1997 USISL A-League
The 1997 USISL A-League was an American Division II league run by the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues during the summer of 1997.
Overview
At the end of the 1996 A-League season, the U.S. second division A-League collapsed. Six of the seven teams in the A-League then joined the USISL which had three leagues in 1996, beginning with the third division USISL Select League.[1] With the collapse of the U.S. second division and the transfer of most of its teams to the USISL, the USISL reorganized its divisions to include the new teams. It moved most of the old second division USISL Select League, plus a few new teams, up to a second division level and merged the old A-League teams into this new U.S. second division which was renamed the USISL A-League.
Regular season
Northeast Division
Place | Team | GP | W | SW | SL | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Montreal Impact | 28 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 58 | 19 | +39 | 61 |
2 | Rochester Raging Rhinos | 28 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 56 | 47 | +9 | 42 |
3 | Long Island Rough Riders | 28 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 44 | 36 | +8 | 42 |
4 | Toronto Lynx | 28 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 44 | 43 | +1 | 38 |
5 | Connecticut Wolves | 28 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 31 | 45 | -14 | 28 |
6 | Worcester Wildfire | 28 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 26 | 61 | -35 | 19 |
Atlantic Division
Place | Team | GP | W | SW | SL | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hershey Wildcats | 28 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 56 | 33 | +23 | 55 |
2 | Carolina Dynamo | 28 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 63 | 33 | +30 | 50 |
3 | Richmond Kickers | 28 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 41 | 35 | +6 | 45 |
4 | Charleston Battery | 28 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 39 | 50 | -11 | 32 |
5 | Raleigh Flyers | 28 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 34 | 52 | -18 | 28 |
6 | Jacksonville Cyclones | 28 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 28 | 73 | -45 | 13 |
Central Division
Place | Team | GP | W | SW | SL | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers | 28 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 45 | 42 | +3 | 42 |
2 | Nashville Metros | 28 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 42 | 34 | +8 | 37 |
3 | Orlando Sundogs | 28 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 39 | 40 | -1 | 36 |
4 | Milwaukee Rampage | 28 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 33 | 36 | -3 | 36 |
5 | Minnesota Thunder | 28 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 30 | -8 | 35 |
6 | Atlanta Ruckus | 28 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 39 | 48 | -9 | 30 |
Pacific Division
Place | Team | GP | W | SW | SL | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | California Jaguars | 28 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 48 | 34 | +14 | 52 |
2 | Seattle Sounders | 28 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 42 | 19 | +33 | 50 |
3 | Vancouver 86ers | 28 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 50 | 29 | +21 | 46 |
4 | Colorado Foxes | 28 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 55 | 49 | +6 | 46 |
5 | Orange County Zodiac | 28 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 35 | 62 | -27 | 31 |
6 | El Paso Patriots | 28 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 30 | 50 | -20 | 18 |
Playoffs
Division Semi-finals
Northeast Semifinal 1
September 3, 1997 |
Rochester Raging Rhinos (NY) | 0-0 | Long Island Rough Riders (NY) |
---|---|---|
Penalties | ||
3 – 4 |
Frontier Field, Rochester, New York Attendance: 5,160 |
September 6, 1997 |
Long Island Rough Riders (NY) | 1-1 | Rochester Raging Rhinos (NY) |
---|---|---|
Carlos Ledesma ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() |
Penalties | ||
Travis Rinker ![]() Hector Wright ![]() Daniel Leon ![]() |
3 – 1 |
James M. Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, New York Attendance: 4,361 |
Northeast Semifinal 2
Toronto Lynx (ON) | 1-2 | Montreal Impact (QC) |
---|---|---|
Terry St. Louis ![]() Peyvand Mossavat ![]() Martin Dugas ![]() Franco Spadafina ![]() Paul Stalteri ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
September 7, 1997 |
Montreal Impact (QC) | 4-0 | Toronto Lynx (ON) |
---|---|---|
Darren Tilley ![]() Bill Sedgewick ![]() |
Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montreal Attendance: 4,138 |
Montreal advances to the Division final
Atlantic Semifinal 1
