GAME USED NASL GAME BALL, WASHINGTON DIPLOMATS vs L.A. AZTECS, PLAYOFFS, AUGUST 19, 1979

I received a great e-mail from Jim who is a long-time Washington Diplomats fan.  He sent along this pic of an official NASL game ball that was used in a playoff game between L.A. and Washington in 1979.  He got the ball from former Dips player Ane Mihailovich who sent along the back story on the ball.  Special thanks to Jim for sharing this fantastic item and story!

TEAM USA vs ENGLAND, 1976

U.S. Bicentennial Cup action as Pele is challenged during the USA vs England match.

NEW YORK COSMOS PLAYER WARM-UP JACKET, 1970'S

SHEP MESSING, 1979

ALAN GREEN AND JOHAN CRUYFF, 1980

PORTSMOUTH FC vs TULSA ROUGHNECKS, 1978

CALGARY BOOMERS ALTERNATE LOGO, 1981

Thanks logoshak.com.

KICK MAGAZINE, 1978

U.S. BICENTENNIAL CUP TEAM, 1976

AZTECS vs QUICKSILVERS, 1977

L.A.'s Steve David shoots past Las Vegas goalkeeper Alan Mayer. 

RODNEY MARSH

FURY vs DIPLOMATS, 1980

Philadelphia's John Dempsey (5) and Fran O'Brien (3) defend against Johan Cruyff of the Washington Diplomats.

JIMMY JOHNSTONE, 1975

The Celtic legend played a few games for the San Jose Earthquakes during the 1975 season.

STEVE MOYERS, 1978

DALLAS TORNADO WORLD TOUR, 1967-68

Very special thanks to Bill Crosbie, who participated in the tour as a player for the Dallas Tornado, for providing me with these photos.  It is very much appreciated.

SHEP MESSING AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 1979

MERVYN CAWSTON, STING 'KEEPER

DIPLOMATS vs ROUGHNECKS, 1978

KAZ DEYNA, 1981

Thanks nasljerseys.com

BOSTON BEACONS, 1968

BOSTON MINUTEMEN GAME PROGRAM, 1974

COLORADO vs NEW YORK, 1978

Colorado Caribou's Louie Nanchoff (10) surrounded by the Cosmos' Carlos Alberto (5), Santiago Formoso (25), and Erol Yasin.

USA BICENTENNIAL CUP PROGRAM, 1976

SOCCER ILLUSTRATED, JULY, 1979

DAVE SOCHA, FIFA AND NASL REFEREE

Dave Socha (second from left), was an NASL referee who also had FIFA referee qualifications.  He was one of the officials chosen for the 1982 World Cup tournament in Spain.

DALLAS TORNADO vs INDONESIAN NATIONAL TEAM, JAKARTA, 1968

Left to right, Bobby Roach, John Stewart, and Petter Enger.  

MIKE FLANAGAN, NEW ENGLAND TEAMEN

Mike Flanagan (10) in talks with TeaMen coach Noel Cantwell.

DENVER DYNAMOS, 1975

CHICAGO STING vs POLAND NATIONAL TEAM, INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY, 1975

 

Official KICK Magazine game program.

JOHAN CRUYFF PROMO, 1979

 

Thanks to The Vintage Football Club.

DENNIS TUEART AND FRANZ BECKENBAUER

Hip, Swingin,' Cool!

NASL ROCK STARS!

 

Rick Wakeman (L) show Peter Frampton the red card during a charity match before a Philadelphia Fury home game.  The two rock stars were part of the Fury's ownership group.

BOBBY MOORE, GERRY FRANCIS, AND PELE

 

Pre-game photo from the 1976 Bicentennial Cup Tournament.

"TIMBER JIM"

 

Mascot of the Portland Timbers.

STING vs STOMPERS, 1978

WHITECAPS vs 'QUAKES, 1982

MIAMI TOROS vs PHILADELPHIA ATOMS, 1973

 

Mike Seerey (9) of the Toros grabs the Atoms' Barry Barto during an NASL match played July 25, 1973.

TEAM HAWAII LOGO, 1977

 

Thanks logoshak.com.

NEED SOME HELP!

I ran across this press photo on Ebay. It shows Trevor Francis playing in the Pontiac Silverdome, the Detroit Express' home field. The striped jersey that Trevor is wearing does not look like any Express uniform I have seen. Also, the ball in the photo is not the NASL "star" ball. Could this have been a pre-season game? Does anyone know who the opposing team might be? If anyone has any info on this photo, PLEASE leave a comment.
UPDATE:
After the original Detroit Express moved to Washington, DC to become the new Washington Diplomats, the city of Detroit had no team. The Express was reformed and played a season in the American Soccer League (ASL). This photo shows Trevor Francis "guesting" for the ASL version of the Detroit Express.
UPDATE 2: I received an e-mail from Mark who attended this game. It was the 1981 ASL All-Star game which pitted the Detroit Express with Trevor Francis against a team of ASL All-Stars. The All-Stars defeated the Express 2-0 at the Pontiac Silverdome. Thanks Mark!

BILLY CASKEY, 1980