1997 USISL A-League

At the end of the 1996 A-League season, the U.S. second division A-League collapsed. Six of the seven teams in the A-League then joined the USISL which had three leagues in 1996, beginning with the third division USISL Select League.{{Cite web |url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1996.html#USISL |title=The Year in American Soccer – 1996 |access-date=August 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713140634/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1996.html#USISL |archive-date=July 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }} With the collapse of the U.S. second division and the transfer of most of its teams to the USISL, the USISL reorganized its divisions to include the new teams. It moved most of the old second division USISL Select League, plus a few new teams, up to a second division level and merged the old A-League teams into this new U.S. second division which was renamed the USISL A-League.

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|PKwin_header={{abbr|SW|Shootout win}}

|PKloss_header={{abbr|SL|Shootout loss}}

|PKwinpoints=1|PKlosspoints=0

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=MTL|name_MTL=Montreal Impact

|team2=RRR|name_RRR=Rochester Raging Rhinos

|team3=LIR|name_LIR=Long Island Rough Riders

|team4=TOR|name_TOR=Toronto Lynx

|team5=CON|name_CON=Connecticut Wolves

|team6=WOR|name_WOR=Worcester Wildfire

|win_MTL=20|PKwin_MTL=1|PKloss_MTL=1|loss_MTL=6|gf_MTL=58|ga_MTL=19

|win_RRR=14|PKwin_RRR=0|PKloss_RRR=5|loss_RRR=9|gf_RRR=56|ga_RRR=47

|win_LIR=13|PKwin_LIR=3|PKloss_LIR=2|loss_LIR=10|gf_LIR=44|ga_LIR=36

|win_TOR=12|PKwin_TOR=2|PKloss_TOR=0|loss_TOR=14|gf_TOR=44|ga_TOR=43

|win_CON=8|PKwin_CON=4|PKloss_CON=1|loss_CON=15|gf_CON=31|ga_CON=45

|win_WOR=6|PKwin_WOR=1|PKloss_WOR=2|loss_WOR=19|gf_WOR=26|ga_WOR=61

|col_Q=green2|text_Q=

|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|PKwin_header={{abbr|SW|Shootout win}}

|PKloss_header={{abbr|SL|Shootout loss}}

|PKwinpoints=1|PKlosspoints=0

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=HER|name_HER=Hershey Wildcats

|team2=CAR|name_CAR=Carolina Dynamo

|team3=RIC|name_RIC=Richmond Kickers

|team4=CHA|name_CHA=Charleston Battery

|team5=RAL|name_RAL=Raleigh Flyers

|team6=JAC|name_JAC=Jacksonville Cyclones

|win_HER=18|PKwin_HER=1|PKloss_HER=1|loss_HER=8|gf_HER=56|ga_HER=33

|win_CAR=16|PKwin_CAR=2|PKloss_CAR=2|loss_CAR=8|gf_CAR=63|ga_CAR=33

|win_RIC=15|PKwin_RIC=0|PKloss_RIC=2|loss_RIC=11|gf_RIC=41|ga_RIC=35

|win_CHA=10|PKwin_CHA=2|PKloss_CHA=3|loss_CHA=13|gf_CHA=39|ga_CHA=50

|win_RAL=8|PKwin_RAL=4|PKloss_RAL=3|loss_RAL=13|gf_RAL=34|ga_RAL=52

|win_JAC=4|PKwin_JAC=1|PKloss_JAC=1|loss_JAC=23|gf_JAC=28|ga_JAC=73

|col_Q=green2|text_Q=

|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|PKwin_header={{abbr|SW|Shootout win}}

|PKloss_header={{abbr|SL|Shootout loss}}

|PKwinpoints=1|PKlosspoints=0

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=NOL|name_NOL=New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers

