1967–68 American Soccer League

Overview

For the 1967–68 season the league set up a two division system to work as a pro/reg tandem, with the First Division being the higher tier. Ultimately pro/reg wound up occurring only on paper because Hartford S.C withdrew after five games, and by season's end Boston, Baltimore, Newark Portuguese, Patterson Roma, and New Brunswick all folded.

Nearly all of the season was played in the later part of 1967, with a handful of make-up games and the playoffs scheduled for early 1968. Weather issues, a slate of regional cup and National Challenge Cup matches, friendlies against both NASL and international sides, and the apparent disorganization of the league itself conspired to continually reschedule those few remaining regular season matches until April. Individually, notching his 15th goal, Rochester's Nelson Bergamo overtook Ivan Paletta of Philadelphia's Ukrainian Nationals for the ASL scoring title in the Lancers' final match of the season on April 28.

The finals were played more than a month later in late May and early June. Newspaper stories at the time indicate that because the Boston Tigers had already closed up shop, the league quickly adapted on the fly and matched First Division winners, Ukrainian Nationals of Philadelphia with Premier Division champions, New York Inter, instead playing semifinal matches, as was originally planned. The Uke-Nats won the two-legged final, 8–4, on aggregate.

League standings

Championship final

First leg

Serafin Marolla Ivan Paletta Peter Millar , Report 2

Second leg

Report 2 Report 3

1969 ASL Champions: Ukrainian Nationals (8–4 aggregate)

References

• American Soccer League II (RSSSF)

References

1. Loj, Alex. (December 13, 1967). "Lancers Sure Of Spot in First Division". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
2. Larson, Bertil. (October 21, 1967). "Local Soccermen Cancel Schedule". Hartford Courant.
3. "The Year in American Soccer - 1968".
4. Butz, George. (January 17, 1968). "Winter Plays Havoc With Loop, Cup Tests". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
5. Butz, George. (February 28, 1968). "Reichel Snaps Scoring Slump With Hat Trick". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
6. Butz, George. (March 27, 1968). "Uke Nats Gain New Prestige". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
7. Butz, George. (February 7, 1968). "Corner Kicks". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
8. Loj, Alex. (April 29, 1968). "Lancers Gain Tie, Finish 4th". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
9. (May 30, 1968). "Ukes Inter SC Open Playoffs". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
10. Butz, George. (May 29, 1968). "Title Playoffs Open Here". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
11. Butz, George. (January 3, 1968). "Soccer Owners to Map Plans". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
12. Butz, George. (May 29, 1968). "Title Playoffs Open Here". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
13. Larson, Bertil. (October 21, 1967). "Local Soccermen Cancel Schedule". Hartford Courant.
14. "The Year in American Soccer - 1968".