World Indoor Soccer League
 | |
| Founded | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Folded | merged with MISL in 2001 |
| Country | United States Mexico |
| Number of teams | 9 |
| Last champions | Dallas Sidekicks |
The World Indoor Soccer League (WISL) was a United States–based indoor soccer league that operated from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.
History
[edit]After the demise of the Continental Indoor Soccer League, four of its teams decided to create a new indoor league to be called the Premier Soccer Alliance in 1998. The teams complemented their schedules with games against international teams. In 1999, two more former CISL teams (the Houston Hotshots and Monterrey La Raza) joined the league, which then changed its name to World Indoor Soccer League.
The World Indoor Soccer League (WISL) was formed through a merger between the US-based Premier Soccer Alliance and an English Indoor Football League, resulting in a name change from the original Premier Soccer League Alliance in 1999. Initially, plans included a European Division with teams like London United and Manchester Magic, but this concept was scrapped due to conflicting rules and lack of approval from The Football Association.
In 2000, the World Indoor Soccer League (WISL) considered a groundbreaking move, attempting to become the first U.S. professional sports league to sell its naming rights. The proposed deal would have resulted in a rebranded league, potentially named "The Pepsi World Indoor Soccer League." However, the effort ultimately did not come to fruition.[1]
The WISL folded in December 2001 when Dallas, St. Louis, and San Diego agreed to join the MISL while the remaining teams, the Utah Freezz, the Sacramento Knights and the Houston Hotshots folded.
Champions
[edit]Season by Season
[edit]| Season | Champion | Score / series | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Dallas Sidekicks | 6 to 2 | Sacramento Knights |
| 1999 | Sacramento Knights | 7 to 6 | Dallas Sidekicks |
| 2000 | Monterrey La Raza | 6 to 5 (SO 3-1) | Dallas Sidekicks |
| 2001 | Dallas Sidekicks | 2-1 | San Diego Sockers |
By Team
[edit]| Team | Championships | Runner Up | Champions | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Sidekicks | 2 | 2 | 1998, 2001 | 1999, 2000 |
| Sacramento Knights | 1 | 1 | 1999 | 1998 |
| Monterrey La Raza | 1 | 0 | 2000 | |
| San Diego Sockers | 0 | 1 | 2001 |
Annual awards
[edit]Most Valuable Player
[edit]- 1998 – Tatu, Dallas
- 1999 – David Doyle, Dallas
- 2000 – Mariano Bollella, Monterrey
- 2001 – Ato Leone, Sacramento
Goalkeeper of the Year
[edit]- 1998 – Dan Madsen, Sacramento
- 1999 – Brett Phillips, Portland
- 2000 – Sagu (Edilson Xavier), Dallas
- 2001 – Sagu (Edilson Xavier), Dallas
Coach of the Year
[edit]- 1998 – Tatu, Dallas
- 1999 – Iain Fraser, Sacramento
- 2000 – Jeff Betts, Utah
- 2001 – Iain Fraser, Sacramento
Rookie of the Year
[edit]- 1998 – Jorge Fernandez, Sacramento
- 1999 – Justin Labrum, Utah
- 2000 – Clint Regier, Houston
- 2001 – David Beltran, San Diego
Defender of the Year
[edit]- 1998 – Rusty Troy, Dallas
- 1999 – Iain Fraser, Sacramento
- 2000 – Rob Baarts, Utah
- 2001 – Iain Fraser, Sacramento
Presidents
[edit]Gordon Jago 1998–2001
Teams
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Cawley, Rusty (May 12, 2000). "Soccer league to sell naming rights". Dallas Business Journal. Retrieved July 26, 2008.