Indoor soccer had a rocky start and continues to struggle with standardizing rules and governing organizations. Despite beginning nearly parallel to the development of conventional soccer back in 1885, indoor soccer has never enjoyed a stable international sanctioning organization. Or even a steady national organization on any continent. Indoor soccer has been popular in the Americas since the ’20 and 30’s, but it wasn’t until 1970 when the North American Indoor Soccer League was formed that indoor soccer had an organizing body. It has been a rocky road for indoor soccer ever since then, and today the United States Indoor Soccer Association is the central governing organization. Here are some of the changes indoor soccer has endured in the last 40 years:
1970 – The North American Indoor Soccer League is formed to hold indoor soccer games and tournaments.
1973 – The World Indoor Soccer Association is formed and hosts first match in Toronto, Canada.
1974 – North American Soccer League USA team plays the Soviet Army in the world’s first televised indoor soccer game.
1975 – North American Soccer League stages indoor tournaments through 1979.
1978 – Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) is formed.
1979 – Major Indoor Soccer League combines with North American Soccer’s
indoor league,
1984 – American Indoor Soccer Association is formed, runs through 1990.
1985 – North American Soccer League ends.
1986 – Southwest Indoor Soccer League (SISL) forms.
1988 – Southwest Independent Soccer League expanded to include outdoor
1990 – MISL becomes Major Soccer League (MSL).
1996 – SISL soccer becomes the I-League.
1992 – MSL ends.
1993 – Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) is formed.
1995 – CISL ends.
1997 – Eastern Indoor Soccer League is formed.
1998 – World Indoor Soccer League is formed – and ends.
1998 – I-League ends.
1998 – United States Indoor Soccer Association is formed.
2001 – Major Indoor Soccer League is reformed.
2008 – American Indoor Soccer League ends.
2008 – Major Indoor Soccer League ends.
At present, the United States Indoor Soccer Association is the single largest (and only remaining) central governing body for indoor soccer ball sports.
United States Indoor Soccer Association
1340 N. Great Neck Road, Suite 1272-142
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
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