2014 Review

The San Antonio Scorpions were crowned NASL Champions when the club knocked off the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, 2-1, in The Championship Final. That season, The Championship was introduced, which is the league's four-team postseason tournament.

The Scorpions reached the postseason after winning the Fall Season and Minnesota United won the Spring campaign. The Strikers and New York Cosmos had the league's next bext two records to qualify. 

The Strikers won in dramatic fashion, ouusting Minnesota in a penalty shootout and the Scorpions needed extra time to defeat the Cosmos.

Along with an exciting finish to the season, the league welcomed two new clubs, Indy Eleven and Ottawa Fury FC, in 2014. 

2014 AWARD WINNERS

NASL Golden Ball – Miguel Ibarra, Minnesota United
Ibarra scored eight goals and had five assists and was voted the league's MVP by the media to claim the honor.

NASL Golden Boot – Christian Ramirez, Minnesota United
Ramirez tallied 20 goals to lead the league in scoring during the combined NASL Spring and Fall Seasons. 

NASL Golden Glove – John Smits, FC Edmonton
Smits started and played in 20 matches across the NASL Spring and Fall Seasons, posting a record of six wins, five draws and nine losses, while earning six shutouts. Smits narrowly claimed the award with his 0.90 goals against average. Goalkeepers had to play a minimum of 10 games in 2014 to be eligible for the honor.

NASL Fair Play Award- Tampa Bay Rowdies
Awarded to the team with the best discipline record in 2014, based on fewest red and yellow cards.

Coach of the Year – Manny Lagos, Minnesota United
Lagos led the Loons to the NASL Spring Season title and best overall record in the league in 2014

Goal of the Year – Christian Ramirez, Minnesota United
Ramirez's acrobatic bicycle kick earned him the Goal of the Year award selected by fan vote on NASL.com.

NASL BEST XI