Los Angeles Wolves

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This article is about the Los Angeles Wolves that played in the United Soccer Association in 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. For the modern day team that plays in the United Premier Soccer League, see L.A. Wolves FC.

Los Angeles Wolves
Full nameLos Angeles Wolves
Nickname(s)Wolves
Founded1966; 58 years ago (1966)
Dissolved1968; 56 years ago (1968)
StadiumLos Angeles Coliseum
Rose Bowl
ChairmanJack Kent Cooke
Head coachRonnie Allen (1967)
Ray Wood (1968)

The Los Angeles Wolves were an American professional soccer team that played for two seasons. In 1967 they played in the United Soccer Association, finishing as champions, and in 1968 they were founding members of the North American Soccer League.

United Soccer Association

In 1966 a group of

1966–67 season subsequently represented the Los Angeles
franchise. Cooke had originally intended to call the team the Los Angeles Zorros, but when the agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers was made, it was decided to use their nickname of Wolves.

1967 Kit

Wolves played in the Western Division alongside

Los Angeles Coliseum. Wolves won the championship beating the Whips 6–5 after 36 minutes of extra-time. Four goals were scored within a 4-minute period midway through the second half and each team scored during extra time. The game was decided after Whips defender Ally Shewan scored an own goal.[1]

NASL

In December 1967 the USA merged with the National Professional Soccer League to form the North American Soccer League. As a result, Wolves became founding members of the new league. During the inaugural 1968 season Wolves played in the Pacific Division alongside the San Diego Toros, Oakland Clippers and Vancouver Royals. With a team coached by Ray Wood and featuring Carlos Metidieri, but no Wolverhampton Wanderers players, they failed to repeat the success of the previous season. After finishing third in their division, Wolves were one of several NASL franchises that folded after just one season. The idea of importing teams to represent franchises was revived during the 1969 North American Soccer League season and Wolverhampton Wanderers returned to the United States, this time representing Kansas City Spurs, and winning the NASL International Cup.

Year-by-year

Year League W L T Pts Reg. season Playoffs Avg. attendance
1967 USA 5 5 2 15 1st, Western Division Champions 7,777
1968 NASL 11 8 13 139 3rd, Pacific Division did not qualify 2,441

Coaches

Players

Legacy

In 2014, the Wolves name was resurrected by a United Premier Soccer League team called the

LA Wolves FC.[3][4]

In 2023, the LA Wolves story was brought alive via a collaboration between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Munidal (part of the FootballCo group). The trailer of the film was released on 14 July 2023 to commemorate 56 years since the final. The final film was released in November 2023 and available on TNT in the UK, across the Discovery network in Europe and on NBC in the USA. It was also made available on the club’s official Wolves YouTube channel. The film was subsequently shortlisted for the Kicking & Screening Film festival in New York City in March 2024 and was also a finalist in the 2024 New York Festivals TV & Film awards.

See also

References

  1. ^ United Press International (July 16, 1967). "Wolves capture U.S. soccer title". The New York Times. p. 152. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  2. ^ USA NASL Los Angeles Wolves Rosters
  3. ^ "BRINGING BACK THE WOLVES LA club joins United Premier Soccer League". Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  4. ^ "Home | L.A. Wolves FC". Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2014.

External links

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