New York Arrows

The New York Arrows were one of the biggest success stories in soccer during the late 1970s and early 80s. Not only were the New York Arrows one of six founding franchises in the Major Indoor Soccer League in 1978, the team also won the first four MISL championships between 1979 to 1982 under Head Coach Don Popovic. On top of their already successful record, the Arrows recruited Yugoslavian striker Steve Zungul who was named league MVP for 4 years in a row and became known as the “Lord of All Indoors”.

Another interesting note is that while the Arrows won their four straight titles from 1979 through 1982, another team in their arena was doing the exact same thing! The Arrows shared the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island with the NHL’s New York Islanders. The Islanders would win four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-1983.  

Unfortunately the Arrow’s meteoric rise in soccer and Long Island history would be short lived. In November 1982, owner John Luciani sold the Arrows to the owner of the Kansas City Comets. Unfortunately, the transition was tough and the Arrows folded in 1984.