A Brief
History of Philadelphia Professional Soccer Before The Philadelphia Atoms
By Steve Holroyd
Philadelphia Soccer in the 1960s--Highs
and Lows
In
1957-58, Philadelphia was granted yet another franchise in the American Soccer
League. The Ukrainian Nationals made a splash immediately upon their arrival,
sitting at the top of the league table as late as April of 1958 before being
overtaken by New York Hakoah. The
"Ukes," as they were known, also had to finish in second for the
Lewis Cup, losing a two-game series to cross-town rivals Uhrik Truckers on a
4-3 aggregate. In spite of finishing
second in both league and cup play, the Ukes swept the post-season awards, with
Walter Kudenko being named MVP and coach Wassyl Borak earning the ASL Coach of
the Year award.
As
names like "Ukrainians" and "Hakoah" would indicate, the
ASL had devolved into a semi-pro, ethnic league. Long-time clubs like Brooklyn Wanderers, New
York Americans, and the 1940s Philadelphia clubs had been replaced with teams
named "Pompei," "Galicia," "Portuguese," and
"Italians."
Even
if little more than a social club team, the Ukrainian Nationals would dominate
U.S. soccer in the 1960s. In 1958-59,
the Ukes again had to settle for second in the league behind New York Hakoah, but
at least could take comfort in having won their first Lewis Cup. Goalkeeper Juri Kulishenko's outstanding play
earned him the ASL MVP Award.
Fittingly,
American soccer's team of the 1960s began its championship run in the 1959-60
season. Although again finishing as
league runner-up--this time to a new club, Columbo--the Ukes defeated the Los
Angeles Kickers 5-2 to win their first U.S. Open Cup title. Mike Noha scored all five goals for the Ukes
in one of the most impressive scoring feats in U.S. soccer history. Once again, the Ukes swept the ASL's
post-season honors, with Andy Racz being named league MVP and coach Walter
Medusha getting the club's second Coach of the Year award in three years. Also, Noha led the league in scoring, with 22
goals.
Picking up right where they
left off at the conclusion of the 1960 season, the Ukrainian Nationals
continued to cut a wide swath through United States professional soccer,
dominating both league and U.S. Open Cup play to earn the "double" in
1960-61. From the opening tap on October
2, 1960, the Ukes took firm control of the American Soccer League schedule,
jumping into first place and going wire-to-wire with the lead. En route to
their first-place finish, the Ukes went undefeated, with only two draws marring
a perfect season. While doing so, the Ukes stetched their two-year ASL unbeaten
string to 23 wins and 4 draws, a league record.
The Ukes dominated opponents
on both sides of the ball. Herman Niss (league leading goal scorer with 17
tallies), Ricardo Mangini, and league MVP Mike Noha contributed to the club's
league-leading sixty goals scored, while goalkeeper Al Didriksen anchored the
ASL's stingiest defense. Ironically, Philadelphia's other club, Uhrik Truckers,
had become the league doormats, finishing 1-12-1.
Besides overwhelming the
league competition, the Ukrainian Nationals also stormed their way to a second
consecutive U.S. Open Cup. Manager Marion Kozeniowski's lads continued a string
of dominance dating back to October of 1959, going unmolested though the early
rounds and storming their way to the Open Cup final. Against Los Angeles Scots,
the Ukes drew 2-2 out west, relying on two markers from Stan Dlugosh, before
returning home and trouncing L.A. 5-2 before 6,000 fans at LaSalle Stadium on
June 25. Herman Niss scored a hat-trick, while Dlugosh and Carl Yakovino added
one goal each.
The
1961-62 season saw the Ukes again with the ASL crown, finishing well ahead of
second-place Inter-Brooklyn Italians.
The Philadelphia would win two more ASL titles, winning four in a row
during that span. The Ukes also won the
title in 1968. Uke Ismael Fereyra led
the league in scoring in 1962-63 with 14 goals, and teammate Walter Chyzowych
led the circuit the following season with 15 goals. George Bertic led the ASL in scoring in
1966-67, scoring 24 goals for the Ukes.
The
Ukrainian Nationals continued to assert their dominance on the national level,
as well. The Ukes won the 1963 U.S. Open
Cup, edging Los Angeles Armenian 2-1.
The Ukes lost in the finals the next year, as Los Angeles Kickers
avenged their 1960 defeat. The Ukes
would win another Cup in 1966, blanking Orange County in two games.
Although
the Ukes won the 1968 ASL Championship, this 1966 U.S. Open Cup would really
prove to be the team's last hurrah.
Ironically, however, just as the Ukes were winding down, a new
professional soccer league arrived to try--yet again--to make the sport a major
one in the U.S.
The
1966 World Cup was a huge success, even in the U.S., were a tape-delayed
telecast of the final drew encouraging TV ratings. As a result, not one but two new leagues began play in 1967.
One, the National Professional Soccer League, included a team in the
Quaker City--the Philadelphia Spartans.
Playing
at Temple University Stadium, the Spartans were a veritable United Nations of
players. Former Uke Walt Chyzowych played
along side Brits Peter Short and John Best and Argentinian Ruben "The
Hatchet" Navarro. Amid much hype
and promise, the Spartans defeated Toronto 2-0 in their first match, with Short
scoring both goals before a home crowd of 14,163. The team only drew 4,815 to its next match,
however, and averaged a mere 5,261 over the course of its 16 matches.
The
Spartans were a very good club, however, and finished with a 14-9-9 record,
tied with Baltimore for first place in the Eastern Division. However, due to a controversial "bonus
points" system for goals scored, Baltimore was awarded first place and the
chance to play in the NPSL final.
Navarro--who
replaced coach John Szep during the season and assumed the dual role of
player/coach--was named by The Sporting
News the NPSL MVP. Fellow
Argentinian Orlando Garro led the team in scoring, with 11 goals. Goalkeeper Gernot Fraydl anchored the
league's second-best defense.
After
the season, the NPSL and its competitor, the United Soccer Association, merged
to form the North American Soccer League.
Philadelphia would not be a part of this league, however, as the owners
folded up the club after losing over $250,000.
Instead, the team joined the American Soccer League in 1969, after a
year off to recoup finances. Although
winning no titles, the team did provide the ASL with leading scorers Juan Paletta
(league leader in 1970 with 6 goals) and Charles Duccilli (11 goals in 1971).
By
the 1970s, however, it appeared that professional soccer in Philadelphia was a
thing of the past. 1970 saw the
Ukrainian Nationals win their sixth and last ASL title before folding up for
good. The Spartans competed until 1972,
advancing to the ASL semi-finals before being knocked out of the playoffs. In 1973, a new Philadelphia Ukrainians attempted to relive old glories, but folded
after one mediocre season.
Ironically, that same year saw the birth of a team who would not only revive the fortunes of Philadelphia soccer but also do much to save the professional sport in the United States--the PHILADELPHIA ATOMS.