September 5, 1997 |
Richmond Kickers (VA) | 1-2 | Carolina Dynamo (NC) |
---|---|---|
Rob Ukrop ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Attendance: 1,362 |
September 6, 1997 |
Carolina Dynamo (NC) | 1-4 | Richmond Kickers (VA) |
---|---|---|
Keiran Breslin ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Attendance: 4,562 |
Atlantic Semifinal 2
Charleston Battery (CA) | 1-1 | Hershey Wildcats (PA) |
---|---|---|
Juan Castillo ![]() Michael Anhaeuser ![]() Patrick Olalere ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() |
Penalties | ||
1 – 3 |
Hershey Wildcats (PA) | 1-1 | Charleston Battery (CA) |
---|---|---|
Lee Tschantret ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() ![]() |
Penalties | ||
0 – 1 |
Central Semifinal 1
Orlando Sundogs (FL) | 1-2 | New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (LA) |
---|---|---|
Dylan Lewis ![]() ![]() Greg Brick ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() |
New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (LA) | 6-2 | Orlando Sundogs (FL) |
---|---|---|
Gabe Gentile ![]() Stern John ![]() Louie Smothermon ![]() Mickey Trotman ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() ![]() |
Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans Attendance: 653 |
Central Semifinal 2
September 4, 1997 |
Nashville Metros (TN) | 1-2 | Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
---|---|---|
Tim Geltz ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Attendance: 550 |
Pacific Semifinal 1
September 4, 1997 |
Colorado Foxes (CO) | 0-3 | Seattle Sounders (WA) |
---|---|---|
Rivers Guthrie ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
September 6, 1997 |
Seattle Sounders (WA) | 2-0 | Colorado Foxes (CO) |
---|---|---|
Henry Gutierrez ![]() Vicente Figueroa ![]() Vicente Figueroa ![]() Esmundo Rodriguez ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pacific Semifinal 2
September 5, 1997 |
Vancouver 86ers (BC) | 4-1 | California Jaguars (CA) |
---|---|---|
Domenic Mobilio ![]() ![]() Steve Kindel ![]() |
![]() |
Attendance: 2,716 |
September 7, 1997 |
California Jaguars (CA) | 2-2 | Vancouver 86ers (BC) |
---|---|---|
Mark Baena ![]() Rick Iversen ![]() |
![]() ![]() | |
Penalties | ||
1 – 2 |
Attendance: 1,859 |
Division Finals
Northeast Division final
September 12, 1997 |
Long Island Rough Riders (NY) | 2-2 | Montreal Impact (QC) |
---|---|---|
Hector Wright ![]() Flavio Ferri ![]() |
![]() |
James M. Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, New York Attendance: 3,585 |
September 14, 1997 |
Montreal Impact (QC) | 2-0 | Long Island Rough Riders (NY) |
---|---|---|
Mauro Biello ![]() Lyndon Hooper ![]() |
Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montreal Attendance: 6,679 |
September 14, 1997 |
Montreal Impact (QC) | 0-0 | Long Island Rough Riders (NY) |
---|---|---|
Penalties | ||
1 – 4 |
Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montreal Attendance: 6,679 |
Atlantic Division final
September 12, 1997 |
Charleston Battery (SC) | 3-3 | Carolina Dynamo (NC) |
---|---|---|
Todd Miller ![]() Juan Castillo ![]() Alvin Boisson ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Penalties | ||
4 – 3 |
Stoney Field, Charleston, South Carolina Attendance: 1,422 |
September 14, 1997 |
Carolina Dynamo (NC) | 2-1 | Charleston Battery (SC) |
---|---|---|
Maher Atta ![]() Yari Allnutt ![]() |
![]() |
Attendance: 1,506 |
September 14, 1997 |
Carolina Dynamo (NC) | 1-0 | Charleston Battery (SC) |
---|---|---|
Ed Radwanski ![]() |
Attendance: 1,506 |
Central Division final
September 12, 1997 |
Milwaukee Rampage (WI) | 2-1 (OT) | New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (LA) |
---|---|---|
Nick Igel ![]() |
![]() |
Attendance: 2,818 |
September 14, 1997 |
New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (LA) | 3-4 | Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
---|---|---|
Stern John ![]() Gabe Jones ![]() Mickey Trotman ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Attendance: 898 |
Pacific Division final
September 12, 1997 |
Vancouver 86ers (BC) | 3-0 | Seattle Sounders (WA) |
---|---|---|
Craig Dalrymple ![]() Domenic Mobilio ![]() Nico Berg ![]() Chris Clarke ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
September 14, 1997 |
September 14, 1997 |
Conference finals
Eastern Conference
September 19, 1997 |
Long Island Rough Riders (NY) | 1-2 | Carolina Dynamo (NC) |
---|---|---|
Laurence Piturro ![]() |
![]() |
Hofstra Stadium Hempstead, New York Attendance: 1,044 |
Carolina Dynamo (NC) | 2-0 | Long Island Rough Riders (NY) |
---|---|---|
Brian Loftin ![]() Laurence Piturro ![]() |
A.J. Simeon Stadium High Point, North Carolina Attendance: 2,105 |
The Carolina Dynamo advance.
