1983 North American Soccer League season

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1983 North American Soccer League season

Overview
- The NASL season featured 12 teams and ran through 1983, ending with Tulsa Roughnecks winning the Soccer Bowl.
- Tulsa defeated Toronto Blizzard 2–0 to claim the title on October 1, 1983, in Vancouver. Goals were scored by Njego Pesa and Ron Futcher.
- Regular-season leaders: New York Cosmos finished with the most points (premiers), while Vancouver Whitecaps had the best win–loss record.

Key changes from the previous season
- New teams: Team America joined the league.
- Teams folding: Edmonton Drillers, Jacksonville Tea Men, and Portland Timbers left NASL.
- Name change: San Jose became the Golden Bay Earthquakes.

Regular season in brief
- Eastern Division (top teams): New York Cosmos (22–8), Chicago Sting (15–15), Toronto Blizzard (16–14), Montreal Manic (12–18).
- Southern Division: Tulsa Roughnecks (17–13), Fort Lauderdale Strikers (14–16), Tampa Bay Rowdies (7–23), Team America (10–20).
- Western Division: Vancouver Whitecaps (24–6), Golden Bay Earthquakes (20–10), Seattle Sounders (12–18), San Diego Sockers (11–19).
- Top scorer: Roberto Cabañas (New York Cosmos) with 25 goals.
- Attendance: The league averaged about 13,258 spectators per game. The highest single-game attendance was 60,342 (Seattle at Vancouver on June 20). Vancouver led in total attendance with 437,454 across 15 home games; New York Cosmos totaled 408,635.

Playoffs (quarterfinals, semifinals, Soccer Bowl)
- Quarterfinals (best-of-3):
- New York Cosmos vs. Montreal Manic: Montreal won 2–1 in the series.
- Tulsa Roughnecks vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers: Tulsa won 2–1.
- Golden Bay Earthquakes vs. Chicago Sting: Golden Bay won 2–1.
- Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Toronto Blizzard: Toronto won 2–1.
- Semifinals (Tulsa vs. Montreal; Golden Bay vs. Toronto):
- Tulsa Roughnecks defeated Montreal Manic 2–1 (one game went to a shootout).
- Toronto Blizzard defeated Golden Bay Earthquakes 2–0 in the series.
- Soccer Bowl ’83:
- Tulsa Roughnecks 2, Toronto Blizzard 0.
- Venue: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver; Attendance: 53,326.
- Tulsa goals: Njego Pesa (55:36) and Ron Futcher (61:37).

Post-season awards
- Most Valuable Player: Roberto Cabañas (New York Cosmos)
- Coach of the year: Don Popovic (Golden Bay Earthquakes)
- Rookie of the year: Gregg Thompson (Tampa Bay)
- North American Player of the Year: Tino Lettieri (Vancouver)
- Soccer Bowl MVP: Njego Pesa (Tulsa)

Additional notes
- The 1983 season was the 16th and penultimate season of the NASL, a year marked by team changes and the ongoing struggle of the league to sustain stability and popularity.