Los Angeles Aztecs
The Los Angeles Aztecs were a soccer team that competed in the North American Soccer League from 1974-81. The team was based in Los Angeles, California and part-owned by Elton John. They played their games in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl.
[edit] History
The Aztecs are rembered as a sucessful team and are often compared to the New York Cosmos as the Cosmos' of the West Coast. They won the Soccer Bowl in 1974 against the Miami Toros. In 1976 a big star in George Best was signed and he played for the Aztecs from 1976 to 1978. Another superstar in Johan Cruyff played for the Aztecs in 1979. Historically, the team attracted less attendance than the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS attract with attendance around 24,000, but it's legacy remains to this day..
[edit] Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 1 | NASL | 1st, Western | Champions | Did not enter |
| 1975 | 1 | NASL | 3rd, Pacific | Quarterfinals | Did not enter |
| 1976 | 1 | NASL | 3rd, Pacific Southern | 1st Round | Did not enter |
| 1977 | 1 | NASL | 3rd, Pacific Southern | Semifinals | Did not enter |
| 1978 | 1 | NASL | 4th, National Western | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
| 1979 | 1 | NASL | 2nd, National Western | Conference Semifinals | Did not enter |
| 1979/80 | N/A | NASL Indoor | 5th, Western | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1980 | 1 | NASL | 2nd, National Western | Conference Championships | Did not enter |
| 1980/81 | N/A | NASL Indoor | 1st, Western | 1st Round | N/A |
| 1981 | 1 | NASL | 2nd, Western | 1st Round | Did not enter |
[edit] Average Attendance
- 1974: 5,098
- 1975: 8,307
- 1976: 8,051
- 1977: 9,638
- 1978: 9,301
- 1979: 14,334
- 1980: 12,057
- 1981: 5,814
