The NASL began its 13th season with a look of increasing stability. For the first time, there were no franchise shifts. League attendance was at an all-time high, close to 15,000 per game, and its popularity was reflected in increasing participation in youth and amateur soccer. Colleges were adding soccer at a growing rate, and it was expected that eventually the increasing domestic talent base would soon make its influence felt within the league.
As usual, well known players came and went. Rodney Marsh retired, as did Werner Roth after eight seasons. The Cosmos signed two time World Cup star Oscar from Brazil, although his tempestuous career in the States lasted for but three games. Two Dutch veterans of World Cups 1974 and 1978 made the trip to the continent. Midfielder Wim Jansen was signed by the Washington Diplomats, and Rudi Kohl was signed by the Vancouver Whitecaps in a major coup. Kohl was still in the prime of his career and would eventually play in World Cup 1982 as well. Only 31, he already had 83 caps under his belt. Unfortunately, his career in the NASL would only span 14 games. A fellow Dutchmen, with 46 caps was Rob Rensenbrink, who was signed by the Portland Timbers to man the left wing. Meanwhile, Johan Cruyff moved from Los Angeles to Washington, and Scottish international Peter Lorimer was signed by the Toronto Blizzard.
In the past, the NASL was criticized for mainly importing over-the-hill stars, but this year they also signed a number of younger people who would later have significant careers. These included the 20 year old Julio Cesar Romero of Paraguay, a high scoring midfielder, who put in three brilliant years with the Cosmos, and played until 1995, becoming one of the best players in Paraguayan history, and starring on their 1986 World Cup team. His World Cup teammate, Roberto Cabanas also was signed by the Cosmos, and would remain with them until the league's demise. Mexican striker Hugo Sanchez made his NASL debut this season; after 1981, he went on to a successful career with Real Madrid, and finished his career with the fledgling Major League Soccer in 1996.
Interestingly enough, the new arrivals did not have as big an impact on the league as had earlier crops of recruits. This could partly be due to the large number of stars already established with the league. Some lesser known individuals were beginning to establish themselves. Giorgio Chinaglia returned to form this season, leading the league in scoring with 32 goals and 77 points. Some other top scorers, such as Roger Davies of Seattle and Laurie Abrahams of California did not have a world class international pedigree, and their accomplishments showed that in the NASL, at least, there are multiple roads to success.
The league made no rule changes this season; they retained the 35 yard offside line, sudden death overtime and the shootout tie breaker, bonus points and 6-0+3 scoring system, to the confusion of the rest of the world. Purists continued to grumble over the league's "innovations", but for now, the league appeared not to care.
As in the past two seasons, the Cosmos, with their all-star lineup, continued to dominate the regular season, easily winning the National East division with a 24-8 record. They scored 87 goals, nearly breaking their league record. In the Central Division, Minnesota's dominance was ended, as the venerable Dallas Tornado won the division. They had obviously mastered the art of strategic scoring; despite an 18-14 record in the relatively soft division, they allowed 58 goals for the 57 they scored. In the National West, the Seattle Sounders had their finest hour, leading the league at 25-7, beating the resurgent Los Angeles Aztecs for the title. Vancouver had slipped to .500, despite retaining a strong roster. One positive note for the Whitecaps was the continuing development of Carl Valentine, their young striker who would go on to be a mainstay in Vancouver through the 1990's, first staring for the Vancouver 86ers in the Canadian Soccer League from 1987-1992, and then moving with the team to the American Professional Soccer League, where he would remain as player-coach until 1998.
As usual, well known players came and went. Rodney Marsh retired, as did Werner Roth after eight seasons. The Cosmos signed two time World Cup star Oscar from Brazil, although his tempestuous career in the States lasted for but three games. Two Dutch veterans of World Cups 1974 and 1978 made the trip to the continent. Midfielder Wim Jansen was signed by the Washington Diplomats, and Rudi Kohl was signed by the Vancouver Whitecaps in a major coup. Kohl was still in the prime of his career and would eventually play in World Cup 1982 as well. Only 31, he already had 83 caps under his belt. Unfortunately, his career in the NASL would only span 14 games. A fellow Dutchmen, with 46 caps was Rob Rensenbrink, who was signed by the Portland Timbers to man the left wing. Meanwhile, Johan Cruyff moved from Los Angeles to Washington, and Scottish international Peter Lorimer was signed by the Toronto Blizzard.
In the past, the NASL was criticized for mainly importing over-the-hill stars, but this year they also signed a number of younger people who would later have significant careers. These included the 20 year old Julio Cesar Romero of Paraguay, a high scoring midfielder, who put in three brilliant years with the Cosmos, and played until 1995, becoming one of the best players in Paraguayan history, and starring on their 1986 World Cup team. His World Cup teammate, Roberto Cabanas also was signed by the Cosmos, and would remain with them until the league's demise. Mexican striker Hugo Sanchez made his NASL debut this season; after 1981, he went on to a successful career with Real Madrid, and finished his career with the fledgling Major League Soccer in 1996.
Interestingly enough, the new arrivals did not have as big an impact on the league as had earlier crops of recruits. This could partly be due to the large number of stars already established with the league. Some lesser known individuals were beginning to establish themselves. Giorgio Chinaglia returned to form this season, leading the league in scoring with 32 goals and 77 points. Some other top scorers, such as Roger Davies of Seattle and Laurie Abrahams of California did not have a world class international pedigree, and their accomplishments showed that in the NASL, at least, there are multiple roads to success.
The league made no rule changes this season; they retained the 35 yard offside line, sudden death overtime and the shootout tie breaker, bonus points and 6-0+3 scoring system, to the confusion of the rest of the world. Purists continued to grumble over the league's "innovations", but for now, the league appeared not to care.
As in the past two seasons, the Cosmos, with their all-star lineup, continued to dominate the regular season, easily winning the National East division with a 24-8 record. They scored 87 goals, nearly breaking their league record. In the Central Division, Minnesota's dominance was ended, as the venerable Dallas Tornado won the division. They had obviously mastered the art of strategic scoring; despite an 18-14 record in the relatively soft division, they allowed 58 goals for the 57 they scored. In the National West, the Seattle Sounders had their finest hour, leading the league at 25-7, beating the resurgent Los Angeles Aztecs for the title. Vancouver had slipped to .500, despite retaining a strong roster. One positive note for the Whitecaps was the continuing development of Carl Valentine, their young striker who would go on to be a mainstay in Vancouver through the 1990's, first staring for the Vancouver 86ers in the Canadian Soccer League from 1987-1992, and then moving with the team to the American Professional Soccer League, where he would remain as player-coach until 1998.