|team2=NAS|name_NAS=Nashville Metros

|team3=ORL|name_ORL=Orlando Sundogs

|team4=MIL|name_MIL=Milwaukee Rampage

|team5=MIN|name_MIN=Minnesota Thunder

|team6=ATL|name_ATL=Atlanta Ruckus

|win_NOL=13|PKwin_NOL=3|PKloss_NOL=2|loss_NOL=10|gf_NOL=45|ga_NOL=42

|win_NAS=10|PKwin_NAS=7|PKloss_NAS=2|loss_NAS=9|gf_NAS=42|ga_NAS=34

|win_ORL=12|PKwin_ORL=0|PKloss_ORL=4|loss_ORL=12|gf_ORL=39|ga_ORL=40

|win_MIL=11|PKwin_MIL=3|PKloss_MIL=2|loss_MIL=12|gf_MIL=33|ga_MIL=36

|win_MIN=11|PKwin_MIN=2|PKloss_MIN=5|loss_MIN=10|gf_MIN=22|ga_MIN=30

|win_ATL=9|PKwin_ATL=3|PKloss_ATL=1|loss_ATL=15|gf_ATL=39|ga_ATL=48

|col_Q=green2|text_Q=

|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL PK

|PKwin_header={{abbr|SW|Shootout win}}

|PKloss_header={{abbr|SL|Shootout loss}}

|PKwinpoints=1|PKlosspoints=0

|res_col_header=Q

|team1=CAL|name_CAL=California Jaguars

|team2=SEA|name_SEA=Seattle Sounders

|team3=VAN|name_VAN=Vancouver 86ers

|team4=COL|name_COL=Colorado Foxes

|team5=OCZ|name_OCZ=Orange County Zodiac

|team6=ELP|name_ELP=El Paso Patriots

|win_CAL=17|PKwin_CAL=1|PKloss_CAL=0|loss_CAL=10|gf_CAL=48|ga_CAL=34

|win_SEA=16|PKwin_SEA=2|PKloss_SEA=3|loss_SEA=7|gf_SEA=42|ga_SEA=19

|win_VAN=15|PKwin_VAN=1|PKloss_VAN=1|loss_VAN=11|gf_VAN=50|ga_VAN=29

|win_COL=15|PKwin_COL=1|PKloss_COL=2|loss_COL=10|gf_COL=55|ga_COL=49

|win_OCZ=10|PKwin_OCZ=1|PKloss_OCZ=0|loss_OCZ=17|gf_OCZ=35|ga_OCZ=62

|win_ELP=5|PKwin_ELP=3|PKloss_ELP=3|loss_ELP=17|gf_ELP=30|ga_ELP=50

|col_Q=green2|text_Q=

|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q

|update=complete|source=

}}

{{football box

|date = September 3, 1997

|team1 = Rochester Raging Rhinos (NY)

|goals1 = Kevin Koetters {{yel|}}
Fuseini Dauda {{yel|}}
Andrew McKay {{yel|}}
Leon Minott {{yel|}}
Lenin Steenkamp {{yel|}}
Gustavo Villagra {{sent off|0|78}}

|goals2 = {{sent off|2|?|78}} Tom Lips
{{yel|}} Daniel Leon
{{yel|}} Flávio Ferri

|score = 0–0

|report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/136223977/?terms=Rhinos

|team2 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY)

|stadium = Frontier Field, Rochester, New York

| attendance = 5,160

| referee =

|penalties1= Mali Walton {{pengoal}}
Mike Kirmse {{pengoal}}
Nate Daligcon {{pengoal}}
Andrew McKay {{penmiss}}
Doug Miller {{penmiss}}
Fuseini Dauda {{penmiss}}
Chris Kennell {{penmiss}}

|penaltyscore=3–4

|penalties2= {{pengoal}} Daniel Leon
{{pengoal}} David Price
{{pengoal}} Laurence Piturro
{{penmiss}} Hector Wright
{{penmiss}} Ernest Inneh
{{penmiss}} Jim McElderry
{{pengoal}} Sal Leanti

}}

{{football box

|date = September 6, 1997

|team1 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY)

|goals1 = Carlos Ledesma {{Goal|62:26|pen.}}
Ernest Inneh {{sent off|0|29}}
Dahir Mohammed {{sent off|2|?|88}}
Travis Rinker {{yel|}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|7:43}} Nate Daligcon
{{sent off|2|?|82}} Leon Minott
{{yel|}} Fuseini Dauda
{{yel|}} Nate Houser
{{yel|}} Jimmy Glenn

|score = 1–1

|report = [https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/07/sports/rough-riders-gain-in-playoffs.html Report 1]
[https://www.newspapers.com/image/136226184/?terms=Rhinos Report 2]

|team2 = Rochester Raging Rhinos (NY)

|stadium = James M. Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, New York

| attendance = 4,361

| referee = |

|penalties1= Travis Rinker {{pengoal}}
Hector Wright {{pengoal}}
Daniel Leon {{pengoal}}

|penaltyscore=3–1

|penalties2= {{pengoal}} Mali Walton
{{penmiss}} Garth Miller
{{penmiss}} Nate Houser
{{penmiss}} Kevin Koetters

