Short shorts, big hair and penalty shots – sorta.

That was the NASL.

The NASL “Shootout,” which made a small comeback in the early years of MLS, was one of various changes to the sport intended to Americanize the idea of soccer in the US. For many, including former NASL Player Of The Year and Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, the idea was embraced, loved and advocated for on an international scale. For others … not so much.

Nevertheless, I ran across this video earlier today and had to share the experience. For one, you can feel the tension in the crowd as the shootout unfolded. But if you want something a bit more surprising, try this one; you are looking at a capacity crowd in RFK Stadium folks. That is how big the allure of soccer and the New York Cosmos was.

Check out the video and get your history on!