81 NASL indoor season

The 1980–81 season was the North American Soccer League's second indoor soccer season.

Overview

A total of 19 of a possible 21 NASL teams participated. New York and Montreal (who was moving from Philadelphia) were the only hold-outs this indoor season. Just as the season was getting underway, the Jacksonville Tea Men relocated from New England.[1] Teams played an 18-game regular season. The four Canadian teams were realigned into one division and forced to play only one another during the regular season. This was due to early season litigation which restricted NASL teams' travel between the U.S. and Canada.[2][3] The Edmonton Drillers won the championship in a two-game finals-sweep of the Chicago Sting. This was the Drillers' first, and only, NASL indoor title. Kai Haaskivi of Edmonton won both the regular season and playoff MVP awards.[4][5]

Map of clubs

Regular season

W = Wins, L = Losses, GB = Games behind 1st place, % = Winning percentage, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against[6]

NASL All-Stars

All-star selections were made, by region, by the NASL coaches and general managers. Each voter cast ballots for one goalie and five outfield players regardless of position.[7]

Playoffs

Bracket

1st round

If a playoff series is tied after two games, a 15 minute, tie breaker mini-game is played.

#Scheduling conflicts at the Portland Coliseum forced both games to be played in Chicago.[9]

Semi-finals

Championship finals

*Scheduling conflicts at the Northlands Coliseum forced Game 1 of the Finals to be moved across the street to the Edmonton Gardens.[11]

Championship match reports


1980–81 NASL indoor champions: Edmonton Drillers

Post season awards

References

  1. ^ "Tea Men are leaving N.E. for new home in Florida". The Day. November 17, 1980. p. 28. Retrieved October 24, 2016 – via Google News Archive Search.
  2. ^ Conklin, Mike (March 3, 1981). "Sting may be in for a surprise in finals". Chicago Tribune. p. 3, Sec 5. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  3. ^ "Three NASL team fold". The Phoenix. November 25, 1980. p. C5. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "Timbers-Sounders Game Opens NASL Indoor Season". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. December 3, 1981. p. 15-B. Retrieved October 24, 2016 – via Google News Archive Search.
  5. ^ Conklin, Mike (March 7, 1981). "It's official –Arno to join Sting's uphill battle". Chicago Tribune. p. Sec 2 p.2. Retrieved January 6, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ 1983 Official North American Soccer League Guide
  7. ^ a b c Henderson, Jim (April 21, 1981). "For Keith Bailey, The Long Wait Is Finally Over". The Tampa Tribune. p. 5-C. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  8. ^ Jones, Graham L. (February 19, 1981). "Surf Beats Whitecaps, 3–0". Los Angeles Times. p. III-12. Retrieved December 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Conklin, Mike (February 16, 1981). "Sting home for playoff opener". Chicago Tribune. p. 3, Sec 4. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  10. ^ "Kai Haaskivi 6 goals 1981 NASL Indoor Finals Edmonton Drillers". Archived from the original on December 5, 2021 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ Conklin, Mike (March 3, 1981). "Finn star peppers Sting with 6 goals, Edmonton wins". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, Sec 5. Retrieved December 21, 2016.