}}

Long Island advances to the Division final

{{football box

|date = September 5, 1997
8:00 PM (EST)

|team1 = Toronto Lynx (ON)

|goals1 = Terry St. Louis {{Goal|13}}
Peyvand Mossavat {{yel|31}}
Martin Dugas {{yel|42}}
Franco Spadafina {{sent off|0|43}}
Paul Stalteri {{yel|45}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|8}} Onandi Lowe
{{yel|13}} John Limniatis
{{sent off|0|25}} Onandi Lowe
{{Goal|62}} Mauro Biello

|score = 1–2

|report = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/lynx0049.htm

|team2 = Montreal Impact (QC)

|stadium = Varsity Stadium, Toronto

| attendance = 1,254

| referee = Tony Camacho (Canada) }}

{{football box

|date = September 7, 1997

|team1 = Montreal Impact (QC)

|goals1 = Darren Tilley {{Goal|17|pen.|25||26}}
Bill Sedgewick {{Goal|45}}

|goals2 =

|score = 4–0

|report =

|team2 = Toronto Lynx (ON)

|stadium = Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montreal

| attendance = 4,138

| referee = }}

Montreal advances to the Division final

----

{{football box

|date = September 5, 1997

|team1 = Richmond Kickers (VA)

|goals1 = Rob Ukrop {{Goal|63}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|23}} Robert Rosario
{{Goal|31}} Yari Allnutt

|score = 1–2

|report =

|team2 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|stadium = University of Richmond Stadium, Richmond, Virginia

|attendance = 1,362

|referee = }}

{{football box

|date = September 6, 1997

|team1 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|goals1 = Keiran Breslin {{Goal|32}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|14}} Dian Anguelov
{{Goal|72}} Brian Kamler
{{Goal|75}} Mario Lone
{{Goal|82}} Mac Cozier

|score = 1–4

|report =

|team2 = Richmond Kickers (VA)

|stadium = Simeon Stadium, High Point, North Carolina

|attendance = 1,560

|referee = }}

{{football box

|date = September 6, 1997

|team1 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|score = 0–0

|report =

|team2 = Richmond Kickers (VA)

|stadium = Simeon Stadium, High Point, North Carolina

|attendance = 1,560

|referee =

|penalties1=

|penaltyscore=3–1

|penalties2=

}}

Carolina advances to the Division final

{{football box

|date = September 5, 1997
7:30 PM (EST)

|team1 = Charleston Battery (CA)

|goals1 = Juan Castillo {{yel|38}}
Michael Anhaeuser {{yel|50}}
Patrick Olalere {{Goal|85}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|78}} Mark Waite

|score = 1–1

|report = http://www.charlestonbattery.com/1997/Hershey_1.htm

|team2 = Hershey Wildcats (PA)

|stadium = Stoney Field, Charleston, South Carolina

| attendance = 2,024

| referee = Roger Sill

|penalties1=

|penaltyscore=1–3

|penalties2=

}}

{{football box

|date = September 7, 1997
6:00 PM (EST)

|team1 = Hershey Wildcats (PA)

|goals1 = Lee Tschantret {{Goal|89}}

|goals2 = {{yel}} Juan Castillo
{{Goal|75}} Patrick Olalere

|score = 1–1

|report = http://www.charlestonbattery.com/1997/Hershey_2.htm

|team2 = Charleston Battery (CA)

| stadium = Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, Pennsylvania

| attendance = 2,104

| referee = Yanich Wejlak

|penalties1=

|penaltyscore=0–1

|penalties2=

}}

{{football box

|date = September 7, 1997
8:55 PM (EST)

|team1 = Hershey Wildcats (PA)

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|score = 0–0

|report = http://www.charlestonbattery.com/1997/Hershey_3.htm

|team2 = Charleston Battery (CA)

| stadium = Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, Pennsylvania

| attendance = 2,104

| referee = Yanich Wejlak

|penalties1=

|penaltyscore=4–2

|penalties2=

}}

Hershey advances to the Division final

----

{{football box

|date = September 4, 1997
7:45 PM (EST)

|team1 = Orlando Sundogs (FL)

|goals1 = Dylan Lewis {{sent off|2|?|34}}
Greg Brick {{Goal|54}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|12||23}} Stern John

|score = 1–2

|report = http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1997-09-05/sports/9709050243_1_sundogs-new-orleans-lewis

