1977 North American Soccer League playoffs explained

See main article: article and 1977 North American Soccer League season.

The 1977 North American Soccer League playoffs began on August 10 and ended on August 28 with Soccer Bowl '77 at Civic Stadium in Portland, Oregon. 12 out of 18 teams qualified after a 26-match regular season, six from each conference.

Playoff format

The top three teams in each division would quality for the playoffs, similar to the 1976 playoffs.^[1] The first round and the Soccer Bowl were single games, but the division championships and conference championships were two-game series. If teams were tied at one win apiece at the conclusion of Game 2, there would be a 30-minute sudden death mini-game and a shootout if necessary.^[2]

Playoff seeds

Atlantic Conference

Eastern Division

1. Fort Lauderdale Strikers – Eastern Division champions, 161 points
2. Cosmos – 140 points
3. Tampa Bay Rowdies – 131 points

Northern Division

1. Toronto Metros-Croatia – Northern Division champions, 111 points
2. St. Louis Stars – 104 points
3. Rochester Lancers – 99 points

Pacific Conference

Southern Division

1. Dallas Tornado – Southern Division champions, 161 points
2. Los Angeles Aztecs – 147 points
3. San Jose Earthquakes – 119 points

Western Division

1. Minnesota Kicks – Western Division champions, 137 points
2. Vancouver Whitecaps – 124 points
3. Seattle Sounders – 119 points

First round

Atlantic Conference

(N2) St. Louis Stars vs. (N3) Rochester Lancers

Pacific Conference

(W2) Vancouver Whitecaps vs. (W3) Seattle Sounders

Division Finals

Atlantic Conference

(E1) Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. (E2) Cosmos

Cosmos win series 2–0

(N1) Toronto Metros-Croatia vs. (N3) Rochester Lancers

Rochester wins series 2–0

Pacific Conference

(S1) Dallas Tornado vs. (S2) Los Angeles Aztecs

Los Angeles wins series 2–0

(W1) Minnesota Kicks vs. (W3) Seattle Sounders

Seattle wins series 2–0

Conference Finals

Atlantic Conference

(E2) Cosmos vs. (N3) Rochester Lancers

Cosmos win series 2–0

Pacific Conference

(S2) Los Angeles Aztecs vs. (W3) Seattle Sounders

Seattle wins series 2–0

Soccer Bowl '77

See main article: article and Soccer Bowl '77.

References

Book: Henderson . Jim . Volkswagen 1978 Pro Soccer Guide . Snibbe Publications . 1978 . Tampa, Florida.

Book: 1979 Official North American Soccer League Guide . North American Soccer League . 1979 . New York.

Book: Jose, Colin . NASL: A Complete Record of the North American Soccer League . Breedon Books . 1989 . Derby, England.

Book: Jose, Colin . North American Soccer League Encyclopedia . St. Johann Press . 2003 . Haworth, New Jersey.

External links

• The Year in American Soccer – 1977
• Chris Page's NASL Archive
• Complete NASL Results and Standings

Notes and References

1. News: NASL Makes Changes In Schedule, Playoff . October 15, 1976. Evening Independent. 5-C . 2015-04-08.
2. News: Saunders . Jack . Some NASL Playoff Victories Worth More . August 17, 1977. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 5C . 2015-04-08.