Team America (NASL)

Team America
Full nameTeam America
Nickname(s)Team America
Founded1983
Dissolved1983
StadiumRFK Stadium,
Washington, D.C.
Capacity55,677
LeagueNorth American Soccer League
198310–20, Last Place

Team America was a professional version of the United States men's national soccer team which played as a franchise in the North American Soccer League (NASL) during the 1983 season. The team was based in Washington, D.C., played its home games at RFK Stadium, and was intended by the NASL and the United States Soccer Federation to build fan support for the league and create a cohesive and internationally competitive national team.[1] However, the team finished in last place and drew only 13,000 fans per game.

A "Team America" also played an unofficial exhibition game against England in 1976, to commemorate the bicentennial of American Independence. The players were drawn from North American Soccer League clubs and included Pelé and Bobby Moore. The match was played in Philadelphia and England won, 3–1.[2]

  1. ^ Cress, Doug (August 21, 1983). "Team America's Losses Gain Little Sympathy" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  2. ^ England Football Online (February 2008). "England's Unofficial Matches". Archived from the original on January 22, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2012.