[1] Along with the Sockers, the Chicago Sting, Minnesota Strikers and New York Cosmos formally made the leap in late August.
Each successive round would see the winners reseeded, similar to the NHL playoff format used for almost 20 years.
[4] The league would scramble to fill out the schedule,[5] but only the Wichita Wings would play an uneven number of games.
The Strikers would make a run from the wildcard series to the league semifinals, only falling to San Diego in a decisive fifth game.
Despite the Cosmos leaving the league in mid-season, each team played their scheduled 48 games with the exception of Wichita.
**San Diego won the shootout 4-3, but Minnesota appealed the result, as the Sockers used an ineligible player.