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The Canton Invaders was an
indoor soccer Indoor soccer or arena soccer is a form of five-a-side football, five-a-side or six-a-side version of minifootball. It is derived from association football and adapted to be played in walled hardcourt indoor arenas. It differs from the FIFA, FIFA ...
club based in
Canton, Ohio Canton () is a city in Stark County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of cities in Ohio, eighth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 70,872 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Canton–Massillo ...
that competed in the National Professional Soccer League. After the 1995–96 season, the team relocated and became the Columbus Invaders.


History

The Canton Invaders were a professional indoor soccer team from Canton, Ohio. Named by Michael George of Canton, Ohio. One of the charter members of the
American Indoor Soccer Association American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...
(AISA), they played their home contests in the Canton Civic Center, a municipal owned facility in the downtown area of Canton, Ohio. The Invaders and the AISA began play in 1984 with six teams ( Chicago Vultures, Canton Invaders, Columbus Capitals, Kalamazoo Kangaroos,
Louisville Thunder Louisville Thunder was an indoor soccer club based in Louisville, Kentucky. The team played in the American Indoor Soccer Association History Stadium From the club's inaugural season in 1984 to 1987, home games were played in Broadbent Arena. ...
, and
Milwaukee Wave The Milwaukee Wave are an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that competes in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL). Founded in 1984, they have been the oldest continuously operating professional indoor footbal ...
). The Invaders won the league championships for the 1984–85 and 1985–86 seasons as well as advancing to the championship series for the 1986–87 campaign only to be defeated by their opponent of the previous two championship contests, the Louisville (KY) Thunder. (Footnote: The Louisville Thunder folded following the 1986–87 season.) The following three seasons saw the Canton Invaders again capture the league championship crown but their attendance dwindled. A group of diehard fans continued to come to the home games and the seats behind one goal area became known as The Twilight Zone with spectators dressing in dark colored clothing and face painting for the Invaders’ motif. The area behind the other goal was actually the stage for the Canton Civic Center and no spectators were permitted to sit there during games. Prior to the 1990–91 season, the league set about reinventing itself as the National Profession Soccer League (NPSL). Ten teams now reached from New York to Milwaukee and south to Jacksonville. In an effort to make the games more equitable, players were traded amongst the teams and the Canton squad’s ability to win a majority of their games was eliminated. Canton never again hoisted the championship banner in the Civic Center and for the 1996–97 season, the team relocated to Columbus where they compiled a dismal 5 and 35 record finishing dead last in the Central Division of the American Conference of the NPSL. The Invaders disbanded following one season in Columbus and players were distributed to the remaining dozen teams of the league. The Invaders had a rivalry with the nearby
Cleveland Crunch The Cleveland Crunch is an American professional indoor soccer club located in Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), the Crunch played a total of 16 seasons in three separate leagues unde ...
for their last five seasons of play. The National Professional Soccer League continued operations for ten more seasons before officially folding operations. The ten teams of the league then established a re-structured league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League.


Coaches

* Klaas de Boer (1984–85) *
Trevor Dawkins Trevor Dawkins (born 7 October 1945) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a defender or midfielder. He spent seven seasons in the Football League, five in South Africa, and seven in the United States, most in indoor league ...
(1985–88) * Steve M. Paxos (1988) *
Timo Liekoski Timo Liekoski (born June 30, 1942) is a Finnish soccer coach who managed teams in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League, American Indoor Soccer Association and Major League Soccer. He currently holds a variety of coachi ...
(1989–1992)


Athletic trainers

*
Alex Villoneuva Alex is a given name. Similar names are Alexander, Alexandra, Alexey or Alexis. People Multiple *Alex Brown (disambiguation), multiple people * Alex Cook (disambiguation), multiple people * Alex Forsyth (disambiguation), multiple people *Alexand ...
(1993–1995) *
John D Smith John Dargavel Smith (born August 26, 1946) is a former professor of Sanskrit at Cambridge. His studies have primarily focused on topics in the language/literature/culture of Rajasthan. Much of this time was devoted to a major project on the her ...
(1995–1996)


