In 1983, with the North American Soccer League in a tailspin and the US national team 30 years removed from its last World Cup appearance, the NASL and US Soccer Federation banded together to form Team America, a last-ditch effort to help qualify for — and perhaps even land — the 1986 World Cup. This is their story.
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Would be cool to see Team America or America SC expansion team. Only have players who are Canadian or United States citizens? Sorta like how Chivas in Mexico or Nacional in Uruguay.
Many thanks for creating this terrific video! I only discovered this endeavor about a year ago as, by 1983, I'd nearly forgotten about the shrinking, struggling NASL. I too miss that great and very colorful league, but by the mid-80s it was on life support and difficult to find on TV, so I (like many, I suppose) had forgotten about the NASL except for the times I'd glance at the sports section and see the standings. Regardless, I believe Team America was a fascinating concept and it's terrific to hear some quotes from the players as well as to see some of the great action pix.
Correction on behalf of the Team America owner Lifton. With the exception of Ricky Davis, who voluntarily stayed with the Cosmos, there were no American offensive players with scoring ability in 1983 that would have altered the fate of that team. Lifton was all sour grapes and alternative facts.
Man, Ricky Davis had it figured out. Such a dynamic player, lost to the history books unfortunately, with the disastrous USA record in WC Qualifying.
Who's idea was it to hire panagoulias? If they had a better coach, might have been successful,
RIP old friend, Dan Canter. Team America number 5. Great guy, great player, versatile enough to play several positions. Danny had football skills that Jeff Durgan could only dream of; much of it learned as a young lad in Germany, then suburban NJ, undefeated HS team, then Penn State All American. Deserved much better in his pro career and his life. As Ray Hudson said, "Great footballer, you couldn't find a nicer lad".
Very interesting wow I cant believe this happened
It was a good concept that was badly executed. Players like Ricky Davis of the Cosmos, saw it as just another NASL franchise and refused to join.
what MLS? I never seen any of the game on TV.
Most of the players did represent the team for the qualifiers of the World Cup in Mexico.
I always wondered what happened to Team America. I think had it been formed a few years earlier when the NASL was doing better, the tem would have done better. I miss the old NASL. the teams, the players, the uniforms. The MLS lacks the character and flavor that the NASL had
Tony Crecsitelli!? WTF! He's me gym teacher!!
God I remember this league and this team.
Can there be more videos in the offseason about the history of US soccer?
Wow this is really cool and interesting
Isn't this similar to Chivas de Guadalajara or Ac Milan
It seems like this would have made a great 10-15 minute video. I never heard of this experiment until after watching this. Hopefully there will be a follow-up with more detail, yes?
first to watch yay