Ed Tepper and Earl Foreman established the first Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) in 1978, hoping to capitalize on the growing popularity of soccer signaled by the success of the North American Soccer League.
The MISL began play in December of 1978 with six teams: the Cincinnati Kids, Cleveland Force, Houston Summit, New York Arrows, Philadelphia Fever, and Pittsburgh Spirit.
Although MISL attendance was generally pretty good, the league was in a constant state of flux, losing at least one franchise almost every year, and two different franchises established in New York City were forced to drop out in mid-season.
In 14 years of operation, the MISL had 32 franchises and drew more than 27 million fans, averaging 7,644 a game, better than virtually any other soccer league in U. S. history. But it was hurt by continual salary wars with rival leagues, beginning with the NASL's own indoor circuit from 1982 through 1984.
When the NASL folded in 1985, some of its teams joined the MISL, but the American Indoor Soccer Association then began competing for players. The MISL changed its name to the Major Soccer League in 1990 and moved outdoors, hoping to capitalize on publicity for the 1994 World Cup tournament, but it didn't make it that far. The league folded after the 1992 season.
Ironically, the Indoor Soccer Association became the second Major Indoor Soccer League in 2001 after having changed its name to the National Professional Soccer League in 1989.
The MISL was very unusual among soccer leagues in that it almost always had long, multi-game championship series. In fact, from 1984 through its final season, the league had a best-of-seven series for the championship.