Yearly awards

AISA Season MVP *1985–1986 –
Don Tobin Don Tobin (1 November 1955) is an English retired footballer who played in leagues including the English Football League, the League of Ireland, the American Soccer League, and Major Indoor Soccer League. Since 1995 he has coached at various l ...
*1986–1987 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
*1987–1988 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
*1988–1989 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
*1989–1990 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
NPSL Season MVP *1991–1992 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
AISA Coach of the Year *1984–1985 –
Klass De Boer Klass is a Germanic surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Alisha Klass (born 1972), American pornographic actress * Christa Klaß / Christa Klass (born 1951), German politician * Craig Klass (born 1965), former water polo player * D ...
*1985–1986 –
Trevor Dawkins Trevor Dawkins (born 7 October 1945) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a defender or midfielder. He spent seven seasons in the Football League, five in South Africa, and seven in the United States, most in indoor league ...
AISA Defender of the Year *1984–1985 –
Oscar Pisano Oscar Pisano (born 3 September 1956) is a retired Argentine football defender who went on to become a football manager. Pisano spent time in numerous North American indoor and outdoor leagues including the North American Soccer League, Major In ...
*1985–1986 –
Oscar Pisano Oscar Pisano (born 3 September 1956) is a retired Argentine football defender who went on to become a football manager. Pisano spent time in numerous North American indoor and outdoor leagues including the North American Soccer League, Major In ...
*1986–1987 –
Tim Tyma Tim Tyma (born December 14, 1960) is a former American soccer forward, coach and referee. Tyma played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. Player Youth Tim Tyma, younger brother of John T ...
NPSL Defender of the Year *1990–91 –
Denzil Antonio Denzil may refer to: People *Denzil Batchelor, British journalist and writer *Denzil Best, American jazz percussionist * Denzil Botus, Trinidadian pannist *Denzil Angus Carty, American Episcopal priest *Denzil Davies, British politician *Denzil De ...
AISA Rookie of the Year *1986-1986 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
AISA leading goal scorer *1986–1987 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
(51 Goals) *1987–1988 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
(24 Goals) AISA leading points scorer *1986–1987 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
(81 Points) *1987–1988 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
(42 Points) AISA Goalkeeper of the Year *1986–1987 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
*1988–1989 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
*1989–1990 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
NPSL Goalkeeper of the Year *1990–1991 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
*1991–1992 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
AISA All-Star Team *1984–1985 –
Kia Zolgharnain Kia Zolgharnain (born November 10, 1965) is an Iranian-American soccer coach and former player. As a player, Zolgharnain was a forward who led the American Indoor Soccer Association in scoring during the 1986–1987 season. He coaches youth so ...
,
Oscar Pisano Oscar Pisano (born 3 September 1956) is a retired Argentine football defender who went on to become a football manager. Pisano spent time in numerous North American indoor and outdoor leagues including the North American Soccer League, Major In ...
*1985–1986 –
Oscar Pisano Oscar Pisano (born 3 September 1956) is a retired Argentine football defender who went on to become a football manager. Pisano spent time in numerous North American indoor and outdoor leagues including the North American Soccer League, Major In ...
,
Kia Zolgharnain Kia Zolgharnain (born November 10, 1965) is an Iranian-American soccer coach and former player. As a player, Zolgharnain was a forward who led the American Indoor Soccer Association in scoring during the 1986–1987 season. He coaches youth so ...
,
Tim Tyma Tim Tyma (born December 14, 1960) is a former American soccer forward, coach and referee. Tyma played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. Player Youth Tim Tyma, younger brother of John T ...
,
Don Tobin Don Tobin (1 November 1955) is an English retired footballer who played in leagues including the English Football League, the League of Ireland, the American Soccer League, and Major Indoor Soccer League. Since 1995 he has coached at various l ...
*1986–1987 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
,
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
,
Tim Tyma Tim Tyma (born December 14, 1960) is a former American soccer forward, coach and referee. Tyma played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. Player Youth Tim Tyma, younger brother of John T ...
*1987–1988 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
*1988–1989 –
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
,
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
*1989–1990 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
,
Rudy Pikuzinski Rudy Pikuzinski (born August 9, 1959) is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career playing indoor soccer. He was a three time American Indoor Soccer Association MVP and served as an assistant coach his last year as a player. Yo ...
NPSL All-Star Team *1990–1991 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...
,
Denzil Antonio Denzil may refer to: People *Denzil Batchelor, British journalist and writer *Denzil Best, American jazz percussionist * Denzil Botus, Trinidadian pannist *Denzil Angus Carty, American Episcopal priest *Denzil Davies, British politician *Denzil De ...
,
Gino DiFlorio Gino DiFlorio is an Italian-American former professional soccer player who had an extensive indoor career in North America during the 1990s. Since 2020 he is the Technical Director at the Capital Area Soccer Association (CASA) in Harrisburg, PA. ...
*1991–1992 –
Jamie Swanner James Swanner (born January 13, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri) is a retired U.S. soccer goalkeeper and current soccer coach. He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic soccer team and earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1984. He spent ...


Year-by-year


References

* {{National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001) Sports in Canton, Ohio Defunct indoor soccer clubs in the United States National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001) teams Soccer clubs in Ohio Defunct soccer clubs in Ohio Association football clubs established in 1984 1984 establishments in Ohio Association football clubs disestablished in 1997 1997 disestablishments in Ohio