13 December 2006 - The Passing Of An American Pioneer

On 13 December 2006, American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt passed away in Dallas. He was 74 years old.

Heir to an oil fortune, Hunt was an enthusiastic supporter of both both soccer and American football. In 1959, after being turned down for a National Football League franchise, he helped found the rival American Football League and formed his own team, the Dallas Texans. He later moved the team to Kansas City, renaming them as the Chiefs, and they eventually joined the NFL when the two leagues merged in 1970. 

His interest in soccer was sparked by a 1962 trip to Ireland, where he took in a Shamrock Rovers match. Five years later, he helped establish the North American Soccer League and founded the Dallas Tornado, who went on to win the league title in 1971.

After the demise of the NASL, Hunt continued to promote the sport in the US. He was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Major League Soccer, which debuted in 1996 with two Hunt-owned teams, the Columbus Crew and the Kansas City Wizards. In 2003, he acquired a third team, FC Dallas and owned all three until his death.

He received several honors and awards over the course of his life, including induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1992 and the placement of his statute outside the Columbus Crew Stadium. In 1999, the U.S. Soccer Federation renamed the U.S. Open Cup in his honor. Now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, it is the country's longest-running soccer competition.

13 December 2006 - The Passing Of An American Pioneer

On 13 December 2006, American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt passed away in Dallas. He was 74 years old.

Heir to an oil fortune, Hunt was an enthusiastic supporter of both both soccer and American football. In 1959, after being turned down for a National Football League franchise, he helped found the rival American Football League and formed his own team, the Dallas Texans. He later moved the team to Kansas City, renaming them as the Chiefs, and they eventually joined the NFL when the two leagues merged in 1970. 

His interest in soccer was sparked by a 1962 trip to Ireland, where he took in a Shamrock Rovers match. Five years later, he helped establish the North American Soccer League and founded the Dallas Tornado, who went on to win the league title in 1971.

After the demise of the NASL, Hunt continued to promote the sport in the US. He was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Major League Soccer, which debuted in 1996 with two Hunt-owned teams, the Columbus Crew and the Kansas City Wizards. In 2003, he acquired a third team, FC Dallas and owned all three until his death.

He received several honors and awards over the course of his life, including induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1992 and the placement of his statute outside the Columbus Crew Stadium. In 1999, the U.S. Soccer Federation renamed the U.S. Open Cup in his honor. Now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, it is the country's longest-running soccer competition.

3 September 1973 - The SI Cover Jinx Strikes Again

On 3 September 1973, Philadelphia Atoms goalkeeper Bob Rigby became the first association football player to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

The cover celebrated Philadelphia's victory over the Dallas Tornados in the NASL championship game on August 25. The Atoms had joined the NASL as an expansion team earlier that year, making them the first American sports team to win a title in their first season. Rigby, who had been taken as the first pick in the 1973 draft by Atoms manager Al Miller, was an integral part of that success, setting an NASL record average of 0.62 goals allowed per game by a rookie keeper.

Philadelphia, who started six Americans, won the title match 2-0, with an own goal from Dallas defender John Best and a late header from Atoms back Bill Straub. After the win, Sports Illustrated put Rigby on the cover, with the declaration "Soccer Goes American." Inside, the magazine predicted continued successes based on American players, but the Atoms failed to qualify for the playoffs again and dissolved in 1976.

Rigby left the Atoms in 1976 for the Cosmos, starting a journey that would take him to seven other clubs before his retirement in 1985.

15 June 1975 - If He Can Make It There, He Can Make It Anywhere

On 15 June 1975, Pelé debuted for the New York Cosmos, scoring one goal and assisting another in a 2-2 draw with the Dallas Tornado.

The Brazilian superstar had just retired from Santos the previous year, ending his 19-year official tenure with the club that had been his only professional home (though he continued to play for them on an occasional basis). The move opened the door for the Cosmos, who had long been pursuing him in an attempt to raise interest in the eight-year old North American Soccer League, and finally tempted him with a three-year deal worth $2.8 million.

His debut came at New York's Randall Island ground, which was unprepared for the attention. When CBS announced that they would broadcast the game, the club spray-painted the dirt patches green so they would not show up on television. But Pelé delivered, scoring with an assist from Mordechai Shpigler, then returning the favor as Shpigler added a second to earn the 2-2 draw.

The Cosmos ended the season with a disappointing record of 10 wins and 12 losses and missed the playoffs, but eventually won the title (their second overall) in 1977, Pelé's last season.

13 December 2006 - The Passing Of An American Pioneer

On 13 December 2006, American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt passed away in Dallas. He was 74 years old.

Heir to an oil fortune, Hunt was an enthusiastic supporter of both both soccer and American football. In 1959, after being turned down for a National Football League franchise, he helped found the rival American Football League and formed his own team, the Dallas Texans. He later moved the team to Kansas City, renaming them as the Chiefs, and they eventually joined the NFL when the two leagues merged in 1970.

His interest in soccer was sparked by a 1962 trip to Ireland, where he took in a Shamrock Rovers match. Five years later, he helped establish the North American Soccer League and founded the Dallas Tornado, who went on to win the league title in 1971.

After the demise of the NASL, Hunt continued to promote the sport in the US. He was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Major League Soccer, which debuted in 1996 with two Hunt-owned teams, the Columbus Crew and the Kansas City Wizards. In 2003, he acquired a third team, FC Dallas and owned all three until his death.

He received several honors and awards over the course of his life, including induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1992 and the placement of his statute outside the Columbus Crew Stadium. In 1999, the U.S. Soccer Federation renamed the U.S. Open Cup in his honor. Now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, it is the country's longest-running soccer competition.

3 September 1973 - The SI Cover Jinx Strikes Again

On 3 September 1973, Philadelphia Atoms goalkeeper Bob Rigby became the first football player to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

The cover celebrated Philadelphia's victory over the Dallas Tornados in the NASL championship game on August 25. The Atoms had joined the NASL as an expansion team earlier that year, making them the first American sports team to win a title in their first season. Rigby, who had been taken as the first pick in the 1973 draft by Atoms manager Al Miller, was an integral part of that success, setting an NASL record average of 0.62 goals allowed per game by a rookie keeper.

Philadelphia, who started six Americans, won the title match 2-0, with an own goal from Dallas defender John Best and a late header from Atoms back Bill Straub. After the win, Sports Illustrated put Rigby on the cover, with the declaration "Soccer Goes American." Inside, the magazine predicted continued successes based on American players, but the Atoms failed to qualify for the playoffs again and dissolved in 1976.

Rigby left the Atoms in 1976 for the Cosmos, starting a journey that would take him to seven other clubs before his retirement in 1985.