Philadelphia Spartans
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| Full name | Philadelphia Spartans | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Spartans | ||
| Founded | 1967 | ||
| Dissolved | 1968 | ||
| Stadium | Temple Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 34,200 | ||
| Owner | Art Rooney | ||
| League | National Professional Soccer League | ||
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The Philadelphia Spartans were a soccer team based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that played in the non-FIFA sanctioned National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). They played their only season of existence at Temple Stadium in North Philadelphia. The team was owned by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney. The team colors were maroon and gold.
Following the 1967 season, the NPSL merged with the United Soccer Association to form the North American Soccer League. After requests to the new merged league for a year's hiatus was rejected, the Spartans folded before the 1968 NASL season, incurring losses of $500,000.[1][2] Many Spartans players—including 1967 NPSL Most Valuable Player, Ruben Navarro, John Best, and Peter Short—were signed by the Cleveland Stokers for the 1968 NASL season.
Year-by-year
| Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Reg. Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | NPSL | 14 | 9 | 9 | 157 | 2nd, Eastern Division | Did not qualify |
ASL
The second Philadelphia Spartans was an American soccer club based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was a member of the American Soccer League.
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 2 | ASL | 2nd, Southern | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
| 1970 | 2 | ASL | 2nd | No playoff | Did not enter |
| 1971 | 2 | ASL | 3rd | No playoff | Did not enter |
| 1972 | 2 | ASL | 1st, Southern | Conference Finals | Did not enter |
See also
References
- ↑ "Philadelphia Leaves Scene". The Vancouver Sun. The Associated Press. January 6, 1968. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
- ↑ "Spartans Quit Pro Boot Loop". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 8, 1968. Retrieved October 3, 2012.