Miami Toros
Full name | Miami Gatos / Miami Toros | ||
---|---|---|---|
Founded | (PreviouslyWashington Darts) 1972 Miami Gatos 1973 Miami Toros | ||
Dissolved | 1976 (rebrandedFort Lauderdale Strikers) | ||
Stadium | Miami-Dade North Stadium(1972), Miami Orange Bowl(1973–1975),Tamiami Field(1974, 1976) Miami, Florida | ||
Chairman | John Bilotta (1972–1973) Joe Robbie(1973–1976) | ||
League | NASL | ||
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TheMiami Toroswere a professionalsoccerteam in theNorth American Soccer Leaguefrom 1972 to 1976. The club was founded in 1967 as theWashington Darts,and moved to Miami, where they played the 1972 season in the NASL's Southern Division as the Miami Gatos. In 1973, the club rebranded as the Miami Toros. Their home field was at times theMiami Orange Bowl,Tamiami FieldandMiami Dade College's North Campus Stadium.[1][2]
After the 1976 season, the team moved toFort Lauderdaleand became known as theFort Lauderdale Strikersand later moved toMinnesotaand became known as theMinnesota Strikers.[3]
Prominent players included 1973 league MVPWarren Archibaldwho was fromPoint Fortin,the smallest borough inTrinidad and Tobago,and 1975 league MVP Juan Carlos Moramarco who was fromRosario,Argentina.
Beginning in 1975, the Toros had arivalrywith theTampa Bay Rowdiesthat grew even fiercer after the Toros moved to Ft. Lauderdale and became the Strikers.[4][5][6][unreliable source?]
Year-by-year
[edit]Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Reg. season | Playoffs | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1972 | NASL | 3 | 8 | 3 | 44 | 4th, Southern Division | did not qualify | 2,112 |
1973 | NASL | 8 | 5 | 6 | 88 | 3rd, Eastern Division | did not qualify | 5,479 |
1974 | NASL | 9 | 5 | 6 | 107 | 1st, Eastern Division | Won Semifinal (Dallas) Lost Championship (Los Angeles Aztecs) |
7,340 |
1975 | NASL indoor | 2 | 0 | — | 4 | 2nd, Region 3 | did not qualify | N/A |
1975 | NASL | 14 | 8 | — | 123 | 2nd, Eastern Division | Won Quarterfinal (Boston) Lost Semifinal (Tampa Bay) |
4,921 |
1976 | NASL indoor | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 3rd, Eastern Regional | did not qualify | N/A |
1976 | NASL | 6 | 18 | — | 63 | 4th, Atlantic Conference, Eastern Division | did not qualify | 3,070 |
Honors
[edit]NASL championships[7][unreliable source?]
Division titles
League MVP
League scoring champion
League goal scoring champion
Coach of the Year
|
All-Star first team selections
All-Star second team selections
All-Star honorable mentions
U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame
|
Head coaches
[edit]- Sal DeRosa(1972)
- John Young (1973–1974)[8]
- Dr. Greg Myers (1975–1976)[5]
- Ken Furphy(1976)
Owners/GMs
[edit]- Garo Yepremian(1972)[1]
- John Bilotta(1971–72)
- Joe Robbie(1973–76)
- Angel Lorie, Jr.(Managing Partner) (1972–75)
- Elizabeth Robbie(Managing Partner) (1976)
References
[edit]- ^abEd, Uncle (October 13, 2010)."Football in Miami and Beyond: Ft Lauderdale Strikers History: PART II: PRO SOCCER COMES TO MIAMI".Football in Miami and Beyond.RetrievedOctober 15,2016.
- ^Blankenship, Ken (July 2, 1976)."Rowdies try Toros".St. Petersburg Times.p. 3C.RetrievedOctober 15,2016– via Google News Archive.
- ^"Fort Lauderdale Strikers Home Page".Archived fromthe originalon June 4, 2011.RetrievedMay 20,2011.
- ^Gurney, Jack (June 11, 1975)."Round Two: Rowdies Vs. Toros In 'Blood' Match".Sarasota Herald-Tribune.p. C1.RetrievedOctober 15,2016– via Google News Archive.
- ^abBlankenship, Ken (July 26, 1976)."Toros facing changes".St. Petersburg Times.p. 4C.RetrievedOctober 15,2016– via Google News Archive.
- ^"Rowdies Press Photos – 1975 Rowdies vs. Toros Brawl".Tampa Bay Rowdies Appreciation Blog.May 28, 2013.RetrievedOctober 15,2016.
- ^"NASL (North American Soccer League)".May 1, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon May 1, 2008.RetrievedNovember 1,2017.
- ^"John Young:: thefinalball.com".www.thefinalball.com.RetrievedOctober 15,2016.
External links
[edit]- Miami Toros
- North American Soccer League (1968–1984) teams
- Soccer clubs in Miami
- Soccer clubs in Florida
- Defunct soccer clubs in Florida
- Defunct indoor soccer clubs in the United States
- 1972 establishments in Florida
- 1976 disestablishments in Florida
- Association football clubs established in 1972
- Association football clubs disestablished in 1976