Pittsburgh Spirit

Pittsburgh Spirit were an indoor soccer team based in Pittsburgh and were one of the original six teams that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). The Spirit were founded in 1978, suspended operation for the 1980–81 season, then returned to the MISL until owner DeBartolo folded the team on April 11, 1986.[1] The seven seasons of play in Pittsburgh the Spirit average attendance for the regular season was 6,351.

Pittsburgh Spirit
Full namePittsburgh Spirit
Nickname(s)Spirit
Founded1978
Dissolved1986
GroundCivic Arena
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Capacity16,940
Owner Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. (1981–86)
LeagueMajor Indoor Soccer League

1981–82

The Pittsburgh Spirit were reinstated into the MISL after suspending operations during for the 1980–81 season. Stan Terlecki led the team with 74 goals, second in the MISL to Steve Zungul's (New York Arrows) 103 goals. Both Terlecki and Zungul were named MISL regular season MVP. Goaltender Krys Sobieski had the third-lowest goals-against average with a 4.20 GAA.

The Spirit would face the third-place Baltimore Blast in the playoffs. The Spirit won the first game of the playoffs 3–1 but lost the second game 6–5 in overtime. The Spirit lost the third game of the series 4–2, which eliminated the Spirit from post-season play.[2]

1982–83

The Spirit did not repeat the success of their previous season and played .500 soccer for the 1982–83 season (24–24–0). Stan Terlecki once again led the Spirit in goals (65) and points (105), and forward Paul Child finished in the top 25 in points (68). Krys Sobieski played sub-.500 goal, going 19–20 and watched his GAA fall to 4.88. The Spirit did not qualify for the playoffs during this season.[3]

1983–84

The Spirit would have their best season in 1983–84, going 32–16 despite losing two-time leading scorer Terlecki to the Golden Bay Earthquakes. The Spirit's attendance would peak during this season, drawing 8,000 fans. By comparison, the Pittsburgh Penguins averaged around 6,000 during the same season. Zeee Kapka would lead the Spirit with 66 points and former first round draft pick Joe Papaleo led the Spirit with a 16–8 record with a 4.12 GAA. Kevin Maher would earn the honor of MISL Rookie Of The Year. The Spirit made the playoffs, but would lose to the Cleveland Force three games to one. The scores of the games were 4–6, 4–1, 5–6 (OT), 3–5.[4]

1984–85

Two-time former leading scorer Stan Terlecki returned to the team, but the Spirit finished in sixth place ten games under .500, going 19–29. Terlecki led the team with 39 goals and 66 points and goaltender Peter Mowlik finished the season 11–13 with a 4.71 GAA.[5]

1985–86

The 1985–1986 season would be the final season for the Spirit. Although they finished only four games out of first place of the MISL's Eastern Division, they also finished in last place with a record of 23–25. Goaltender David Brcic was named to the All-MISL team. After the completion of the season, the Pittsburgh Spirit folded.[6]

Return

There was an attempt to revive the Spirit for the final Major Soccer League season, but it did not come to be. An ownership group known as Pittsburgh Soccer Inc. was approved to operate the Major Soccer League expansion team for three years.[7]

Staff
  • General Manager – Chris Wright

Former players

Former coaches

Individual Honours

MISL MVP

  • 1981–1982 – Stan Terlecki (jointly held)

MISL All-Star Team

  • 1981–1982 – Stan Terlecki
  • 1985–1986 – David Brcic

MISL Rookie of the Year

Coach of the Year

References
  1. "The Vindicator - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  2. Dave Litterer/Steve Holroyd. "The 1981–82 MISL season". The US Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  3. Dave Litterer/Steve Holroyd. "The 1982–83 MISL season". The US Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  4. Dave Litterer/Steve Holroyd. "The 1983–84 MISL season". The US Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  5. Dave Litterer/Steve Holroyd. "The 1984–85 MISL season". The US Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  6. Dave Litterer/Steve Holroyd. "The 1985–86 MISL season". The US Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  7. Bill Free (1991-04-30). "Pittsburgh Returns To Indoor League". baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
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