|team2 = New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (LA)

|stadium = Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida

| attendance =

| referee = Robert Mann (USA) }}

{{football box

|date = September 7, 1997
6:00 PM (EST)

|team1 = New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (LA)

|goals1 = Gabe Gentile {{Goal|2}}
Stern John {{Goal|10||89}}
Louie Smothermon {{Goal|23}}
Mickey Trotman {{Goal|39}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|29}} Sebastian Barnes
{{Goal|67}} Sheldon Lee

|score = 6–2

|report = http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1997-09-08/sports/9709080204_1_sundogs-soccer-new-orleans

|team2 = Orlando Sundogs (FL)

|stadium = Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans

| attendance = 653

| referee = }}

New Orleans advances to the Division final

{{football box

|date = September 4, 1997

|team1 = Nashville Metros (TN)

|goals1 = Tim Geltz {{Goal|2}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|81}} Nick Igel
{{Goal|85}} David Marshall

|score = 1–2

|report =

|team2 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI)

|stadium = Columbia Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

| attendance = 550 or 1,500

| referee = }}

{{football box

|date = September 7, 1997

|team1 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI)

|goals1 = Travis Roy {{Goal|27}}
Dan Stebbins {{Goal|81||83}}

|goals2 =

|score = 3–0

|report =

|team2 = Nashville Metros (TN)

|stadium = Uihlein Soccer Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

| attendance = 1,229

| referee = }}

Milwaukee advances to the Division final

----

{{football box

|date = September 4, 1997

|team1 = Colorado Foxes (CO)

|goals1 = Rivers Guthrie {{yel}}

|goals2 = {{yel}} Vicente Figueroa
{{Goal|20}} Erik Storkson
{{Goal|26}} Mike Gailey
{{Goal|84|pen.}} David Hoggan

|score = 0–3

|report = http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/97/september4.html

|team2 = Seattle Sounders (WA)

|stadium = Mile High Greyhound Park, Commerce City, Colorado

| attendance = 786

| referee = Rudy Bettmann (USA) }}

{{football box

|date = September 6, 1997

|team1 = Seattle Sounders (WA)

|goals1 = Henry Gutierrez {{yel}}
Vicente Figueroa {{yel}}
Vicente Figueroa {{Goal|70}}
Esmundo Rodriguez {{Goal|89}}

|goals2 = {{yel}} Chad Ashton
{{sent off|2|87|88}} Ray Tomlin

|score = 2–0

|report = http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/97/september6.html

|team2 = Colorado Foxes (CO)

|stadium = Memorial Stadium, Seattle

| attendance = 6,927

| referee = Mohammad Zarrabi-Kashani (USA)

}}

Seattle advances to the Division final

{{football box

|date = September 5, 1997

|team1 = Vancouver 86ers (BC)

|goals1 = Domenic Mobilio {{Goal|2|pen.}}
{{Goal|54|pen.}}
Steve Kindel {{Goal|35}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|86}} Paul Holocher

|score = 4–1

|report =

|team2 = California Jaguars (CA)

|stadium = Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia

| attendance = 2,716

| referee = }}

{{football box

|date = September 7, 1997

|team1 = California Jaguars (CA)

|goals1 = Mark Baena {{Goal|55}}
Rick Iversen {{Goal|89}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|22}} Steve Kindel
{{Goal|73}} Domenic Mobilio

|score = 2–2

|report =

|team2 = Vancouver 86ers (BC)

|stadium = Salinas Sports Complex, Salinas, California

| attendance = 1,859

| referee =

|penalties1=

|penaltyscore=1–2

|penalties2=

}}

Vancouver advances to the Division final

{{football box

|date = September 12, 1997

|team1 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY)

|goals1 = Hector Wright {{Goal|4}}
Flavio Ferri {{Goal|55}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|5}} Lloyd Barker

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Montreal Impact (QC)

|stadium = James M. Shuart Stadium, Hempstead, New York

| attendance = 3,585

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = September 14, 1997

|team1 = Montreal Impact (QC)

|goals1 = Mauro Biello {{Goal|34}}
Lyndon Hooper {{Goal|77}}

|goals2 =

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team2 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY)

|stadium = Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montreal

| attendance = 6,679

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = September 14, 1997

|team1 = Montreal Impact (QC)

