U.S. To Have National Soccer League In 1967

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31057, 12 May 1966, Page 21

U.S. To Have National Soccer League In 1967

(N.Z.PA. Reuter— Copyright)

NEW YORK. The launching of a professional soccer league in the United States was announced in New "York yesterday.

Mr Robert R. Hermann, president of the new group, announced the North American Professional Soccer League had 11 certain members and was considering five other cities, including three in the United States and two in Canada.

put on developing American players, the initial heavy draw would be on players from foreign lands, particularly Britain. Announcement of the league came in spite of the fact that the United States Soccer Football Association,

governing body of soccer in the U.S., is still deliberating the award of the rights for a national professional league. A decision is not expected until June.

Mr W. Cox, who has operated the international soccer league in New York in recent years said: “It is our intention to bring United States soccer to the level where we can enter the World Cup and other major international competitions on a par with the best teams elsewhere in the world. “Several of our club owners flew to England last week for a personal meeting with Sir Stanley Rous, secretary of the international association, and we have his blessing.”

Cities ready to field teams are New York, Atlanta (Georgia), Boston, Chicago, Hartford (Connecticut), Los Angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia,' St Louis, San Diego (California), and San Francisco.

The cities Still under consideration are Vancouver and Toronto, in Canada, Detroit, Pittsburg and Miami. The new league is not scheduled to begin operations until 1967. It was expected that while emphasis would be