- This article is about the original and second Washington Diplomats of the NASL. For the third team to use the name, see Washington Diplomats (APSL)
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| Full name | Washington Diplomats | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Diplomats, Dips | ||
| Founded | 1974 | ||
| Dissolved | 1981 | ||
| Stadium | Robert F. Kennedy Stadium (Capacity: 55,000) |
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| Coach | Gordon Bradley | ||
| League | North American Soccer League | ||
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The name Washington Diplomats was used by three different soccer teams in Washington, D.C.
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NASL original team
The original Washington Diplomats first came into being when, in 1974, the North American Soccer League (NASL) granted a franchise to a Washington, D.C. based business group. The team played their home games at RFK Stadium except for 1976 when they played at W.T. Woodson High School in Northern Virginia. After a lackluster beginning to the franchise, the Diplomats qualified for the playoffs and increased average game attendance in each of their last three years of existence. Additionally, in their final year, the Diplomats were able to sign the future European Player of the Century Johan Cruyff. After the 1980 season the Diplomats folded when then owner, the Madison Square Garden Corp., had accumulated losses of $6 million and team president Steve Danzansky could not gather enough money to keep the team alive.[1]
The cheerleaders for the original Diplomats were known as the Honeydips.
Year-by-year
| Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Regular Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | NASL | 7 | 12 | 1 | 70 | 4th, Eastern Division | Did not qualify |
| 1975 | NASL | 12 | 10 | — | 112 | 3rd, Eastern Division | Did not qualify |
| 1976 | NASL | 14 | 10 | — | 126 | 3rd, Atlantic Conference, Eastern Division | Lost 1st Round (New York) |
| 1977 | NASL | 10 | 16 | — | 92 | 4th, Atlantic Conference, Eastern Division | Did not qualify |
| 1978 | NASL | 16 | 14 | — | 145 | 2nd, National Conference, Eastern Division | Lost 1st Round (Portland) |
| 1979 | NASL | 19 | 11 | — | 172 | 2nd, National Conference, Eastern Division | Lost Conference Quarterfinals (Los Angeles) |
| 1980 | NASL | 17 | 15 | — | 159 | 2nd, National Conference, Eastern Division | Lost 1st Round (Los Angeles) |
NASL new Diplomats
After the original Diplomats folded following the 1980 season, the Detroit Express moved to Washington to become the new Diplomats. This team only lasted for one season.
Year-by-year
| Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Regular Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | NASL | 15 | 17 | — | 135 | 3rd, Eastern Division | Did not qualify |
Famous players
England
Mike Barry (1975)- Paul Cannell
- Peter Carr (1981)
- Ray Graydon 1978)
- Alan Green (1977; 1979-80)
- Clive Haywood (1981)
- Trevor Hebberd (1981)
- Kenny Hill (1977)
- Ross Jenkins (1981)
- Don McAllister (1977)
- Jimmy Redfern (1977)
- Peter Silvester (1977)
- Bobby Stokes (1978-80)
- Trevor Thompson (1976) [1]
Netherlands
Scotland
Jim Brown (1981)- Eddie Colquhoun (1981)
- Tommy O'Hara (1978-80) [2]
- Jim Steele (1977-79)
Northern Ireland
Bill Irwin (1978-80)
Wales
Donato Nardiello (1981)
Coaches
Staff & Ownership
Stephen Danzansky
Average attendance per game
- 1974: 4,975
- 1975: 8,847
- 1976: 5,963
- 1977: 13,037
- 1978: 10,783
- 1979: 11,973
- 1980: 19,205
- 1981: 16,106
References
- ^ Feinstein, John (December 9, 1980). "Death of the Diplomats". Washington Post: p. D1.
External links
See also
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