Word: nasl
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Dates: during 1976-1976
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...darkness beyond the leaning fence, out of range of catcalls muffled by the steel and concrete grandstand, 22 faceless figures played out the last act of a melodrama which had long since climaxed and was now crawling along to a predictable finale. This was a North American Soccer League (NASL) professional soccer game between the Boston Minutemen and the Miami Toros, two last-place clubs. Although 200 spectators looked on, the press had shown mercy and stayed away...
Three months before, the Minutemen had been predicting a third consecutive NASL Northern Division title, and were laying plans to make Harvard Stadium their new home in anticipation of larger crowds. In 1974, average attendance had reached 10,000 and the following season, 20,000 fans had squeezed and jostled to see Pele and the New York Cosmos play...
Starting next Saturday, the Boston Minutemen bring NASL soccer to Harvard stadium where they will play eight games. (Student tickets cost $2.50.) They open their quest for a third straight Northern Division title against the Toronto Metros, who battled Boston to the wire in last season's stretch drive. Boston plans to use more American players this year, including third-year goalie, Harvard alumnus Shep Messing...
Messing had the lowest goals against average in the NASL last year and is one of the top Americans in the league. He makes a triumphant return to Harvard, which he led to the NCAA semi-finals in 1972. "It's like a dream to me," says Messing. "When I was there, we always imagined what it would be like to play in the stadium...
Eusebio may not return this year, but there are some other world class players to watch. Mid-fielder Antonio Simoes, Eusebio's teammate on one of Europe's top teams, Benifica, is one of the top ball-handlers in the NASL. Some experts consider him to be one of the top five players in the world. Very few players will take the ball from...