Washington Post Ad 1978

Melee over Pele

I saw Pele's final regular season NASL game as a 12 year old. The Cosmos, who had defeated the Dips, 8-2, less than 10 days prior did not dress Georgio Chinaglia or Franz Beckenbauer. My most vivid memory from that match came in the final seconds as a mass of humanity descended on the great one in hopes of claiming his jersey.

He zigged, then zagged, shaked and baked, sending the jersey in one direction as he dashed in the other. Two Diplomats ended on top of the jersey, and each other. The real story would be how they resolved who would retain possession of the prize.

I am still learning the video editor software I bought a few months back, and apologize for the delayed beginning of the clip. Move to the 33 second mark to see the incident.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i12ihrz0tg4

Program Surprise

Fans who attened the June 6, 1975, Diplomats game against Toronto Metros-Croatia found two facsimile autographed photos inside. One was of Randy Horton, Dip midfielder and 1972 NASL MVP. The other was of a German soccer fan who had recently been in the news. After his playing days were over, Horton went on to have his own career in politics, serving as a cabinet minister in his native Bermuda.

Dips Shootout

Fast Forward to the 1:00 mark.

A Chance Meeting with Paul Cannell

Paul Cannell played hard and hit the DC bar scene harder. He once gave an interview to the Washington Star at Tramps, a bar in Georgetown. Tom C. from Bethesda, Maryland, has his own

Cannell pub story. "The Sign of the Whale was a popular after-match spot and I remember approaching striker Paul Cannell to shake his hand and talk soccer, but he looked frightened and looked frantically for an exit. 'Why the alarm? I just want to shake your hand,' I said. He sheepishly admitted that he took me for the cuckolded of one of his many 'birds.'

Cannell accosts Gordon Banks at RFK Stadium, 1978.

Final Tour

In November, 1980, only days before the NASL would euthanize the franchise, the Dips traveled to Japan for 5 friendly matches.

Ownership Change

Circa mid-May, 1975.