North American Soccer League (1980-1981) Born: September 1980 The Memphis Rogues relocate to Calgary Folded: September 1981 First Game: November 19, 1980 (W 9-5 vs. Toronto Blizzard – indoor soccer) Last
Western Soccer Alliance (1986) Canadian Soccer League (1987-1990) Born: 1985 Folded: Postseason 1990 First Game: Last Game: Western Soccer Alliance Championships: None Canadian Soccer League Championships: None Clarke Stadium
The Rogues were Memphis’ first proper pro soccer team, playing three lackluster seasons at the Liberty Bowl from 1978 to 1980. The team was both more competitive and more popular playing a lone indoor season during the winter of 1979-80 at the Mid-South Coliseum. But the franchise moved to Calgary in 1980 before it could follow up on its promising indoor debut.
“They called me ‘The Undertaker’,” Rudi Schiffer, 75, told me by way of introduction. “Because I buried so many teams. When I walked in the door, people said ‘Uh-oh…we‘re done‘”.
The Detroit Express began life as an expansion team in the North American Soccer League in 1978. The Express, who played at the Pontiac Silverdome, swiftly gained international attention by acquiring English soccer star Trevor Francis on loan from Birmingham City. It was an era when NASL owners lured numerous aging European stars to America with eye-popping paychecks. Francis was an exception to this NASL retirement plan. He was only 25 years old and at the peak of his powers during his two Express seasons in 1978 and 1979. The NASL Express franchise moved to Washington D.C. after three seasons in early 1981. A new version of the Express immediately formed and joined the lower division American Soccer League, playing three more seasons from 1981 through 1983.
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