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|score = 0–0

|report =

|team2 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY)

|stadium = Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montreal

| attendance = 6,679

| referee =

|penalties1=

|penaltyscore=1–4

|penalties2=

}}

{{football box

|date = September 12, 1997

|team1 = Charleston Battery (SC)

|goals1 = Todd Miller {{Goal|37}}
Juan Castillo {{Goal|52|pen.}}
Alvin Boisson {{Goal|53}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|43}} Danny Care
{{Goal|54}} John Ball
{{Goal|81}} Mike Saunders

|score = 3–3

|report =

|team2 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|stadium = Stoney Field, Charleston, South Carolina

| attendance = 1,422

| referee =

|penalties1=

|penaltyscore=4–3

|penalties2= }}

{{football box

|date = September 14, 1997

|team1 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|goals1 = Maher Atta {{Goal|29}}
Yari Allnutt {{Goal|89}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|27|pen.}} Andy Schmetzer

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Charleston Battery (SC)

|stadium = A.J. Simeon Stadium, High Point, North Carolina

| attendance = 1,506

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = September 14, 1997

|team1 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|goals1 = Ed Radwanski {{Goal|12}}

|goals2 =

|score = 1–0

|report =

|team2 = Charleston Battery (SC)

|stadium = A.J. Simeon Stadium, High Point, North Carolina

| attendance = 1,506

| referee =

}}

{{football box

|date = September 12, 1997

|team1 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI)

|goals1 = Nick Igel {{Goal|81}}, {{golden goal|92}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|9}} Ricardo Blanchard

|score = 2–1 (OT)

|report =

|team2 = New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (LA)

|stadium = Uihlein Soccer Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

| attendance = 2,818

| referee = |

}}

{{football box

|date = September 14, 1997

|team1 = New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (LA)

|goals1 = Stern John {{Goal|64|pen.}}
Gabe Jones {{Goal|67}}
Mickey Trotman {{Goal|78}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|51|pen.|78|pen.}} Jon Szczepanski
{{Goal|60}} Dan Stebbins
{{Goal|74}} David Marshall

|score = 3–4

|report =

|team2 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI)

|stadium = Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana

| attendance = 898

| referee = |

}}

{{football box

|date = September 12, 1997

|team1 = Vancouver 86ers (BC)

|goals1 = Craig Dalrymple {{yel}}
Domenic Mobilio {{Goal|62}}
Nico Berg {{Goal|70}}
Chris Clarke {{Goal|86}}

|goals2 = {{yel}} Henry Gutierrez
{{yel}} Kieran Barton
{{yel}} Vicente Figueroa

|score = 3–0

|report = http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/97/september12.html

|team2 = Seattle Sounders (WA)

|stadium = Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia

| attendance = 3,607

| referee = Rene Perott (Canada)

}}

{{football box

|date = September 14, 1997

|team1 = Seattle Sounders (WA)

|goals1 = Neil Megson {{yel}}
Henry Gutierrez {{yel}}

|goals2 = {{yel}} Chris Franks
{{yel}} Richie Sumner

|score = 0–0

|aet=yes

|report = [http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/97/september14a.html Report 1] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/496081905/?match=1&terms=Vancouver%2086ers Report 2]

|team2 = Vancouver 86ers (BC)

|stadium = Memorial Stadium, Seattle, Washington

| attendance = 4,820

| referee =

|penalties1= Bernie James {{pengoal}}
David Hoggan {{penmiss}}
Henry Gutierrez {{penmiss}}
Esmundo Rodriguez {{penmiss}}

|penaltyscore=1–0

|penalties2= {{penmiss}} Domenic Mobilio
{{penmiss}} Ollie Heald
{{penmiss}} Jason Jordan
{{penmiss}} Paul Dailly
{{penmiss}} Chris Franks

}}

{{football box

|date = September 14, 1997

|team1 = Seattle Sounders (WA)

|goals1 = Erik Storkson {{Goal|29}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|7}} Domenic Mobilio

|score = 1–1

|aet=yes

|report = [http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/97/september14a.html Report 1] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/496081905/?match=1&terms=Vancouver%2086ers Report 2]

|team2 = Vancouver 86ers (BC)

|stadium = Memorial Stadium, Seattle, Washington

| attendance = 4,820

| referee =

|penalties1= Bernie James {{penmiss}}
David Hoggan {{penmiss}}
Vicente Figueroa {{pengoal}}
Esmundo Rodriguez {{penmiss}}

|penaltyscore=1–3

|penalties2= {{pengoal}} Domenic Mobilio
{{pengoal}} Ian Clarke
{{pengoal}} Steve Kindel
{{penmiss}} Doug Muirhead

