American soccer writing, history & data.
Francisco Marcos, owner and operator of Soccer Management International, an agency representing a few Major Indoor Soccer League players, formed the Southwest Indoor Soccer League. Marcos formed the SISL to eventually serve as a developmental league for the MISL and to help local indoor soccer area owners-operators drum up interest in indoor soccer for their cities. To get the league rolling, a $2000 entry fee was required from each franchise to help Marcos, who served as the league's executive director, structure the framework of a league office in Dallas.
The SISL was an amateur league. Players were not paid salaries but were compensated for expenses. Franchise rosters included an array of current or former college players, former professional players, and some players from club leagues. Teams were restricted to one over-30 player and a minimum of 10 American citizens on their 20-player roster.
The initial plan for the 1986-87 season was for each team to play a 20-game schedule starting late December and running through February. Five teams made up the initial season: F.C. Outlaws of Albuquerque; Amarillo Challengers; Genesis S.C. of Garland, Texas; Oklahoma City Warriors; and Lubbock Lazers.
The Wichita Argyles were made an associate member for the season which was scheduled to play eight exhibition games against SISL teams. The team would be treated as a returning franchise if it joined the next season when the league expected to have 12 clubs.
Genesis S.C. won the first league beating second-place Lubbock 7-2 in the championship match.
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