Friday Flashback: New York Arrows


In 1978, a new sports league introduced a version of soccer called "indoor soccer" with the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).  The New York Arrows was one of the original six teams in the league.  The Arrows were a success on the field winning the first four league titles.  They played their first game on December 22, 1978 against the Cincinnati Kids.

The Arrows' roster has some dominant players in the early years of the team and the league.  In his first four seasons with the Arrows, Steve Zungul - who was known as "The Lord of All Indoors" averaged nearly five goals per game and scored seven goals in a game against the Chicago Horizons in 1981.  Shep Messing was the first championship series MVP as the teams' goalkeeper.  Julie Vee and Branko Segota were also perennial all-stars for the Arrows.

The Arrows played a Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.  From 1978-1984, the Arrows averaged 6,440 attendance per game.

Dragan Popovic coached the Arrows from 1978-1983 and compiled an impressive record of 98-18 in the regular season and 14-4 in the playoffs.

New York Arrows Seasons Review:

  • 1978-79
    • Regular Season Record:  16-8
    • Finish:  2nd
    • Playoffs:
      • Semifinals - defeated Cincinnati Kids 9-4
      • Final - defeated Philadelphia Fever 2 games to 0
  • 1979-80
    • Regular Season Record:  27-5
    • Finish: 1st
    • Playoffs:
      • Semifinals - defeated Pittsburgh Spirit 2 games to 0
      • Final - defeated Houston Summit 6-5
  • 1980-81
    • Regular Season Record:  35-5
    • Finish:  1st
    • Playoffs:
      • Quarterfinals - defeated Phoenix Inferno 2 games to 1
      • Semifinals - defeated Baltimore Blast 10-1
      • Final - defeated St. Louis Steamers 6-5
  • 1981-82
    • Regular Season Record:  36-8
    • Finish:  1st
    • Playoffs:
      • Quarterfinals - defeated Buffalo Stallions 2 games to 1
      • Semifinals - defeated Baltimore Blast 2 games to 1
      • Final - defeated St. Louis Steams 2 games to 1
  • 1982-83
    • Regular Season Record:  24-24
    • Finish: 4th
    • Playoffs:
      • Quarterfinals - Lost to Baltimore Blast 2 games to 1
  • 1983-84
    • Regular Season Record:  20-28
    • Finish: 4th
    • Playoffs:  
      • Quarterfinals - Lost to Baltimore Blast 3 games to 1
Although the Arrows were a powerhouse on the field, they could never sustain success at the box office and folded after the 1983-84 season.  

Fun Facts:
  • There were attempts in 1984 to sell the franchise to Charlotte and Cincinnati but those attempts fell through.
  • Dragan Popovic finished his career with a record of 275-167 and is a member of the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame.  
  • The Arrows played their last game on May 9, 1984 when they lost game four of the quarterfinals to the Baltimore Blast, 14-5.
Watch a video clip of the Arrows playing the Philadelphia Fever in the 1979 finals here:  https://youtu.be/e3ogMTgIACM





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