Western Conference
September 19, 1997 |
Milwaukee Rampage (WI) | 3-1 | Vancouver 86ers (BC) |
---|---|---|
Dan Stebbins ![]() |
![]() |
Uihlein Soccer Park Milwaukee Attendance: 2,888 |
September 21, 1997 5:00 PM |
Vancouver 86ers (BC) | 1-0 | Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
---|---|---|
Domenic Mobilio ![]() |
Swangard Stadium Vancouver Attendance: 4,323 |
September 21, 1997 7:00 PM |
Vancouver 86ers (BC) | 0-0 | Milwaukee Rampage (WI) |
---|---|---|
Penalties | ||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
0 – 3 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Milwaukee Rampage advance, winning two out of three games.
Final
September 27, 1997 8:30 PM |
Milwaukee Rampage (WI) | 1-1 (a.e.t.) | Carolina Dynamo (NC) |
---|---|---|
Dan Stebbins ![]() |
(Report) | ![]() |
Penalties | ||
Jon Szczepanski ![]() Dan Stebbins ![]() Nick Igel ![]() |
3 – 0 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Uihlein Soccer Park Milwaukee Attendance: 6,381 |
MVP: Carmine Isacco, Milwaukee Rampage
Points leaders
Rank | Scorer | Club | Goals | Assists | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Doug Miller | Rochester Rhinos | 23 | 5 | 51 |
2 | Mark Baena | California Jaguars | 20 | 4 | 44 |
3 | Stern John | New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers | 16 | 5 | 37 |
4 | Steve Patterson | Colorado Foxes | 16 | 3 | 35 |
5 | Jamel Mitchell | Nashville Metros | 17 | 0 | 34 |
Jimmy Glenn | Rochester Rhinos | 13 | 8 | 34 | |
7 | Yari Allnutt | Carolina Dynamo | 12 | 9 | 33 |
Domenic Mobilio | Vancouver 86ers | 14 | 5 | 33 | |
Darren Tilley | Montreal Impact | 13 | 7 | 33 | |
Gustavo Leal | Orange County Zodiac | 16 | 1 | 33 | |
11 | Sebastian Barnes | Orlando Sundogs | 14 | 3 | 31 |
12 | Garret Kusch | Vancouver 86ers | 10 | 10 | 30 |
13 | Mike Gailey | Seattle Sounders | 10 | 7 | 27 |
Rob Ukrop | Richmond Kickers | 12 | 3 | 27 |
Honors
- MVP: Doug Miller
- Leading goal scorer: Doug Miller
- Leading goalkeeper: Dusty Hudock
- Rookie of the Year: Stern John
- Coach of the Year: Bob Lilley
- First Team All League
- Goalkeeper: Dusty Hudock
- Defenders: John Limniatis, Scott Schweitzer, Mark Watson, Travis Rinker
- Midfielders: Yari Allnutt, Mauro Biello, Garret Kusch
- Forwards: Mark Baena, Doug Miller, Stern John
- Second Team All League
- Goalkeeper: Paolo Ceccarelli
- Defenders: Don Gramenz, Robert Rosario, Bill Sedgewick, Dian Anguelov
- Midfielders: John Smith, Nick DeSantis, Domenic Mobilio
- Forwards: Steve Patterson, Darren Tilley, Mike Gailey