DEREK SMETHURST, 1976

Derek Smethurst (12) moves past the Cosmos' Dave Clements in a match played at Tampa Stadium on June 6, 1976.  Smethurst got a hat-trick in the Rowdies' 5-1 hammering of New York. 

ON HOLIDAY, BACK NEXT WEEK!

STRIKERS MERCHANDISE, 1981

CALIFORNIA vs CALGARY, 1981

Boomers' players prepare for a Surf free-kick at Anaheim Stadium on July 29, 1981.

California 4 (Oates, Moyers (2), Van Der Veen).

Calgary 2 (Kristensen, Gerber)

Attendance:  5,531

JIM BARRON, 1977

Goalkeeper for the Connecticut Bicentennials.

1979 ROCHESTER "LANCER DANCERS"

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS ON RADIO STATION CJOR/60, 1978

FRANZ BECKENBAUER, 1977

ADIDAS NASL CLEATS AUTOGRAPHED BY TREVOR FRANCIS

These cleats are from the Adidas NASL line shown in the previous post.  The left shoe was autographed by Trevor Francis in 1978 while he was playing for the  Detroit Express.

ADIDAS NASL AD, 1978

BLIZZARD vs SOCKERS, 1979

San Diego's Bob Smith gets squeezed between Toronto's Jim Bone (12) and Paulo Mata (21) in a match played June 29, 1979 in front of 6,284 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto.  The Blizzard came out on top 2-1 with goals from George Gibbs and Peter Lorimer.  Leonardo Cuellar scored the lone Sockers' goal. 

KICK MAGAZINE, 1983

GERD MUELLER, 1979

"Der Bomber" looking reflective for Ft. Lauderdale during the '79 season.

SHEP MESSING, 1977

Very special thanks to Shep Messing for the photo.

"WINNING SOCCER" by AL MILLER

St. LOUIS STARS SCHEDULE COVER, 1968

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS, 1978

Local ad for an automobile leasing company featuring, and autographed by, Alan Hinton (L) and Bobby Campbell.

NEW WASHINGTON DIPLOMATS BLOG!

 My friend Jim has started a blog dedicated to the Washington Diplomats of the NASL.  Please check it out at washingtondiplomats.blogspot.com

RODNEY MARSH and FAN, 1979

Thanks to Mike for the photo.

PORTLAND vs ATLANTA, 1979

The Chiefs' Greg Makowski (4) tackles the ball away from Willie Anderson (12) of the Timbers in a game played July 8, 1979 at Portland.  Atlanta won the match 3-0 on goals from Adrian Brooks, Jeff Bourne, and Neil Roberts.

KYLE ROTE, Jr., 1978

SAN DIEGO SOCKERS, 1982

PAUL CANNELL, "MOONER," 1978

Washington Diplomats' fan Jim sent me this great newspaper article from 1978.  Paul Cannell was one of the NASL's toughest players.  He was a hard-nosed striker with a very physical style. As this article shows, he was also one of the leagues biggest characters!  Thanks again Jim.

KAI HAASKIVI, 1979

NASL REPLICA KITS AT SEARS! 1980

KENNY COOPER, DALLAS TORNADO

JOHAN CRUYFF, 1979

SOCCER DIGEST, AUGUST, 1981

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.