Soccer: Comparing NASL and MLS Attendance Figures 15 Seasons In

By 1982, the National American Soccer League seemed to be spiraling downwards, seeing both the number of teams decreasing and the average attendance figures plunge. However, in 1983 the NASL picked up a little "bump" and average attendance grew slightly to 13,258.

Likewise, Major League Soccer attendance in 2010 received a "bump" up as well after seeing attendance drop in 2008 and 2009.  But unlike the NASL in the early to mid 80s, Major League Soccer has continued to expand the number of teams.

Other Notes

The 1983 NASL Seattle Sounder averaged 8,181 in attendance compared to 36,173 in 2010, just going to prove that Seattle wasn't always a soccer city.

The New York Cosmos massive crowds in 1978 (avg 47,856) has dropped to a barely acceptable 27,242 a game by 1983.  Still good enough to hold onto 3rd place when comparing 2010 MLS with 1983 NASL figures.

Eight of the top 10 average attendance teams on the head-to-head table are MLS teams with only 1983's Vancouver Whitecaps Soccer News Topics and NY Cosmos coming in at second and third.

Seven of the 10 Lowest attended teams are 1983 NASL teams with 1983's San Diego Sockers sitting rock-bottom with 4,685.  Only 2010's Kansas City, FC Dallas Soccer News Topics and San Jose join the bottom-feeders party in the head-to-head comparison.

Individual Figures from NASL Archives and MLSsoccer

Seattle MLS 2010 36,173
Vancouver NASL 83 29,164
NY Cosmos NASL 83 27,242
Los Angeles MLS 2010 21,437
Toronto FC MLS 2010 20,453
Philadelphia MLS 2010 19,254
New York RB MLS 2010 18,441
Houston MLS 2010 17,310
Real Salt Lake MLS 2010 17,095
Leaguewide MLS 2010 16,675
Chicago MLS 2010 15,814
Columbus MLS 2010 14,642
Chivas USA MLS 2010 14,576
D.C. United MLS 2010 14,532
Colorado MLS 2010 13,329
Leaguewide NASL 83 13,258
Team America NASL 83 13,002
New England MLS 2010 12,987
Tulsa Roughnecks NASL 83 12,415
Golden Bay E'Quakes NASL 83 11,933
Toronto Blizzard NASL 83 11,630
Tampa Bay Rowdies NASL 83 11,172
Chicago Sting NASL 83 10,937
Ft.Lauderdale Strikers NASL 83 10,829
FC Dallas MLS 2010 10,815
Kansas City MLS 2010 10,287
San Jose MLS 2010 9,659
Seattle Sounders NASL 83 8,181
Montreal Manic NASL 83 7,910
San Diego Sockers NASL 83 4,685