The World Indoor Soccer League (WISL) was a United States-based
indoor soccer league
League or The League may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Leagues'' (band), an American rock band
* ''The League'', an American sitcom broadcast on FX and FXX about fantasy football
Sports
* Sports league
* Rugby league, full contact footba ...
that existed from 1998 to 2001 and consisted of nine teams.
History
After the demise of the
Continental Indoor Soccer League, four of its teams decided to create a new indoor league to be called the Premier Soccer Alliance. The teams complemented their schedules with games against international teams. In 1999, two more former CISL teams (the
Houston Hotshots and
Monterrey La Raza Monterrey La Raza refers to one of two different indoor soccer franchises:
*Monterrey La Raza (1992–2001), a defunct indoor soccer team that operated in the Continental Indoor Soccer League and World Indoor Soccer League
*Monterrey La Raza (2007 ...
) joined the league, which then changed its name to World Indoor Soccer League.
The name change came about as a result of the "merger" of the US-based Premier Soccer Alliance and an 'English Indoor Football League'. Originally, there was to be a European Division and a North American Division, with 'London United', 'Manchester Magic', 'Newcastle Geordies' and 'Sheffield Strikers' playing in a European division, but that idea was dropped due to rules conflicts between the existing leagues and lack of permission from
The Football Association
The Football Association (also known as The FA) is the governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Formed in 1863, it is the oldest football association in the world a ...
.
At one point in 2000, the World Indoor Soccer League attempted to be the first U.S. pro sports league to sell the sell naming rights of the league. It was looking to be something like "The Pepsi World Indoor Soccer League." Ultimately, this did not happen.
The WISL folded in December 2001 when Dallas, St. Louis, and San Diego agreed to join the
MISL while the remaining teams, the Utah Freezz, the Sacramento Knights and the Houston Hotshots folded.
Champions
Season by Season
By Team
Annual awards
Most Valuable Player
* 1998 –
Tatu, Dallas
* 1999 –
David Doyle, Dallas
* 2000 – Mariano Bollella, Monterrey
* 2001 – Ato Leone, Sacramento
Goalkeeper of the Year
*1998 – Dan Madsen, Sacramento
*1999 – Brett Phillips, Portland
*2000 – Sagu (Edilson Xavier), Dallas
*2001 – Sagu (Edilson Xavier), Dallas
Coach of the Year
* 1998 –
Tatu, Dallas
* 1999 –
Iain Fraser, Sacramento
* 2000 –
Jeff Betts
Jeff Betts (born March 8, 1970 in Charles City, Iowa) is an American former soccer forward and coach who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time All Star and the 2000 World Indoor Soccer League Coach of the Year.
Col ...
, Utah
* 2001 –
Iain Fraser, Sacramento
Rookie of the Year
* 1998 – Jorge Fernandez, Sacramento
* 1999 – Justin Labrum, Utah
* 2000 – Clint Regier, Houston
* 2001 – David Beltran, San Diego
Defender of the Year
* 1998 –
Rusty Troy
Rusty may refer to something covered with rust or with a rust (color). Rusty is also a nickname for people who have red hair, have a rust-hued skin tone, or have the given name Russell.
Rusty may also refer to:
People
*Rusty Anderson (born 1959 ...
, Dallas
* 1999 –
Iain Fraser, Sacramento
* 2000 –
Rob Baarts
Robert "Rob" Baarts (born February 19, 1969 in Surrey, British Columbia) is a retired Canadian soccer forward who is currently the head coach of the New Mexico State University women's soccer team.
College
Rob Baarts grew up in Surrey, British Co ...
, Utah
* 2001 – Iain Fraser, Sacramento
Presidents
Gordon Jago
Gordon Harold Jago (born 22 October 1932) is an English former football player and manager, and the former director of the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup international youth tournament.
Playing career
Born in Poplar, London, Jago began his professiona ...
1998–2001
Teams
References
{{USDefunctSoccer
Organizations disestablished in 2001
Defunct indoor soccer leagues in the United States
1998 in American soccer leagues
1999 in American soccer leagues
2000 in American soccer leagues
2001 in American soccer leagues