Rochester Lancers (1967–1980)
NASL champions in 1970; only NASL team in CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
The Rochester Lancers, a soccer club from Rochester, New York, began in the American Soccer League from 1967 before joining the North American Soccer League in 1970. Playing at Holleder Memorial Stadium, they captured the 1970 NASL title and remain the only NASL side to enter the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. After only two winning seasons and a handful of playoff runs, the team disbanded following the 1980 campaign.
Quick Facts
- Club
- Rochester Lancers
- Founded
- 1967
- Dissolved
- 1980
- Stadium
- Holleder Memorial Stadium
- Owner
- Charlie Schiano (majority)
- Chairman
- Charlie Schiano
- League
- ASL (1967–69), NASL (1970–80)
Facts from the source article.
History
On March 23, 1967, Rochester was granted a franchise in the professional American Soccer League. Local businessmen led by attorney Rudy LePore formed Rochester Soccer Club, Inc. Roman Kucil, a player for the Hungarian-Americans of the Rochester District Soccer League, was hired as manager, and the team was named the Rochester Lancers. Another exhibition against English First Division club Chelsea F.C. on June 13 ended in a 6–1 defeat. On July 21, it was confirmed the Lancers would compete in the ASL's first division, opening the season on August 27 at home against the Boston Tigers, with an exhibition two weeks earlier.
Shortly before the season, Kucil was replaced by George Baker, and seven players were signed, including Scottish forward Ken Allison and Brazilian Nelson Bergamo, who had played for Santos FC. In early October, Baker was replaced by general manager Charlie Schiano as acting coach. Sal DeRosa coached the final four games. In mid-November, goalkeeper Dick Howard joined, allowing only two goals in his first four games.
The scheduled season finale on December 17 was a 2–1 loss to Philadelphia Ukrainians; however, a postponed match against Newark Ukrainian Sitch from October 15 was played on April 28, 1968, ending in a 2–2 draw. That result secured a fourth-place finish with a record of six wins, two draws, and seven losses. Bergamo, who had signed a new contract a week earlier, scored in that match and finished the season with 15 goals, leading the league.
Results by year
On March 19, 1971, the league held its first indoor event, a four-team Hoc-Soc tournament in St. Louis. Rochester won its first match 3–1 before losing the final 3–0 to the Dallas Tornado. In late 1975, the NASL ran a 16-team indoor tournament; the Lancers hosted their region at Rochester War Memorial Arena but did not advance from the group. They played an additional match in March, losing 10–7 at home to Toronto Metros-Croatia. In 1976, the Lancers reached the finals but lost 6–4 to the host Tampa Bay Rowdies. The NASL held a full indoor season in 1979–80, but the Lancers did not participate.
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