NASL Coming to Victoria!

Posted on: Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Victoria Highlanders announced today at their end of season press conference that they will play two friendlies against future NASL side FC Edmonton. 

The home and home series will see FC Edmonton come to Victoria for the first leg at Bear Mountain Stadium at 6pm on August 8 before hosting Victoria in the return leg at Edmonton on the 11th. Edmonton are slated to begin play in the NASL next season (2011) along with Tampa Bay Rowdies, AC St. Louis, Montreal Impact, Carolina Railhawks, FC Miami, Atlanta Silverbacks, Rochester Kickers and NSC Minnesota and will be a great litmus test for the second year Victoria club that has hinted a promotion to the USL pro ranks could be in their near future.
 

The NASL (North American Soccer League) gained huge popularity through the 70's and early 80's signing international superstars like Pele, George Best, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinalia and Kyle Rote Jr.  Canadians like Bruce Wilson, Buzz Parsons and Bobby Lenarduzzi made a name for themselves during their time in the NASL. Victorians Bob Bolitho, Ike MacKay and Highlander's Head Coach, Ian Bridge all spent time in the league during its glory years.  Edmonton's original NASL franchise was known as the Drillers.  The Vancouver Whitecaps won the NASL Soccer Bowl, the league's championship, in 1979 defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE:

 

Match Times:

Sunday August 8, 2010: 6:00pm @ Bear Mountain Stadium

Wednesday August 11, 2010: 7:35pm @ Edmonton's Foote Field (U of A)