Los Angeles Wolves

This article is about the Los Angeles Wolves that played in the United Soccer Association in 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. For the modern day team that plays in the United Premier Soccer League, see LA Wolves FC.
Los Angeles Wolves
Full name Los Angeles Wolves
Nickname(s) Wolves
Founded 1966
Dissolved 1968 (1968)
Stadium Los Angeles Coliseum
Rose Bowl
Chairman Jack Kent Cooke
Manager Ronnie Allen (1967)
Ray Wood (1968)
League USA (1967)
NASL (1968)

The Los Angeles Wolves were a United States professional soccer team that played for two seasons. In 1967 they played in the United Soccer Association, finishing as champions, and in 1968 they were founding members of the North American Soccer League.

United Soccer Association

In 1966 a group of United States and Canadian sports Entrepreneurs, led by Jack Kent Cooke, formed the United Soccer Association with the intention of organizing a professional soccer league. The USA originally intended to launch its league in the spring of 1968. However a rival league, the National Professional Soccer League, announced it was ready to launch in 1967. Not wanting to lose ground to its rival, the USA decided to fast track its launch. Without any players of its own, it opted to import whole teams from Europe and South America. It was intended that these teams would represent the franchises during the inaugural season, giving them time to build their own squads for the following season. Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had won promotion to the English First Division at the end of the 1966–67 season subsequently represented the Los Angeles franchise. Cooke had originally intended to call the team the Los Angeles Zorros, but when the agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers was made, it was decided to use their nickname of Wolves.

Wolves played in the Western Division alongside San Francisco Golden Gate Gales, Chicago Mustangs, Houston Stars, Vancouver Royal Canadians and Dallas Tornado. These teams were represented by ADO Den Haag, Cagliari Calcio, Bangu AC, Sunderland and Dundee United. Of the twelve teams in the league, Wolves with a team coached by Ronnie Allen and featuring Derek Dougan, emerged as one of the strongest sides. After winning the Western Division, a flip of a coin gave them the right to host the championship play-off game against the Eastern Division champions, Washington Whips, who were represented by Aberdeen. The match drew 17,824 to Los Angeles Coliseum. Wolves won the championship beating the Whips 6–5 after 36 minutes of extra-time. Four goals were scored within a 4-minute period midway through the second half and each team scored during extra time. The game was decided after Whips defender Ally Shewan scored an own goal.[1]

NASL

In December 1967 the USA merged with the National Professional Soccer League to form the North American Soccer League. As a result, Wolves became founding members of the new league. During the inaugural 1968 season Wolves played in the Pacific Division alongside the San Diego Toros, Oakland Clippers and Vancouver Royals. With a team coached by Ray Wood and featuring Carlos Metidieri, but no Wolverhampton Wanderers players, they failed to repeat the success of the previous season. After finishing third in their division, Wolves were one of several NASL franchises that folded after just one season. The idea of importing teams to represent franchises was revived during the 1969 North American Soccer League season and Wolverhampton Wanderers returned to the United States, this time representing Kansas City Spurs, and winning the NASL International Cup.

Year-by-year

Year League W L T Pts Reg. Season Playoffs Avg. Attendance
1967 USA 5 5 2 15 1st, Western Division Champions 7,777
1968 NASL 11 8 13 139 3rd, Pacific Division Did not qualify 2,441

Coaches

Players

Legacy

In 2014, the Wolves name was resurrected by a United Premier Soccer League team called the LA Wolves FC.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ United Press International (July 16, 1967). "Wolves capture U.S. soccer title". The New York Times. p. 152. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  2. ↑ http://www.nasljerseys.com/Rosters/Wolves_Rosters.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.lasoccernews.com/amateur/amateur2.php?article_id=12595
  4. ↑ http://www.lawolves.com/press/
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