50 years ago, the North American Soccer League was launched in the USA. Former players remember the hype-and-chaos surrounding the rapid rise and dramatic fall of the NASL.

Exactly 50 years ago, the North American Soccer League was launched in the USA. During its heyday in the 1970s it attracted some of the biggest names in the world game like Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, Gerd Müller, George Best and Pele. This is the story of the hype-and-chaos surrounding the rapid rise and dramatic fall of the NASL featuring former players Rodney Marsh, Bob Rigby and Chris Dangerfield.

(Photo by Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)