Chicago Mustangs (1967–68)

This article is about the Chicago Mustangs team that played in the NASL. For the indoor soccer team, see Chicago Mustangs (2012–present).
Chicago Mustangs
Founded1967
Dissolved1968
StadiumComiskey Park
Capacity46,550 (1954-1972)
OwnerArthur Allyn, Jr.
PresidentJohn Allyn
LeagueUnited Soccer Association (1967)
North American Soccer League (1968)
19682nd, Lakes Division

The Chicago Mustangs were an American professional soccer team based out of Chicago, Illinois, and were a charter member of the United Soccer Association (USA) in 1967. When the USA and rival National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) merged in 1968 to form the North American Soccer League (NASL), the team moved to the new league. The Mustangs played its home matches at Comiskey Park. The team folded at the conclusion of the 1968 NASL season.

History

In 1966 several groups of entrepreneurs were exploring the idea of forming a professional soccer league in United States. One of these groups, United Soccer Association (USA) led by Jack Kent Cooke, selected 12 cities for team locations and Arthur Allyn Jr.,[1] co-owner with his brother of the Chicago White Sox, was awarded the Chicago franchise. Stu Holcomb, athletic director at Northwestern University, was hired to act as the team's general manager.[2] The USA originally planned to start play in the spring of 1968; however the rival National Professional Soccer League, which secured a TV contract from CBS, announced it was ready to launch in 1967. Not wanting to let the rival league gain an advantage, the USA decided to launch early. Not having secured any player contracts, the league imported teams from Europe, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay to represent the franchise cities. Italian team Cagliari Calcio was brought over to play as the Mustangs.[3][4]

The Mustangs opened the season on May 27, 1967, in Chicago at Comiskey Park with a 1-0 loss to the Dallas Tornado with 5,872 fan in attendance.[5] [6] The Mustangs finished the 1967 season in third place of the Western Division with a record of 3 wins 7 ties and 2 loses and an average attendance of 4,207.[7]

With the merger of the United Soccer Association and the National Professional Soccer League it was announced that Chicago would be one of the 20-teams in play in the North American Soccer League (NASL).[8][a] The Mustangs finished the 1968 NASL season in second place of the Lakes Division with a record of 13 wins 9 ties and 10 loses and an average attendance of 2,463.[7] By January 1969, ten of the NASL's 17 franchises had folded and the Mustangs dropped down to the semi-professional National Soccer League[9] and eventually folded.[10]

Year-by-year

Year League W L T Pts Regular season Playoffs Avg. attendance
1967 USA 3 2 7 13 3rd, Western Division Did not qualify 4,207
1968 NASL 13 10 9 164 2nd, Lakes Division 2,463

Notes

  1. ^ 17 teams contested the 1968 NASL season with three teams folding before the season began

References

  1. ^ "Soccer and Baseball Share Local Limelight". Sarasota Journal. June 13, 1967. p. 14. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  2. ^ "Chicao Soccer Club Gets Stu Holcomb". St. Petersburg Times. August 12, 1966. p. 31. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  3. ^ Seese, D.J. (2015). The Rebirth of Professional Soccer in America: The Strange Days of the United Soccer Association. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781442238954.
  4. ^ Hannigan, Dave (May 31, 2017). "Summer of soccer: when Shamrock Rovers conquered America". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  5. ^ "Cougars Open With Tie". The Owosso Argus-Press. May 27, 1967. p. 13. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Veeck, Mike (2014). Old Comiskey Park: Essays and Memories of the Historic Home of the Chicago White Sox, 1910-1991. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 131. ISBN 9780786475926.
  7. ^ a b "North American Soccer League". RSSSF. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "Differences Settled, Soccer Leagues Merge". The Phoenix. December 14, 1967. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  9. ^ Tossell, David (2012). Playing for Uncle Sam: The Brits' Story of the North American Soccer League. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 9781780574721.
  10. ^ Lassila, Alan (February 14, 1977). "Forgeur Joins Strikers". Sarasota Journal. p. C1. Retrieved December 10, 2021.