Philadelphia Atoms @ Dallas Tornado 1973 NASL Finals Highlights

At last...the definitive highlights compilation from the 1973 North American Soccer League title match.

On August 25, 1973, 18,824 fans filed into Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas to watch their Dallas Tornado--1971 NASL champions--take on the expansion Philadelphia Atoms.

Dallas were heavily favored: besides having experience, the home side also had the NASL's leading scorer, American rookie Kyle Rote, Jr. Also, the Atoms would be without their two top scorers, as league commitments found loan players Andy "The Flea" Provan and Jim Fryatt recalled the Southport for the English season.

Nevertheless, American-born coach Al Miller started six native born players in his lineup (an unheard of number at the time), including never-used defender Bill Straub at forward for the absent Fryatt. Also, the Atoms featured the NASL's stingiest defense, the "No Goal Patrol": goalkeeper Bob Rigby (who set a league record with a 0.62 goals against average) and defenders Derek Trevis, Chris Dunleavy, U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Bobby Smith, and Barry Barto.

With the fitter Atoms outpacing the home side, and Dunleavy covering Rote like a blanket, Philadelphia went on to a 2-nil win.

Play-by-p;ay comes from legendary Philadelphia Flyers announcer Gene Hart (who refers to the ball as a "puck" during one goalmouth scramble). Analysis comes from Walter Chyzowych, who would later coach the U.S. National Team.

After the historic win, Rigby became the first soccer player to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated.