Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers was a professional soccer team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1977 to 1983. They played their home matches at Lockhart Stadium.
| Full name | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 (Previously Miami Toros) | ||
| Dissolved | 1983 (rebranded as Minnesota Strikers) | ||
| Stadium | Lockhart Stadium Fort Lauderdale, Florida West Palm Beach Auditorium (indoor 1980–81) Pembroke Pines, Florida | ||
| Capacity | 20,450/15,532 (indoor) | ||
| Owner | Elizabeth Robbie | ||
| League | North American Soccer League | ||
|
| |||
Founded in 1967 as the Washington Darts, the team relocated to Florida in 1972. They were known as the Miami Gatos (1972) and the Miami Toros (1973–1976) before moving to nearby Fort Lauderdale. In addition to their time in the NASL outdoor league, the Strikers also played two indoor seasons while in Fort Lauderdale, at the West Palm Beach Auditorium for the 1979–80 season and the Hollywood Sportatorium for the 1980–81 season. After the 1983 season, the Strikers moved to Minneapolis and became the Minnesota Strikers. Among their players during its time in Fort Lauderdale were football legends George Best and Gerd Müller.