Soccer Americana: February 2019

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

1982 Portland Timbers pinback buttons

1982 Portland Timbers photo finback button. Each button measures 2.25", with a clasp pin. The pins were compliments of Smith's Home Furnishing. Each pin had a small sticker from Smith's on the reverse

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Soccer Ball in Space

Soccer ball in space photographed by Shane Kimbrough

When Ellison Onizuka prepared for his second space flight aboard the Challenger STS-51L, he asked his daughter to recommend something to bring with him. Each astronaut is allowed a small personal package to bring into space. His daughter was playing soccer at Clear Lake High School, Houston, Tx and recommended a soccer ball signed by the team. Onizuka packed the ball into his personal belongings bag.

After the Challenger accident, Jan 28, 1986, the bag of personal belongings was recovered and returned to the Onizuka family. The ball was returned to the high school, placed on display and given little thought over the years.

Shane Kimbrough was preparing for his mission Expedition 49/50, in 2016, he went to current Clear Lake High School principal Karen Engle offering to carry a school moment into space. Kimbrough's son was attending the school at the time.

Principle Engle immediately offered the Onizuka soccer ball, which Kimbrough readily accepted. The ball finally reached it's destination in space aboard the International Space Station

"I'm honored to be a part of bringing this small piece of Challenger's legacy to the International Space Station," Kimbrough said. "Remembering the Challenger crew is important to all of us in the astronaut corps, and all of us at NASA, and I hope that when the ball is returned to Clear Lake High School, it will be a reminder for generations to come."

The soccer ball returned from space and is one display at Clear Lake High School. ESPN aired a program as part of their E:60 series title "Bonds of Earth" telling the story of the space bound soccer ball.

Astronaut Ellison Onizuka

Astronaut Shane Kimbrough

NASA

ESPN

Saturday, February 16, 2019

NASL - Soccer Bowl pinback buttons

August 28, 1977 Civic Stadium, Portland, Ore

New York Cosmos defeat the Seattle Sounders 2-1

attendance 35, 548

August 27, 1978 Meadowlands, East rutherford, New Jersey

New York Cosmos defeat Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-1

attendance 74,091

September 8, 1979 Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Vancouver Whitecaps defeat Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1

attendance 50, 699

September 18, 1982 San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, Ca

New York Cosmos defeat Seattle Sounders 1-0

attendance 22,634

October 1, 1983 BP Place Stadium, Vancouver

Tulsa Roughnecks defeat Toronto Blizzard 2-0

attendance 53,326

The Soccer Bowl was the NASL Championship game, which adopted the term Soccer Bowl in 1975. The winner received the NASL Trophy, which became known as the Soccer Bowl Trophy

Superstar Showdown

pinback button commemorating the last meeting of 2 soccer superstars Pele (New York Cosmos) and Eusebio (Las Vegas Quicksilvers)

Eusebio, Portugal is considered one of the great footballers of all time. He scored 733 goals in 745 matches, from 1957- 1979. Eusebio played for the Portuguese National team, Benfica, Boston Minutemen (NASL), Las Vegas Quicksilvers (NASL), New Jersey Americans (ASL) and in Mexico

Pele, played for the Brazil National Team, Santos (Brazil) 1956-1974 and the New York Cosmos 1975-1977. All-time leading goal scorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Pinback buttons

Edmonton Drillers 1979-1982 NASL

Columbus Magic 1979-1980 ASL

Caribous of Colorado 1978 NASL

Houston Hurricanes 1978-1980 NASL

Las Vegas Americans 1984-1985 MISL

Dallas Tornados 1967 USA 1968-1981NASL

Wichita Wings 1979-1992 MISL, 1992-2001 NPSL

New York Cosmos 1971-1984 NASL

In 1977, the New York Cosmos developed a youth division, Soccer Camps of America. The camps included the Cosmos Soccer Camps, Pele Soccer Camps, Franz Beckenbaur Soccer Camps, Giorgio Chinalia Soccer Academy, Werner Roth Soccer Afari, Carlos Alberto Soccer Camps, with the participation of internationally known soccer superstars

NASL - North American Soccer League

MISL - Major Indoor Soccer League

NPSL - National Professional Soccer League

ASL - American Soccer League

USA - United Soccer Association

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Pinback buttons

Chicago Shoccers 1985-1987 AISA

L.A. Aztecs 1974-1981 NASL

Cincinnati Comets 1972-1975 ASL

Detroit Express 1978-1980 NASL

ASL 1981-1983

Cleveland Force 1978-1988 MISL

New Jersey Rockets 1981-1982 MISL

Oakland Clippers 1967-1968 NPSL

NASL - North American Soccer League
ASL - American Soccer League
MISL - Major Indoor Soccer League
AISA - American Indoor Soccer Association
NPSL - National Professional Soccer League