1985–86 Major Indoor Soccer League season

Recap

For the most part, the league format remained unchanged. A 48-game season would be followed with an eight-team playoff, similar to the playoff system used from 1982 to 1984. There would be one major change in gameplay, however. The shootout, part of the MISL since its inception, was dropped in favor of multiple overtime periods to decide games, if necessary. There was a steady national TV contract for the first time since 1983, as ESPN would televise 15 regular-season games and assorted playoff games.

The East and West division races were a study in contrasts. San Diego ran away with the West again, despite selling reigning league MVP Steve Zungul to the Tacoma Stars for $200,000 halfway through the regular season. Tacoma would go 11-8 with Zungul, who won the league scoring title for the sixth time in the MISL's eight years. However, the Stars lost in four games to the Sockers in the league semifinals.

In the East, the six-team division was separated by only four games. The playoff positions were only confirmed when the Baltimore Blast defeated the Pittsburgh Spirit in the season finale. The Dallas Sidekicks switched divisions and promptly won 13 more games than the previous year, making the playoffs for the first time and earning Gordon Jago Coach of the Year honors.

For the second straight year, the Strikers and Sockers went to a deciding game in their playoff matchup. San Diego became the first team to rally from a two-game deficit to win a MISL playoff series, as the Strikers' 3-1 lead in the championship series disappeared under three straight Socker wins. In the first seventh game in MISL history, the Sockers held off a late Minnesota charge to win 5-3. San Diego's Brian Quinn scored two goals and an assist on his way to playoff MVP honors.

After the season, the Spirit folded, and the league made plans to return to New York with an expansion franchise.

Teams

Map of clubs

Regular season schedule

Main article: 1985–86 Major Indoor Soccer League regular season schedule

The 1985–86 regular season schedule ran from October 25, 1985, to April 6, 1986. Despite the loss of two teams from the 1984-85 lineup, the schedule remained at 48 games.

Final standings

Playoff teams in bold.

Playoffs

| RD1-seed1=E1 | RD1-team1=Cleveland Force | RD1-score1=3 | RD1-seed2=E4 | RD1-team2=Baltimore Blast | RD1-score2=2

| RD1-seed3=E2 | RD1-team3=Minnesota Strikers | RD1-score3=3 | RD1-seed4=E3 | RD1-team4=Dallas Sidekicks | RD1-score4=1

| RD1-seed5=W1 | RD1-team5=San Diego Sockers | RD1-score5=3 | RD1-seed6=W4 | RD1-team6=St. Louis Steamers | RD1-score6=1

| RD1-seed7=W2 | RD1-team7=Wichita Wings | RD1-score7=1 | RD1-seed8=W3 | RD1-team8=Tacoma Stars | RD1-score8=3

| RD2-seed1=E1 | RD2-team1=Cleveland Force | RD2-score1=1 | RD2-seed2=E2 | RD2-team2=Minnesota Strikers | RD2-score2=3

| RD2-seed3=W1 | RD2-team3=San Diego Sockers | RD2-score3=3 | RD2-seed4=W3 | RD2-team4=Tacoma Stars | RD2-score4=1

| RD3-seed1=E2 | RD3-team1=Minnesota Strikers | RD3-score1=3 | RD3-seed2=W1 | RD3-team2=San Diego Sockers | RD3-score2=4

Quarterfinals

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Semifinals

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Championship Series

Regular season player statistics

Scoring leaders

GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

Leading goalkeepers

Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses

Playoff player statistics

Scoring leaders

GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

Leading goalkeepers

Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses

All-MISL teams

League awards

• Most Valuable Player: Steve Zungul, San Diego/Tacoma
• Scoring Champion: Steve Zungul, San Diego/Tacoma
• Pass Master: Steve Zungul, San Diego/Tacoma
• Defender of the Year: Kim Roentved, Wichita
• Rookie of the Year: Dave Boncek, Kansas City Comets
• Goalkeeper of the Year: Keith Van Eron, Baltimore
• Coach of the Year: Gordon Jago, Dallas
• Championship Series Most Valuable Player: Brian Quinn, San Diego

Team attendance totals

References

References

1. (October 23, 1985). "MISL's Seven New Rules". [[Los Angeles Times]].
2. (1989). "MISL Official Guide 1989-90".
3. Reinmuth, Gary. (February 6, 1986). "Sockers` Zungul Sold To Tacoma". [[Chicago Tribune]].
4. Appleman, Marc. (May 8, 1986). "Sockers Rally for 8-5 Win: San Diego Opens MISL Finals Friday Against Minnesota". [[Los Angeles Times]].
5. Tuma, Gary. (April 7, 1986). "Typical Spirit Ending: On Road Without Offense". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
6. Appleman, Marc. (May 27, 1986). "Sockers Take 7 to Win 5; Strikers Bow Out, 5-3 : There Are a Few Twists to the Story This Time as San Diego Struggles to Win 5th Consecutive Indoor Title". [[Los Angeles Times]].
7. Tuma, Gary. (April 12, 1986). "DeBartolo folds losing Spirit". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
8. (1985). "1985-86 MISL Media Guide".
9. (1987). "MISL Official Tenth Anniversary Guide".
10. (1987). "MISL Official Tenth Anniversary Guide".