In 1966 a group of sports entrepreneurs, formed a consortium known as the North American Soccer League (shortly after renamed the United Soccer Association). The USA originally intended to launch its league in the spring of 1968. However, a rival organisation, the National Professional Soccer League, which secured a TV contract from CBS, announced it was ready to launch in 1967. Not wanting to lose ground to its rival, the USA decided to fast track its launch. Without any players of its own, it opted to import whole teams from Europe and South America. It was intended that these teams would represent the franchises during the inaugural season, giving them time to build their own squads for the following season. Altogether seven British teams (Stoke City, Dundee United, Glentoran, Wolves, Hibernian, Sunderland and Aberdeen) and Irish club Shamrock Rovers competed in the League, with Italy, Uruguay, Brazil and the Netherlands also being represented. Star players included Jim Baxter (Sunderland), Colin Stein (Hibernian) and George Eastham (Stoke City). Of the twelve teams, the Los Angeles Wolves, represented by Wolverhampton Wanderers and featuring Derek Dougan, the Cleveland Stokers, represented by Stoke City and featuring Gordon Banks, and the Washington Whips, represented by Aberdeen, emerged as the strongest sides. The competition was intense with Billy Bentley (Stoke) and Danny Trainor (Glentoran representing Detroit) were sent off for fighting. In Toronto, the game between Hibernian and Gagliari had to be abandoned nine minutes from time when thousands of irate Italian fans stormed onto the pitch and attacked the referee who gave the Scottish club its second goal from a quickly taken freekick. The competition was separated into two divisions. Each team played 12 games over 46 days between the end of May and the start of July, with the division winners qualifying for the final in July. The Western Division champions Los Angeles Wolves, by the flip of a coin, won the right to host the championship game against the Eastern Division champion Washington Whips. The match drew 17,824 to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Wolves won the championship beating the Whips, 6-5, after 36 minutes of extra-time. The game was unique in that it lasted 133 minutes, because rules stipulated that should the scores be level after 90 minutes, teams would play on until a goal was scored. The game produced 11 goals, including four in three minutes, three penalties, and one sending-off. Wolves won 6-5. The ‘golden goal’ was an own goal by Aberdeen’s Ally Shewin. During the postgame ceremonies, Wolves owner Jack Kent Cooke applauded the final. “There isn’t a writer in Hollywood, there never has been one, who could have written a script for the game tonight. Next year and the year after that and all the years to come, we’re going to be proudly privileged to bring you wonderful fans major league soccer here in Los Angeles. Thank you so much.” As it turned out, major league soccer would have to wait a few decades.