}}

{{football box

|date = September 19, 1997

|team1 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY)

|goals1 = Laurence Piturro {{Goal|71}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|72||89|pen.}} Brian Loftin

|score = 1–2

|report =

|team2 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|stadium = Hofstra Stadium, Hempstead, New York

| attendance = 1,044

| referee = }}

{{football box

|date = September 21, 1997
6:00 PM EST

|team1 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|goals1 = Brian Loftin {{Goal|84}}
Laurence Piturro {{Goal|86|o.g.}}

|goals2 =

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team2 = Long Island Rough Riders (NY)

|stadium = A.J. Simeon Stadium, High Point, North Carolina

| attendance = 2,105

| referee = }}

The Carolina Dynamo advance.

{{football box

|date = September 19, 1997

|team1 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI)

|goals1 = Dan Stebbins {{Goal|65||82||87}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|51}} Domenic Mobilio

|score = 3–1

|report =

|team2 = Vancouver 86ers (BC)

|stadium = Uihlein Soccer Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

| attendance = 2,888

| referee = }}

{{football box

|date = September 21, 1997
5:00 PM

|team1 = Vancouver 86ers (BC)

|goals1 = Domenic Mobilio {{Goal|63|pen.}}

|goals2 =

|score = 1–0

|report =

|team2 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI)

|stadium = Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia

| attendance = 4,323

| referee = }}

{{football box

|date = September 21, 1997
7:00 PM

|team1 = Vancouver 86ers (BC)

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|score = 0–0

|report = https://www.newspapers.com/image/503365009/?match=1&terms=Vancouver%2086ers

|team2 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI)

|stadium = Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia

| attendance = 4,323

| referee = Kevin Skinner

|penalties1= {{penmiss}}
{{penmiss}}
{{penmiss}}

|penaltyscore=0–3

|penalties2= {{pengoal}} Dan Stebbins
{{pengoal}} Eddy Berdusco
{{pengoal}} Nick Igel

}}

The Milwaukee Rampage advance, winning two out of three games.

{{football box

|date = September 27, 1997
8:30 PM

|team1 = Milwaukee Rampage (WI)

|goals1 = Dan Stebbins {{Goal|65}}

|goals2 = {{Goal|80}} Brian Loftin

|score = 1–1

|aet=yes

|report = http://www.socceramerica.com/article/17785/rampage-does-it.html

|team2 = Carolina Dynamo (NC)

|stadium = Uihlein Soccer Park Milwaukee

| attendance = 6,381

| referee =

|penalties1= Jon Szczepanski {{pengoal}}
Dan Stebbins {{pengoal}}
Nick Igel {{pengoal}}

|penaltyscore=3–0

|penalties2= {{penmiss}} Maher Atta
{{penmiss}} Yari Allnutt
{{penmiss}} Ed Radwanski

}}

MVP: Carmine Isacco, Milwaukee Rampage

• MVP: Doug Miller
• Leading goal scorer: Doug Miller
• Leading goalkeeper: Dusty Hudock
• Rookie of the Year: Stern John
• Coach of the Year: Bob Lilley
• First Team All League
• Goalkeeper: Dusty Hudock
• Defenders: John Limniatis, Scott Schweitzer, Mark Watson, Travis Rinker
• Midfielders: Yari Allnutt, Mauro Biello, Garret Kusch
• Forwards: Mark Baena, Doug Miller, Stern John
• Second Team All League
• Goalkeeper: Paolo Ceccarelli
• Defenders: Don Gramenz, Robert Rosario, Bill Sedgewick, Dian Anguelov
• Midfielders: John Smith, Nick DeSantis, Domenic Mobilio
• Forwards: Steve Patterson, Darren Tilley, Mike Gailey
• Organization of the Year: Rochester Raging Rhinos
• Executive of the Year: Todd Smith, Hershey Wildcats
• Fair Play Award: Colorado Foxes

{{Reflist}}

• [http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/1997/results97.htm A-League 1997 Season]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101218145254/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1997.html#aleague The Year in American Soccer – 1997]
• [https://www.rsssf.org/usadave/usisl.html United Soccer Leagues (RSSSF)]

{{USL seasons|defunct}}

{{USSF D2 soccer seasons}}

{{Canada D2 soccer seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:A-League 1997}}

2

Category:1997 in Canadian soccer

1997